How can organisations like science museums and universities foster activism and active citizenship on major social issues through education, advocacy and engagement? How do science, society and policymaking interact? How can we involve and then empower various communities?

At a time of global systemic crisis and wicked problems requiring dynamic policy transitions, science, policy, and society are being increasingly challenged to step up and provide more rapid evidence-informed responses. With science activism rising, how far should museums, universities and other educational and cultural spaces go to create opportunities for visitors and staff to engage with scientists and policymakers working on these issues? To what extent should these institutions encourage active citizenship or activism? This session aims to provide participants with insights and practical examples about how and when institutions can help facilitate and create hubs of dialogue for such engagement.

Should scientists be activists? Should universities advocate? Should science museums facilitate communication between citizens, scientists and policymakers? Many refer to scientific objectivity and argue against engaging in advocacy campaigns. Others question whether universities and science centres can advocate objectively considering their funding sources. Can our institutions afford to get stuck in neutral when it comes to advocacy?