Science, Politics and the Dilemmas of Openness

At present, openness in science is more important than ever. This study sheds light on hidden or ignored aspects of openness as a core policy agenda. While the opening up of science to public scrutiny and public deliberation is good in principle, various complications arise from such exposure. Does the policy of openness need to be discussed more directly, and is it wrong to assume that openness can improve science's reputation in the public sphere?Developed as a solution to perceived crises in science-society relations, openness and transparency initiatives might hide 'monsters' that need to be made visible and critically examined. This book does exactly that by dealing with four key themes: the transparency of science in the public sphere; responsibility in contemporary research practice and governance; experts of policy-making, risk assessment and the regulation of science; and tensions of faith and misunderstanding between science and religion. Each section of the book contains an opening essay by experts on a particular theme including contributions from Mark Brown, Benjamin Worthy, Barbara Prainsack, Sabina Leonelli and Chris Toumey. The book closes with an epilogue by Stephen Turner and an essay by John Holmwood. This book should be of interest to academics and members of the public who want to know more about the challenges and opportunities of 'making science public', the theme of the Leverhulme Trust-funded research programme on which this book is based.