Managed by Ricardo-AEA on behalf of the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS)www.sciencewise-erc.org.uk 1

Sciencewise webinar – Co-funded public dialogue projectsJames Tweed, Sciencewise Projects Manager

6 June 2013

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Managed by Ricardo-AEA on behalf of the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS)www.sciencewise-erc.org.uk

INTRODUCTION TO SCIENCEWISE

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Managed by Ricardo-AEA on behalf of the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS)www.sciencewise-erc.org.uk

What is public dialogue?

Public dialogue is defined by the Sciencewise-ERC as a ‘two-way’ conversation between policy makers and scientists on the one hand, and the public on the other. It aims to find out the public views, which may require legislation. 

 

It does not seek to find out people’s views on a range of policy options that have already been developed. Rather, it aims to find out people’s hopes, fears and aspirations about potential new areas of science and technology. 

 

It does this by taking place ‘upstream’, in other words before key policy decisions are made, to ensure that the outcomes are able to have some influence and make a difference.  

 

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Crucially, public dialogue needs a number of other key ingredients – the involvement of experts and the space to allow people to discuss and debate the issues, deliberate over time, and come back together again for further discussion. 

Most importantly, public dialogue needs to have a policy ‘home’ and be linked to a clear policy issue so that it can make a difference to real decisions.

Pubic Dialogue is highly valuable when:• Policy is still at an early stage of development

• Issues are highly contentious

• There is potentially strong public interest

• Transparency is essential

• Public questions, concerns and aspirations need to be understood and built in alongside technical expertise and stakeholder views .

 

Managed by Ricardo-AEA on behalf of the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS)www.sciencewise-erc.org.uk

Public dialogue…

Public dialogue is… Public dialogue is not…

Independent and unbiased A replacement for Government decision making

Structured and deliberative Market research

Inclusive of key perspectives

A means to persuade

Broadly representative of public through recruitment

A talking shop

Designed and customised A replacement for other evidence-based processes

"You can’t expect any drugs policy to have long-term success unless you take people with you. If you cut across the grain of the public instinct, it’s disastrous. Engaging with people should help us devise policies which are acceptable and sustainable." Academy of Medical Sciences

Managed by Ricardo-AEA on behalf of the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS)www.sciencewise-erc.org.uk

WHAT MIGHT A PUBLIC DIALOGUE PROJECT LOOK LIKE

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Time (ideally from 12 to 24 months, depending on the novel/challenging nature of the

issue)

Agree broad parameters for dialogue

Cross Government Group

Key

Cross GovernmentGroup

Time (ideally from 12 to 24 months, depending on the novel/challenging nature of the

issue)

Agree broad parameters for dialogue

Agree specific objectives with key stakeholders and create steering group

Cross Government Group

Steering/Oversight Group

Key

Cross GovernmentGroup

Steering/OversightGroup

Time (ideally from 12 to 24 months, depending on the novel/challenging nature of the

issue)

Agree broad parameters for dialogue

Agree specific objectives with key stakeholders and create steering group

Dialogue and evaluation commissioned

Cross Government Group

Steering/Oversight Group

Commissioning Team

Key

Cross GovernmentGroup

Steering/OversightGroup

CommissioningTeam

Time (ideally from 12 to 24 months, depending on the novel/challenging nature of the

issue)

Agree broad parameters for dialogue

Agree specific objectives with key stakeholders and create steering group

Dialogue and evaluation commissioned

Kickoff, media meeting

Meetings and activities with the dialogue delivery organization

Cross Government Group

Steering/Oversight Group

Commissioning Team

Evaluation

Communications and Learning Meetings

Key

Cross GovernmentGroup

Steering/OversightGroup

CommissioningTeam

Evaluation

Communications and Learning Meetings

Time (ideally from 12 to 24 months, depending on the novel/challenging nature of the

issue)

Agree broad parameters for dialogue

Agree specific objectives with key stakeholders and create steering group

Dialogue and evaluation commissioned

Kickoff, media meeting

Stakeholder workshop to advise on questions materials for dialogue and get buy-in

Meetings and activities with the dialogue delivery organization

Cross Government Group

Steering/Oversight Group

Commissioning Team Stakeholder workshop

Evaluation

Communications and Learning Meetings

Key

Meetings and activities with the dialogue delivery organisation

Cross GovernmentGroup

Steering/OversightGroup

CommissioningTeam

Stakeholderworkshop

Evaluation

Communications and Learning Meetings

Time (ideally from 12 to 24 months, depending on the novel/challenging nature of the

issue)

Agree broad parameters for dialogue

Agree specific objectives with key stakeholders and create steering group

Dialogue and evaluation commissioned

Kickoff, media meeting

Stakeholder workshop to advise on questions materials for dialogue and get buy-in

Policy team and delivery agents produce materials, process and recruit participants

Meetings and activities with the dialogue delivery organization

Cross Government Group

Steering/Oversight Group

Commissioning Team Stakeholder workshop

Evaluation

Communications and Learning Meetings

Key

Meetings and activities with the dialogue delivery organisation

Cross GovernmentGroup

Steering/OversightGroup

CommissioningTeam

Stakeholderworkshop

Evaluation

Communications and Learning Meetings

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Time (ideally from 12 to 24 months, depending on the novel/challenging nature of the

issue)

Agree broad parameters for dialogue

Agree specific objectives with key stakeholders and create steering group

Dialogue and evaluation commissioned

Kickoff, media meeting

Stakeholder workshop to advise on questions materials for dialogue and get buy-in

Policy team and delivery agents produce materials, process and recruit participants

Dialogue workshops - using steering group and stakeholder experts, with government board attending where appropriate

Meetings and activities with the dialogue delivery organization

Cross Government Group

Steering/Oversight Group

Commissioning Team Stakeholder workshop

Evaluation

Communications and Learning Meetings

Public Dialogue workshops with potential to involve Steering group, cross government group, and stakeholders

Key

Dialogue workshops – using steering group and stakeholder experts, with government boardattending where appropriate

Meetings and activities with the dialogue delivery organisation

Cross GovernmentGroup

Steering/OversightGroup

CommissioningTeam

Stakeholderworkshop

Evaluation

Communications and Learning Meetings

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Time (ideally from 12 to 24 months, depending on the novel/challenging nature of the

issue)

Agree broad parameters for dialogue

Agree specific objectives with key stakeholders and create steering group

Dialogue and evaluation commissioned

Media meeting

Stakeholder workshop to advise on questions materials for dialogue and get buy-in

Policy team and delivery agents produce materials, process and recruit participants

Dialogue workshops - using steering group and stakeholder experts, with government board attending where appropriate Report launch

Meetings and activities with the dialogue delivery organization

Cross Government Group

Steering/Oversight Group

Commissioning Team Stakeholder workshop

Evaluation

Communications and Learning Meetings

Public Dialogue workshops with potential to involve Steering group, cross government group, and stakeholders

Key

Dialogue workshops – using steering group and stakeholder experts, with government boardattending where appropriate

Meetings and activities with the dialogue delivery organisation

Cross GovernmentGroup

Steering/OversightGroup

CommissioningTeam

Stakeholderworkshop

Evaluation

Communications and Learning Meetings

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Time (ideally from 12 to 24 months, depending on the novel/challenging nature of the

issue)

Agree broad parameters for dialogue

Agree specific objectives with key stakeholders and create steering group

Dialogue and evaluation commissioned

Media meeting

Stakeholder workshop to advise on questions materials for dialogue and get buy-in

Policy team and delivery agents produce materials, process and recruit participants

Dialogue workshops - using steering group and stakeholder experts, with government board attending where appropriate Report launch

Wash up meeting and case studies

Meetings and activities with the dialogue delivery organization

Cross Government Group

Steering/Oversight Group

Commissioning Team Stakeholder workshop

Evaluation

Communications and Learning Meetings

Public Dialogue workshops with potential to involve Steering group, cross government group, and stakeholders

Key

Dialogue workshops – using steering group and stakeholder experts, with government boardattending where appropriate

Meetings and activities with the dialogue delivery organisation

Cross GovernmentGroup

Steering/OversightGroup

CommissioningTeam

Stakeholderworkshop

Evaluation

Communications and Learning Meetings

Managed by Ricardo-AEA on behalf of the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS)www.sciencewise-erc.org.uk

SCIENCEWISE CO-FUNDED PUBLIC DIALOGUE PROJECTS

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Managed by Ricardo-AEA on behalf of the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS)www.sciencewise-erc.org.uk

Projects that are completing

• Water quality and sustainability• Support to pilot catchment area plans – Environment Agency

• Tools collection – NERC

• Evaluation - Defra

• Mitochondrial replacement – Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority

• Wales land use – Countryside Council for Wales

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Managed by Ricardo-AEA on behalf of the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS)www.sciencewise-erc.org.uk

Projects that are starting, in progress

• Bioenergy – BBSRC

• Nature Improvement Areas – Natural England

• Stratified medicine – Technology Strategy Board

• Patients/ public view of health regulations – Health Research Authority

• Communicating risk: For understanding, belief, ownership and action – Environment Agency

• Public views on outputs from CSaP Horizon Scanning Workshop – BIS

• Significant water management issues – Environment Agency

• Citizen dialogue on bovine TB – Defra

• Openeness and transparency in animal research - MRC

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Managed by Ricardo-AEA on behalf of the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS)www.sciencewise-erc.org.uk

Mitochondrial replacement

Commissioning agent

Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority

Total/ Sciencewise funding, £k

220/ 72

Governance Independent Oversight Group

Dialogue 3 groups of 30 each meeting for 2 days separated by 2 weeks

Other activities Omnibus surveyOpen consultationPublic meetingsPatient focus group

Further information

HFEA webpageSummary of evidenceHFEA press releaseSciencewise webpage

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Managed by Ricardo-AEA on behalf of the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS)www.sciencewise-erc.org.uk

Water quality and sustainability

Commissioning agent

Environment Agency/ NERC/ Defra

Total/ Sciencewise funding, £k

2098/282

Governance Management team

Dialogue Facilitator support to:15 catchments – stakeholders7 of these - public

Other activities Development of draft catchment area plans

Further information

EA webpageCatchment hubSciencewise webpage

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Managed by Ricardo-AEA on behalf of the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS)www.sciencewise-erc.org.uk

Bioenergy distributed dialogue

Commissioning agent

BBSRC

Total/ Sciencewise funding, £k

137/78

Governance Management team

Dialogue Distributed dialogue based on a toolkit developed centrally

Other activities Training to BSRC researchersOpen events

Further information

BBSRC webpageTake partSciencewise webpage

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Managed by Ricardo-AEA on behalf of the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS)www.sciencewise-erc.org.uk

Patient and public views

Commissioning agent

Health Research Authority

Total/ Sciencewise funding, £k

152/84

Governance Management team

Dialogue 4 groups of 15, each meeting for 2 evenings

Other activities Patient meetingsOmnibus survey

Further information

HRA release 1HRA release 2

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Managed by Ricardo-AEA on behalf of the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS)www.sciencewise-erc.org.uk

Mitochondrial replacement

Commissioning agent

Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority

Total/ Sciencewise funding, £k

220/ 72

Governance Independent Oversight Group

Dialogue 3 groups of 30 each meeting for 2 days separated by 2 weeks

Other activities Omnibus surveyOpen consultationPublic meetingsPatient focus group

Further information

HFEA webpageSummary of evidenceHFEA press releaseSciencewise webpage

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Managed by Ricardo-AEA on behalf of the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS)www.sciencewise-erc.org.uk

Contact us

Sciencewise website

www.sciencewise-erc.org.uk

Sciencewise Helpline

01235 753 645

James Tweed:

Sciencewise Projects Manager

James.tweed@sciencewise-erc.org.uk

Tel: 01235 753007

Mob: 07068 707 623

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