A Partnership for Public Engagement

The Kavli Foundation and the Department of Energy today signed a memorandum of understanding to form the Science Public Engagement Partnership, or SciPEP, to explore special characteristics and challenges of public engagement in discovery science. Through this partnership, SciPEP intends to create tools and resources for scientists and researchers performing basic research to use to engage the broader public as well as stimulate additional scholarship around public engagement with, and support of, basic science. The first year will be one of analysis and reflection on the scholarship about science communication, and specifically engagement with basic science, to better understand the landscape and what might be missing and needed for the basic research community to effectively engage various publics in discovery science.

As a major supporter of basic science, specifically in the fields of astrophysics, nanoscience, neuroscience and theoretical physics, and with a program focused on strengthening the connection between science and society, ensuring basic science engagement is supported, sustainable, and effective, is of deep interest to the foundation.

“We look forward to our partnership with the DOE’s Office of Science to better understand the relationship between basic science and the public, and with a deeper understanding to empower scientists and professionals to effectively engage the public in basic science and strengthen the overall relationship,” shared Brooke Smith, director of Science and Society.

Watch more about SciPEP and What We Don’t Know about Engaging People in Basic Science.

Science and Society