Public engagement with science has a key role in improving science access, promoting acceptance, as well as diversifying and expanding science itself, but to achieve these goals a diverse audience is essential. However, this is still far from being achieved, as participation is more likely among middle aged, middle class, educated, white males. To go beyond elaborations on barriers of engagement, in this studyI examine the relationship between science engagement and science governance. Drawing from social psychology theories of status legitimation and deference towards authority, I argue that who individuals think is most appropriate to intervene in deliberation about science and technology varies according to their socioeconomic background and matters for how they engage with science. Results show that higher Socio-Economic Status is associated with science engagement, but at the same time it is associated with more reliance on experts’ advice rather than public participation, which, however, weakly mediates SES’s relationship with engagement. This study is part of my ongoing doctorate thesis in which I am exploring public engagement with science from the point of view of the public. I aim at understanding how different ways of engaging with science are associated with individual socio-demographic characteristics. To do this, I am employing both survey data and interviews.

Coffee, tea, cake and fruit will be served before the colloquium @ 2 pm.