UK GOV extends Sciencewise contract with Ricardo-AEA

The UK Government has extended its contract with consulting firm Ricardo-AEA to deliver Sciencewise, an initiative that supports policy making of the UK Government through effective engagement and dialogue with the public. 

Sciencewise
Sciencewise is UK’s national centre set up to improve Government policy making concerning science and technology issues through effective engagement and increased dialogue with the public. The centre does this by providing co-funding and specialist advice to help the Departments and Agencies develop and commission public dialogue. The Sciencewise initiative is founded in 2007 and funded by the UK Government’s Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).

To deliver the project from 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2015, Sciencewise set out a tender which was won by global sustainability consulting firm Ricardo-AEA, in partnership with Involve and the British Science Association. After a successful year, the Department for BIS has decided to extend the contract with another year. Under the contract, Ricardo-AEA will continue to provide specialist advice and guidance on all aspects of engaging the public.

Commenting on the renewed contract, Alan Mercer, Ricardo-AEA’s Sciencewise Manager, says: “We are delighted and very excited by this opportunity to continue delivering Sciencewise […] This extension will allow us to continue helping policy makers with the complexities of public engagement. We will be further raising the skill levels across government, developing different ways for policy makers to involve the public and developing options for continuing the type of activities and outcomes that Sciencewise advocates and supports.”