A public engagement with science : breaking the hegemony and shifting paradigms

Abstract

The study adopted a mixed-method approach to understand the public engagement with science (PES) landscape in the Maltese Islands. The study is significant as it sheds light on the systemic pattern throughout society by understanding the role of entities conducting PES in reproducing exclusionary citizens’ lack of participation in science. The study adopts a critical lens using Habermas’s public sphere applied to science and Bourdieu’s lens of the capital. The research involved a scoping literature review of international documents mentioning PES. Two questionnaires were created - one to gather insights from Maltese residents over 18 about science and their participation in science activities, and another for members of public engagement with science networks (PENs) to understand their engagement with the PENs. In addition, interviews were conducted with senior management of major entities involved in PES in the Maltese Islands and senior management of PENs. The study found that Maltese residents are generally highly interested in science. Furthermore, individuals with higher levels of education tend to participate in science-related activities more actively, while those with primary or secondary education exhibit relatively lower levels of engagement. The study revealed that international PEN members generally contribute more to the PEN in terms of time, knowledge, stakeholder contacts, mentoring, and proposal writing rather than financially to the network. However, respondents tend not to join other PENs due to high membership fees and lack of information. The study discusses the power dynamics involved in accessing science within the Maltese public sphere of science (PSS). It highlights that stakeholders at the centre who have gained enough social capital have the most authority, while publics on the outskirts have minimal power. Certain publics on the outskirts can gain more influence and access higher levels if the conditions are favourable. The study suggests that a national PES space could improve communication between science communication practitioners and researchers. A national strategy for PES could potentially establish appropriate governance and policy for citizens' critical engagement and involvement at various levels of PES in the PSS. The study emphasises the importance of a systemic shift towards citizens' critical engagement and participation by entities conducting PES to break hegemony and change paradigms. The findings emphasise the need for more inclusive and accessible PES initiatives and the importance of addressing power dynamics in science communication and engagement.