Dominique Brossard, Professor and Chair Department of Life Sciences Communication College of Agriculture and Life Sciences University of Wisconsin-Madison Center for Global Studies Holtz Center for Science and Technology Studies Morgridge Institute for Research National Academy of Sciences And National Academy of Medicine: Committee on Human Gene Editing: Scientific, Medical and Ethical Considerations Washington DC, February 11, 2016 Public Engagement and Science Policy: Insights from Science Communication Research

This Talk: An Overview  Why engage?  Models of public engagement: strengths and weaknesses of different mechanisms  Concluding thoughts

Why engage? Source:

 Different labels  Knowledge deficit models  Science literacy models  Familiarity hypothesis  etc.  Assumption  If people were only more informed, they would be more supportive of science  Effective communication is about explaining the science better Engaging to Enhance Science Literacy and Change Public Attitudes Toward Science What is the evidence of enhanced scientific literacy on support for, attitudes, and perception of scientific research?

Little Support For the Science Literacy/Deficit Model: Information Matters In Different Ways for Different Groups Ho, S. S., Brossard, D., & Scheufele, D. A. (2008). Effects of value predispositions, mass media use, and knowledge on public attitudes toward embryonic stem cell research. International Journal of Public Opinion Research, 20 (2),

Why engage? Source:

Engaging Stakeholders Helps Develop Better Policies For Complex Science Issues ”Researchers must engage meaningfully with decision- makers and stakeholders in processes of knowledge coproduction that incorporate diverse perspectives transparently”

Survey of Synthetic biologists ( AAAS 2016)

Synthetic biologists value lay audiences’ views

Lay audiences can bring valuable perspectives to discussions about scientific research. Disagree Neither disagree nor agreeAgreeTotal% total It is morally acceptable for scientists to… edit DNA in a way that is inheritable by future generations. Disagree % morally16.0%18.8%65.3% 18.7% Neither disagree nor agree % morally8.0%24.1%67.9% 27.6% Agree % morally12.8%18.6%68.5% 53.7% Total % total12.1%20.2%67.8%

GOOD GUIDANCE FROM THE LITERATURE ON AUDIENCES ETC.

Voice : Dialogue High Low Vote : Influence High Low Qualitative InterviewsCitizen Jury Focus GroupConsensus Conference Deliberative Opinion Poll People’s Panel Public Opinion Poll Referendum Adapted from: Coleman, S. & Gotze, J (2005). Bowling together: Online public engagement in public deliberation [Online]. Available: bowlingtogether.net/chapter2.html Public Meetings

How Are We Supposed To Make Decisions King (1928): Public decision making is the “judgment reached upon a question of general or civic import after conscious rational public discussion.” In short: The normative assumption is that there’s an informed, rational public that is willing to and capable of participating in political processes.

Low Involvement High Involvement High Information Low Information Empirical Realities

Low Involvement High Involvement High Information Low Information Empirical Realities

Voice : Dialogue High Low Vote : Influence High Low Qualitative InterviewsCitizen Jury Focus GroupConsensus Conference Deliberative Opinion Poll People’s Panel Public Opinion Poll Referendum Adapted from: Coleman, S. & Gotze, J (2005). Bowling together: Online public engagement in public deliberation [Online]. Available: bowlingtogether.net/chapter2.html Public Meetings WHO PARTICIPATES IN THESE EXERCISES?

This Talk: An Overview  Why engage?  Models of public engagement: strengths and weaknesses of different mechanisms  Concluding thoughts

Concluding Thoughts The effectiveness of traditional engagement mechanisms for wide public participation is limited Lay audiences are online – at a minimum, engagement efforts should start with sound online communication Engaging relevant stakeholders and leaders from groups voicing conflicting opinions is crucial and leads to better policy decisions

Thank you