Science and Society Group

School students studying the heart at the Hull York Medical School-Science Trail 2005

The Science and Society Group explores public engagement with science ideas, in order to co-ordinate science engagement programmes, and assist inter-departmental collaboration for public engagement.

Helping to meet the University's aims

The Science and Society Group seeks to:

  • explore new and innovative ways for scientists to interact with the public
  • follow a widening participation agenda
  • profile the University's science research to the local community
  • increase opportunities for people of all ages and from all sectors of society to engage with research and researchers
  • encourage young people to consider science at university and as a career
  • explore new ways of raising the University's science presence in York and the region
  • profile the value of the University to the local community by showcasing science research
  • be a forum for the sharing of ideas and information about science
  • encourage interdisciplinary contacts in the sciences. 

The University's Widening Participation Strategy

The University’s Widening Participation Department is represented on the group and their strategy is an important element of the group’s agenda. Some valuable synergies have been established or extended between the department and other groups of people within the group. In particular, the relationships with the National Science Learning Centre (delivering Continuing Professional Development [CPD]) at widening participation events), with Science City York and with University science departments have been further developed.

The group has helped to encourage partnership working outside of, and within, the University, and has supported the Widening Participation Department in developing and delivering a range of activities such as:

  • Masterclasses in Biology for disadvantaged, gifted and talented Year 8 students in the City of York
  • Masterclasses in Physics for A level students at York College
  • Science awareness events for disadvantaged students within Leeds LEA
  • ‘Experience Science in HE' residential for disadvantaged, gifted and talented students within Leeds LEA. This has included CPD for teachers employed in attendees' schools/colleges
  • Hosting a 'Space Exploration' competition for Year 8 to 10 pupils

The inclusion of the Widening Participation Office in the Science and Society Group has proved to be beneficial to the Office, but also to the group as a whole. The group has helped to establish a more cohesive approach to the University’s attempts to widen participation in science subjects and, through it, hundreds of young people have benefited in a variety of ways.

The relationships developed in the group will continue to inform the organisation of future events.

Meeting Government targets - 10-year Science and Innovation Investment Framework 2004-2014

The Government's 10-year Science and Innovation Investment Framework recognises that harnessing innovation in Britain is its key to improving the country's future wealth creation prospects. The Government's ambition is for the UK to be a key knowledge hub in the global economy, with a reputation not only for outstanding scientific and technological discovery, but also as a world leader in turning that knowledge into new products and services.

One of the ambitions for UK science and innovation outlined in the Framework is to ensure a strong supply of scientists, engineers and technologists by achieving, amongst other things, a step change in:

  • the quality of science teachers and lecturers in every school, college and university
  • the results for students studying science at GCSE level
  • the numbers choosing SET subjects in post-16 education and in higher education

Another ambition outlined is to achieve confidence and increased awareness across UK society in scientific research and its innovative applications.

Research Councils UK (RCUK) Science in Society Strategy

The RCUK's Science in Society Strategy has been formulated in response to the Government's 10-Year Science and Innovation Investment Framework. It includes the following aims:

  • to secure and sustain a supply of future scientists, engineers, technicians and mathematicians
  • to support the science base which is critical to the UK economy
  • to engage young people with contemporary research to enhance their experience of science, encouraging more to pursue science studies beyond 16 and follow R & D careers and enabling more to act as informed citizens
  • to encourage researchers funded by the Councils to engage with the public and to participate in activities that benefit the relationship between science and society, and support and reward those who do so.  
 

Who to contact

Sarah Mitchell
sarah.mitchell@york.ac.uk
ext 4633