Relevant to: Research, Public
Sector: cross sectoral
Summary: Video by the Research Council of the United Kingdom on the value and benefits of researchers engaging with the general public

This video explores the need for and benefits of public engagement with research in the United Kingdom. It features interviews with leading figures from the academic and research communities. The video was released by the Research Council of the United Kingdom. The researchers in the video argue that public engagement with research is vitally important and present a range of arguments in support of this position. No counterarguments were presented. Some of the researchers discuss the RCUK Concordat for Engaging the Public with Research. They note that the Concordat outlines expectations and responsibilities around public engagement and seeks to ensure that public engagement is valued, recognised and supported by research institutions. In this way the Concordat encourages young researchers to engage more with the public on their research. The main message of the video is that science is integral to every aspect of our lives today; the public must understand why science is so important to them.

This article was developed from a video accessed on 30 January 2018, at the following web address:
www.rcuk.ac.uk/media/films/