A survey to gather perspectives of DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance-funded researchers on public engagement with science
Year: 2021
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Lately, the Indian research ecosystem has seen an upward trend in scientists showing interest in communicating their science and engaging with non-scientific audiences; however, the number and variety of science communication or public engagement activities undertaken formally by scientists remains low in the country. There could be many contributing factors for this trend. To explore this further, the science funding public charity in India, DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance (India Alliance), in a first of its kind of study by a funding agency in India, surveyed its 243 research grantees in November 2020 requesting their views on public engagement with science in India through an online survey. The survey included both quantitative as well as open-ended questions to assess the understanding of, participation in, and attitude of India Alliance Fellows/Grantees towards public engagement with research, identify the enablers, challenges, and barriers to public engagement for India Alliance Fellows/Grantees, understand the specific needs (training/capacity-building, funding, etc.) and develop recommendations for India Alliance as well as for the larger scientific ecosystem in the country. The survey showed that India Alliance grantees are largely motivated to engage with the public about science or their research but lack professional recognition and incentives, training and structural support to undertake public engagement activities.
Source: Wellcome Open Research
Authors: Sarah Iqbal, Banya Kar
Institution: DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance
Language: English
Subfield: Information Systems and Management
Field: Decision Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,128
Funders: Indian National Science Academy, Wellcome Trust, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, India, Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, India, Indian Council of Medical Research, Indian Council of Social Science Research, Ministry of Education, India, Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy, The Wellcome Trust DBT India Alliance, World Diabetes Foundation, Science and Engineering Research Board, National Institute of Mental Health
OpenAlex ID: W3205324745