RT Journal Article
T1 Museums as brokers of participation: how visitors view the emerging role of European science centres and museums in policy
A1 Andrea Bandelli
A1 Elly A. Konijn
YR 2015
VO Special Issue: Communications
IS Spring 2015
K1 co-development
K1 museum governance
K1 public engagement
K1 public participation
K1 science centres
K1 science museums
K1 science policy
AB Science centres and museums in Europe traditionally offer opportunities for public participation, such as dialogues, debates and workshops. In recent years, starting with the support of grants from the European Commission, the purpose of these initiatives is increasingly more connected with the policy making processes where science centres play a role as brokers between the public and other stakeholders. This article begins an investigation on how these two levels of participation – the participation of museums in policy, and the participation of visitors in museums – are related in seven European science centres and museums. The results suggest that science centres and museums are regarded by their visitors as potential platforms to facilitate public participation in policy, especially in countries where the general infrastructure for public participation in science is weak.
NO In the rest of this article the terms 'science centre' and 'science museum' will be used interchangeably, since we focus on the public participation of visitors in institutions that display, discuss and engage with contemporary science through exhibitions and programmes.

NO We use the term 'emerging role' to emphasise that there are still profound differences across science centres and museums in how they interpret this role, and that also within each institution it is a quickly evolving and developing concept.

PB The Science Museum Group
SN 2054-5770
LA eng
DO 10.15180/150306
UL https://journal.sciencemuseum.ac.uk/article/brokers-of-participation/
WT Science Museum Group Journal
OL 30