Committees

Science Communication examined at the Natural History Museum

14 June 2016

The Science and Technology Committee visits the Natural History Museum to examine science communication, science in the media and the level of public engagement with science.

Witnesses

Tuesday 14 June 2016, Attenborough Suite, Natural History Museum

At 9.05 am

  • David Shukman, Science Editor, BBC News
  • Deborah Cohen, Head of Radio Science, BBC
  • Fiona Fox, Chief Executive, Science Media Centre

At 9.50 am

  • Professor Louise Archer, Professor of Sociology of Education and Chair of the Centre for Research in Education in Science, Technology and Mathematics, King's College London
  • Imran Khan, Chief Executive, British Science Association
  • Katherine Mathieson, Director of Programmes, British Science Association

At 10.35 am

  • Dr Matthew Hickman, Programme Manager, Informal Science Learning, Wellcome Trust
  • Dr Stephen Webster, Director, Science Communication Unit, Imperial College London

Background

The first panel contains representatives from the BBC, and the Science Media Centre, who will give evidence on the reporting of science stories, and the portrayal of science in the media.

The second panel contains representatives from the British Science Association and King's College London, to give evidence on the levels of engagement with the public with specific focus on British Science Week and the attitudes of young people to science.

The third panel contains the Director of the Science Communication Unit at Imperial, and a representative from the Wellcome Trust, who will discuss the evidence base for the practice of science communication and public engagement.

Access arrangements at the meeting

The address for the evidence session is:

Attenborough Suite
Natural History Museum
Queen's Gate Entrance
South Kensington SW7 5BD

  • Location: Museum map
  • Members of the public are encouraged to arrive by 8.40 am at the Queen's Gate entrance, Natural History Museum.
  • The session will be open to the public on a first come, first served basis. 
  • There is no system for the prior reservation of seats. 
  • There will be no standing room to observe the evidence hearing.
  • Once the session has commenced, further admittance will be based on the availability of seats.

Further Information

Image: iStockphoto