ABSTRACT
American scientists, through their research institutes and centers, are taking part in a broad range of different communication activities that might contribute to public engagement with science and technology. This activity is occurring despite a lack of national policy, but survey respondents (n = 230) representing a range of different types of academic institutes and centers report both similar types of activities and similar perspectives on public engagement. Public lectures remain the most common type of activity but are just one of the many different face-to-face, mediated, and online ways that the surveyed scientific organizations were attempting to communicate with their stakeholders. The survey also found generally positive views about the audiences with whom the organizations are communicating, including a widespread belief that many potential audience members want to contribute to the advancement of science. In contrast, there was also widespread concern about trust in science. The common rationale that respondents gave for their institutes’ or centers’ engagement effort is simply a desire to share results. Overall, the survey suggests that the participating organizations feel successful in their current efforts. There is also, however, a clear desire for additional communication resources.
