A new publication from Research Councils UK aims to encourage researchers to more actively engage with the public.
Professor Alan Thorpe (Chair, Research Councils UK executive group) writes in his foreword:
Public engagement can provide substantial benefits to the researchers involved in engaging the public, as well as providing a major contribution to society. Engaging the public can also improve the quality of research and its impact, by widening research horizons. We achieve this through involving, listening and interacting with the public (from science communication in science centres or festivals, to consultation and public dialogue).
The report is free to download from the RCUK website.