What are the public priorities for the future of atmospheric science in the UK?
We welcome a new public dialogue that will explore how people across the UK think about atmospheric science and its future priorities, led by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and Sciencewise.
The dialogue will investigate how the public views weather, climate change, air quality, and their impacts on human health, nature, and urban environments. It will also include areas such as climate prediction, severe weather forecasting, and environmental monitoring.
We recognise the importance of understanding public perspectives alongside scientific evidence. Hearing from diverse communities can help ensure atmospheric research remains relevant, responsive, and capable of delivering meaningful benefits for society at local, national, and global scales.
Atmospheric science underpins our understanding of issues that affect every aspect of modern life, from weather and air quality to climate resilience. We welcome this public dialogue as an opportunity to hear directly from people across the UK about what matters most to them and how atmospheric science can continue to deliver benefits for society. Listening to these perspectives is an important part of shaping a future research landscape that is both scientifically ambitious and socially relevant.
– Professor Jacqui Hamilton, NCAS Science Director
Through the dialogue, people from a wide range of backgrounds and communities from across the four nations of the UK will have the opportunity to share their views and discuss what matters most to them.
Alongside wider consultation activities with the research and innovation community, the dialogue findings will form an evidence base to help inform future decision-making in NERC and UK Research and Innovation. The aim is to ensure the UK continues to have the skills, infrastructure, technologies and research capabilities needed to deliver world-leading environmental science in the years ahead.
The dialogue will consider a range of questions, including:
- What issues matter most to people at local, regional, national and global levels when they think about atmospheric science?
- How do priorities differ across these different scales, and why?
- What do people understand by the term “atmospheric science”?
- How does atmospheric science connect to people’s everyday lives?
- What influences public awareness and understanding of atmospheric science?
- How are atmospheric scientists and their role in informing decision-making perceived by the public?
- Are there differences in views and priorities across different parts of the UK?
The dialogue will be delivered by Hopkins Van Mil, who will run four deliberative workshops during late 2026 alongside an online interactive space. An independent evaluation of the process will be carried out by URSUS Consulting, with a final report expected in March 2027.