Beyond Deliberation: Alternative Forms of Public (Dis)engagement With Science

Abstract

This study explores alternative forms of public engagement with science through 25 semi-structured interviews with England-based participants from demographic groups traditionally associated with low levels of engagement. When considering established ways to engage with science, informants do not identify themselves as engaged and provide pragmatic reasons for their disengagement. However, as they elaborate on their personal experiences with science, they realize that science is more woven into their lives than initially acknowledged. The results underscore the pivotal role of personal perceptions and experiences in shaping (dis)engagement, emphasizing the interplay between these perceptions and science institutions, and challenging the conventional framework.