Strengthening R&D's local identity offers a huge opportunity
to connect with broader public audiences, according to a new
report from the Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE).
People and Places: How to put R&D on the map,
explores how the R&D sector can use the framing of place to
strengthen connections between the R&D system and the public.
It draws on insights from CaSE's landmark Discovery Decade
programme, including extensive public opinion research and a set
of pilot studies carried out across the UK in 2023-24, and from
experts across the R&D sector.
CaSE's research has emphasised the role that place can play in
building a stronger public connection with R&D, and our pilot
studies in Stevenage, Greater Manchester and Northern Ireland
aimed to put these findings into practice.
In each area, CaSE, working with creative agency Luna 9, convened
a small group of local organisations to collaboratively develop
messaging strategies and example campaign and engagement assets.
The Stevenage pilot has already led to the deployment of new
public-facing messaging, with a billboard campaign rolled out in
Stevenage and King's Cross stations this month (see supporting
images).
The pilot studies demonstrate the shared interests and common
challenges of local groups and the R&D sector, as well as the
benefits of working together to tackle them.
CaSE is urging organisations to collaborate and has made a series
of recommendations for action. These are framed around five ways
that R&D sector and local actors and governments can
strengthen the connection between the public and R&D in their
area:
- Build a distinct brand for R&D in your area
- Open up R&D's doors to local communities
- Demonstrate R&D's benefits and champion diversity among
researchers and research
- Encourage collaborations across disciplines, sectors and
geographic areas
- Prioritise building public connections with R&D when
harnessing powers of devolution
CaSE plans to use this work to stimulate new ideas and
collaborations with R&D organisations and local actors to
carry out more place-based messaging in the coming years.
Commenting on the report:
Dr Rebecca Hill, Advocacy and Engagement Manager,
CaSE:
“CaSE's Discovery Decade work has emphasised how important it is
to strengthen our connections with the public at a local level.
“Our pilot studies in Stevenage, Greater Manchester and Northern
Ireland demonstrate the shared interests and common challenges of
local groups and the R&D sector – and the benefits of
tackling them together.
“We urge R&D organisations and local actors to collaborate to
build local identities for R&D that help convey the tangible
value of their work in people's lives and communities.
“CaSE is looking forward to building on this project as we enter
the next phase of our efforts to embed the public's views into
our advocacy for the UK's R&D system.”
Kim Shillinglaw, Chair, CaSE's Discovery Decade
Programme:
“CaSE is urging everyone interested in accelerating Britain's
drive to be an R&D positive nation – one with strong support,
interest and buy-in from its citizens – to consider how they can
boost the profile of R&D in their area.
“As part of CaSE's continued efforts to bring the public voice
into R&D policy-making, we will be building on this work to
stimulate new ideas and collaborations. We are confident that
focusing on place as a connection point will bring benefits not
just locally, but nationally, as people see that UK-wide
investment in R&D is delivering for them closer to home.”
Cllr Lloyd Briscoe, Cabinet Member for Economy, Skills
and Transport, Stevenage Borough Council:
“In Stevenage, we are recognised for our R&D and STEM
industries, which continue to grow. As we embark on a programme
of significant town centre transformation, we understand the
importance of working alongside our local communities and
businesses to share opportunities and provide a real sense of
ownership to local people. Our place is somewhere to be proud of,
celebrating the achievements that will continue to come from our
town – as should all places with these industries at their
centre.
“The chance to work alongside CaSE as part of their Discovery
Decade work has reinforced to us the need to work with our
partners to make R&D more accessible, enhancing understanding
and offering greater opportunities for our communities to
benefit”
