Engaging the Public with Science in the Basque Country: On scientists’ experiences and perspectives

Abstract

Public participation in the development of science and technology is key in modern societies, and scientists’ understanding of their responsibility and agency within this practice is still underexplored. - Face-to-face forms of science communication are the most commonly reported. - Scientists see science communication as a social responsibility, and they feel responsible to carry it out well. - Scientists describe successful science communication as that which, primarily, brings something positive to its audiences. - Learning about the audience, communicating science-in-the-making, and collaborating with other disciplines (i.e. artists), are seen as the most critical factors for successful science communication.