VERITY Recommendations for Fostering Trust in Science: Science-Society Facilitators
ResourcesVERITY Recommendations for Fostering Trust in Science: Science-Society Facilitators
Related Initiative
What is this about?
Why is this important?
Science-Society Facilitators are essential Stewards of Trust, linking research with diverse communities and ensuring science addresses real societal needs. Yet, engagement efforts often fall short, reduced to tokenistic exercises that meet funding requirements without genuinely empowering citizens. This risks reinforcing perceptions of science as top-down, inaccessible, and detached from public concerns—particularly among historically marginalised groups who may carry negative experiences with scientific or healthcare institutions.
Structural barriers such as short-term funding, limited institutional backing, and rigid project structures further constrain meaningful engagement. Power imbalances within participatory processes, data privacy concerns, and weak inclusion of underrepresented groups undermine credibility. Religious, ideological, or political tensions may complicate coalition-building, while citizen science projects often struggle to extend beyond organised civil society.
The recommendations in this resource are important because they shift engagement from consultation toward true co-creation. By integrating local knowledge, ensuring fair recognition of citizen contributions, and building inclusive platforms for dialogue, facilitators can create sustained, equitable, and responsive models of engagement. Adequate funding, training, and ethical safeguards are critical. Through these practices, facilitators transform science from an elite endeavour into a collaborative, accountable, and trusted societal enterprise rooted in shared values and mutual learning.
