The Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE) has been awarded a grant of over $130,000 from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to extend its Public Opinions programme of work to develop data-led public messaging on the value of UK-based R&D with a global impact.
The UK has a long history as a source of R&D-led ideas for tackling major societal challenges and contributing towards the science that underpins many ‘global goods’. This project, funded by the foundation, will be specifically focused on how best to convey the value of this type of R&D activity to UK public audiences.
Ultimately, the project is a step towards securing broader and more vocal public support for R&D in this area informing efforts to better connect with public audiences. This reflects the model which underpins CaSE’s ongoing Discovery Decade work, which has been exploring the terminology, messaging and messengers that can help make R&D matter to more people.
“R&D done here in the UK is touching lives across the world, yet often failing to connect with those living down the street.
“We are excited to explore how we can make global-facing R&D feel more tangible to the UK public, using the model we’ve refined within our Discovery Decade programme.
“By drawing on public opinion data when choosing our terminology, messages and messengers, this project offers a chance to connect with new public supporters to convey the contribution that UK R&D makes to the world.
Dr Ben Bleasdale
Director, Discovery Decade, CaSE
“CaSE’s pioneering work on public opinions is helping the R&D sector rethink its public image. This grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will further our work exploring an area of R&D where the UK has long made a leading contribution.”
Dr Daniel Rathbone
Interim Executive Director, CaSE
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