Science and Democracy: Does Public Engagement Matter?

What is the role of public engagement professionals, and how can they actively shape the relationship between science and democracy? This was the central question discussed during a special session at the 2025 Annual EUSEA Conference in Las Palmas on May 15, 2025. Around 80 public engagement practitioners, science communication officers, and national representatives from across the EU and beyond engaged in discussions, exchanging ideas on ways to foster trust in science and influence policymaking to ensure that science remains a driving force in democratic societies. The main outcomes from the session will help shape EUSEA’s strategic roadmap and influence policymaking at the EU level.

In a time of rising misinformation, pressing global challenges, and democratic decline worldwide, the relationship between science, society, and democracy is more vital than ever. The overarching objective of the session “Science and Democracy: Does Public Engagement Matter?” was to share ideas, discuss, and exchange knowledge on whether and how public engagement can serve as a bridge between science and democratic governance.

Through engaging group discussions, participants were invited to share insights and suggestions on how public engagement impacts democracy and what the EUSEA network can do to help foster democratic values and trust in science.

State of Democracy and Public Engagement

To set the scene and understand participants’ views on the state of democracy in their countries, attendees were asked whether they were concerned about the direction democracy is heading in their respective countries. The results showed that a significant majority (approximately 80%) were indeed worried (image from Menti.com).

We also asked whether public engagement has any value in shaping democracy. The result was a resounding “yes.”

Prior to the session, EUSEA members were invited to respond to a survey on the interplay between science and democracy and to share their concerns. One participant expressed fear that the decline of democracy might occur through the very tools meant to uphold it. Another EUSEA member voiced concern about threats to academic freedom, the erosion of democratic principles, and the undermining and underfunding of a free press, which in some cases is even under attack.

Overall, the sentiment was rather pessimistic, although the majority agreed that public engagement can help reconnect with democratic values, combat mistrust, and foster trust in science.

Areas of Exploration

The main results from group discussions during the session suggested three key areas worthy of further exploration:

• Policy influence and advocacy

• Community empowerment and stakeholder engagement

• Critical thinking and public accessibility to science

→ Policy

At the policy level, EUSEA members advocated for more engagement processes in policymaking and emphasised the need to educate and empower citizens with scientific knowledge. Policymakers should also be informed—and in some cases, educated—on how to access and use science-based knowledge, for example, through “science for policy” initiatives. Public engagement should be viewed as a tool to improve the policymaking process itself.

→ Community

One group of EUSEA members suggested that effective public engagement should be seen as a three-part ecosystem consisting of (i) citizens/stakeholders, (ii) policymakers, and (iii) experts—where all parties must be equally balanced, valued, and involved. Communities should relate to both political and scientific spheres in a bottom-up approach, creating spaces for action and dialogue. Inclusive, community-led engagement can help build trust, support fact-based decisions, and connect science with democracy through dialogue, co-creation, and long-term investment.

→ Public Accessibility

Public engagement can also empower citizens with knowledge about how the scientific process works, fostering fundamental critical thinking skills. This enables more informed decision-making and enhances the ability to critically evaluate media and other information sources.

One participant stressed the importance of science communication and critical thinking in the democratic process:

There were several suggestions for how EUSEA could help foster democracy and trust in science, such as:

• Influencing and advocating for public engagement in policymaking

• Continuing to provide a platform and space for public engagement professionals to exchange knowledge and learn from one another

• Providing and facilitating skills development for public engagement professionals, researchers, and policymakers

Bottom Line

The “Science and Democracy” session was attended by the majority of conference participants. Although it lasted only one hour, it successfully raised important points, and participants actively contributed their views.

The outcomes will form the basis for a formal EUSEA statement outlining how science engagement can help shape public policy and foster democracy and trust in science. They will also inform EUSEA’s strategic roadmap, guide new activities and collaborations, and support future policy advocacy on science engagement.

The session was moderated by Andrea Brunello (Arditodesio & University of Trento) and Maria Hagardt (Swedish Research Council), both members of EUSEA’s Governing Board.

Please feel free to get in touch with us if you have reflections or comments, and stay tuned for further updates.