New sciences in a new country – the Irish paradox

1. New sciences in a new country – the Irish paradox Brian Trench Celsius group, DCU

2. Ernest Walton, 1903-95

3. The Irish National Conversation on Biotechnology There is a potential for conflict between the demand by industry and the research community to move forward and capitalise on the economic opportunities presented by biotechnology and those who advocate a broader perspective that would take into account the long-term social / environmental / ethical / safety impacts of these types of technological developments … A communications strategy in biotechnology that uses a partnership approach with ongoing, transparent and open dialogue should be a priority of any initiative.

4. HOW WELL INFORMED PEOPLE FEEL ABOUT SCIENTIFIC DEVELOPMENTS ‘98 ‘00 Very well informed Fairly well informed Neither Not very well informed Not at all well informed MEAN SCORE 2.62 2.91

5. ATTITUDE SHIFTS on STI THERE SHOULD BE MORE TIME AND SPACE GIVEN OVER TO SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERIES IN IRISH NEWSPAPERS, TV AND RADIO SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ARE IMPORTANT BUT NOT THE BE ALL AND END ALL OF FUTURE ECONOMIC PROGRESS ‘96 ‘98 ‘00 ‘96 ‘98 ‘00 Agree strongly Agree slightly Neither / don’t know Disagree slightly Disagree strongly MEAN SCORE 3.83 3.86 3.74 3.79 3.80 3.80

6. TY STUDENTS’ LEVELS OF INTEREST IN STI 1998 2000 2002 Very interested Fairly interested Neither Not very interested Not at all interested

7. HOW WELL INFORMED TY STUDENTS FEEL ABOUT SCIENTIFIC & TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS 2002 2000 Very well informed Fairly well informed Neither informed nor uninformed Not very well informed Not at all well informed

8. ‘98 ‘98 ‘00 ‘00 ‘02 ‘02 TY STUDENTS’ ATTITUDES TO S&T, 1998-2002 Only by applying the most modern technology, can our economy become more competitive There should be more time and space given to scientific discoveries and tech. Info. In Irish newspapers, TV and radio Agree strongly Agree slightly Neither Disagree slightly Disagree strongly AVERAGE 3.79 3.76 3.76 3.63 3.73 3.58

9. Presentation of EU survey results

10. Science and European public opinion, 1977 • Are you interested in information on science discoveries? • Do you (at least sometimes) discuss science with friends? • Do you see science as a main factor in improvements in life?

11. Science and European public opinion, 1977 • Life has changed a great deal (agree)? • Life has changed for the better (agree)? • Science is (very / quite) important in these changes?

12. Awareness of new sciences, 2005, 2006

13. Europeans and biotechnology, 2005 How familiar are you with the following? (Very / quite familiar)

14. Europeans and biotechnology, 2005 How familiar are you with stem cell research? (Very / quite familiar)

15. Special EB, 2006: Biomedical research Have you heard of EC funding of medical and health research? Have you heard of (Irish) researchers working on EU collaborative research in medicine and health?

16. Informedness on science-based issues, 2005, 2007, 2008

17. Europeans and radioactive waste, 2005-8 How well informed are you on radioactive waste?

18. Europeans and biodiversity loss, 2007 How well informed are you on biodiversity loss?

19. Europeans and climate change, 2008 How well informed are you on consequences and cause of climate change?

20. Interest in science, 1989, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008

21. Europeans and S&T, 1989 How interested are you in the following? (very interested) • New scientific discoveries • Medical discoveries • New technologies and inventions

22. Europeans and S&T, 2005 How interested are you in the following? (very interested) • New scientific discoveries • New technologies and inventions

23. Special EB, 2006: Biomedical research Are you (very/fairly) interested in medical and health research? Are you (very/fairly) interested in science and technology?

24. Scientific research in media, 2007 How interested are you in scientific research?

25. Flash EB, 2008: Young people and science • Are you (moderately / very) interested in S&T news? • Are you interested in new inventions and technologies? • Are you interested in the universe, sky and stars?

26. Attention to science, 1989, 2005, 2007

27. Europeans and S&T, 1989 • Science museum or science centre • Zoo or aquarium • Natural history museum Visit the following at least once in past year?

28. Europeans and biotechnology, 2005 • Do you talk (frequently / occasionally) about biotechnology? • Would you take part in public discussions or hearings? • Would you watch a TV programme or read an article?

29. Europeans and S&T, 2005 How often do you read articles on science in press or on internet?

30. Scientific research in media, 2007 Do you use / read the following? (regularly + occasionally)

31. Scientific research in media, 2007 Do you watch / listen / buy media on scientific research? (regularly + occasionally)

32. Disposition towards science, 1989, 1997, 2005

33. Europeans and S&T, 1989 • Science-led change is too rapid • Benefits of science outweigh harms How do you respond to the following? (strongly agree / agree)

34. Europeans and S&T, 2005 • Science-led change is too rapid • Benefits of science outweigh harms How do you respond to the following? (strongly agree / agree)

35. Europeans and S&T, 1989 How do you respond to the following? (strongly agree / agree) • We are too dependent on science, not enough on faith • Scientific knowledge is not important to me in my daily life

36. Europeans and S&T, 2005 • We are too dependent on science, not enough on faith • Scientific knowledge is not important to me in my daily life How do you respond to the following? (strongly agree / agree)

37. Europeans and S&T, 1989 Renewable energy Biotechnology applied to agriculture Nuclear energy How important is it that EC engages in research on the following? (very important)

38. Europeans and biotechnology, 1997 Biotech research brings benefits in food (quite agree/ definitely agree) Biotech research brings benefits in food (DK)

39. Europeans and biotechnology, 1997 • Biotech research brings benefits in plants (quite agree/ definitely agree) • Biotech research brings benefits in food (DK)

40. Europeans and biotechnology, 2005

41. Europeans and biotechnology, 2005 Support for following technologies

42. Europeans and biotechnology, 2005 Do you support embryonic stem cell research?

43. ‘Don’t Know’ responses, 1992, 1996, 1999, 2007

44. Europeans and S&T, 1992

45. Irish biotechnology ‘knowledge’ responses, 1996, 1999

46. Scientific research in media, 2007 Importance of science in media? (DK) Satisfied with media information on scientific research? (DK)

47. Scientific research in media, 2007 Media information on science is useful? (DK) Media information on science is difficult to understand? (DK)

48. Attitudes to S&T, 2008

49. SFI commissioned Drury Research to explore: Attitudes towards Science / Engineering / Technology Perceived importance of investment in Scientific / Engineering / Technology research Understanding & perceived importance of a knowledge based economy SFI awareness, understanding of SFI role 2008 Survey for SFI

50. Q3. There has been some media coverage about Ireland becoming a knowledge based economy. How well informed do you feel you are about what this means? Only 1 in 4 claim to be informed about the term “knowledge based economy”. Similar results throughout, except: ABC1 32% consider themselves well informed, compared with 20% of C2DE Base: All (1001)