[unit4 lesson1 stopandthink q1]

Answer

What are the benefits of engaging the public?

• Better research: the public raise relevant questions and projects that have been defined and researched in partnership with the public often result in greater impact and relevance.
• Transparency and accountability: most research funding is public money and we should be able to explain what we do and why, so we need to open up our research to public scrutiny.
• What is our research good for? We need to demonstrate that our research has an impact, hopefully that it benefits health or health care i.e. it responds to social/health need. If a new treatment or better way of managing disease has been identified, or if something has proved to be harmful or a waste of money, then the public should know about it.
• It promotes a scientifically literate public
• It allows debate around new/controversial/poorly understood topics and promotes public understanding.
• It inspires people; this is especially important in getting young people interested in science and science careers.
• It is valuable experience for researchers: interesting, good fun and great for your CV.
• It is valuable for the public: stimulates curiosity, interest and should be fun.
• Research-aware people are more likely to take part in clinical trials.