Science and technology are integral to every aspect of modern life. Despite generally favorable public attitudes about science, technology, and their benefits, however, tensions continue to emerge at the intersection of core human values and certain scientific fields – from human embryonic stem cell and global climate-change research, to the teaching of evolution. Increasingly, this tension has interfered with scientific progress, the quality of science education, and the broader ability of the scientific enterprise to fully serve the needs of society.

The traditional approach to dealing with science-society tension has been to try to increase public understanding of scientific discoveries and theories. Yet, many members of the public understand the basic scientific issues and facts, but find them unpalatable, and thus, education alone may be an insufficient response. The AAAS Center for Public Engagement with Science and Technology has instead proposed building upon and moving beyond traditional public understanding efforts, toward more comprehensive public-dialogue opportunities.

“We need to engage the public in a more open and honest, bi-directional dialogue about science and technology and the products they give rise to, addressing not only the inherent benefits, but also the limits, perils and pitfalls,” AAAS CEO Dr. Alan I. Leshner, executive publisher of the journal Science, wrote in an editorial on public engagement. “We need to respect the public’s perspective and concerns and develop a partnership that can respond to them.” Specific strategies for achieving public engagement were described in an op-ed at The Chronicle of Higher Education and a JAMA op-ed.