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Landscape Overview of University Systems and People Supporting Scientists in their Public Engagement Efforts

Landscape Overview of University Systems and People Supporting Scientists in their Public Engagement Efforts

2017 - 2018

This study was commissioned by the Rita Allen Foundation to support a national-scale initiative to support scientists in their public engagement efforts.

Scientists and engineers wishing to conduct public engagement do so in the context of established disciplinary norms and complex institutional systems that may support or limit their success. This study resulted in a report that conveys the known complexity and unique challenges for universities trying to support scientists in their public engagement work. It also summarizes the potential levers of change to improve this system. Insights in the report come from a review of 26 recent reports that include recommendations for universities in supporting public engagement and a series of seven video conference focus groups across levels of the university hierarchy. Each group included three to five individuals across 22 institutions.