VA (Public & Science) (Swedish: "Vetenskap & Allmänhet") is a Vetenskap & Allmänhet, VA, is a non-profit association that wants to promote dialogue and openness between researchers and the general public. VA operates primarily Sweden, but with an eye on European and International science communication including several new EU projects. The organization was founded in 2002 and is currently based from Grev Turegatan 14 in Stockholm, Sweden.
VA's members consist of some 80 organizations, authorities, universities, companies and associations. In addition, it has a number of individual members. The organization is funded through membership fees, project grants and a grant from the Swedish Ministry of Education and Research.
VA's Purpose and Primary Objectives
Increase collaboration between researchers and the public. Increase knowledge and dialogue about: Public perceptions of research and research needs Prerequisites for research, research methods and results Methods for science communication Be a leading knowledge hub for public engagement and science communication Strengthen all aspects of engagement with society; democratic, cultural as well as for the benefit and education of society
Part of what the VA does is carry out surveys and studies with the aim of increasing knowledge about the relationships between science and society at large. This includes an annual barometer into the Swedish public's general attitudes towards science and researchers, as well as more specific studies on how opinion-forming groups in society view and use research, how researchers interact with society, and methods for dialogue on science and research.
VA also arranges many events and activities aimed at stimulating dialogue between researchers and the public in new ways and in novel arenas. VA is the Swedish national co-ordinator for the science festival European Researchers’ Night. The first Researchers' Night was run in Sweden in September 2005 and in 2017 events were run in 29 cities in Sweden. VA also organises the Researchers' Grand Prix, a science communication competition for researchers and mass experiments in schools, a citizen science initiative that engages pupils in real research. Other activities include Science Cafés. VA also participates in societal debate via traditional as well as social media.
VA is currently a partner in three EU-funded Horizon 2020 projects SciShops: ORION, Open Responsible research and Innovation to further Outstanding Knowledge, is aimed at fostering RRI and open science in research performing and research funding organisations. SciShops will expand the ecosystem of Science Shops in Europe and BLOOM is aimed at raising public awareness and interest in the bioeconomy through dialogue and co-creation activities.
VA is a member of EUSEA (European Science Events Association), ECSA (European Citizen Science Association) and the Living Knowledge network.
Impact & Development Work
Letters and consultation responses
Debate articles
ARCS - a Swedish collaborative project to create a national portal for citizen research. Bloom - EU project to create regional networks to increase public interest and knowledge of bioeconomy EU-Citizen.Science - EU project for citizen research in Europe Falling Walls Engage Hub Sweden - the northern European node in an international network for research communication and research collaboration. March for Science / How do you know that? - Sweden News evaluator - Researchers, teachers and students together develop a tool for teaching source criticism ORION Open Science - EU project that will make research in life science and biomedicine more inclusive for society RETHINK - EU project for research communication in the future RRI Tools - EU project that has created a toolbox for responsible research and innovation Cooperation SciShops - EU project where a European network for Science shops is created Smedpack - a package solution for the safety of pharmaceutical consumers Super MoRRI - will develop and improve methods for measuring activities within RRI (responsible research and innovation). Swafs - Swedish platform to influence Horizon 2020 Youcount - EU project to increase young people's participation in society. Open science workshops
Studies
Public attitudes
The VA Barometer - recurring measurement of the Swedish public's view of science, research and researchers. Science in society (ViS) - recurring measurement and in-depth studies of the Swedish public's view of science, research and researchers in collaboration with the SOM Institute. International comparisons - analyzes of foreign attitude surveys
Other surveys:
