Science Talks: A Platform for Bridging between Scientific and Other Diverse Communities in the Era of Innovation

Abstract

　 In the era of “science, technology and innovation policy,” scientific community is required to communicate and engage with much wider communities and more various stakeholders than ever. Science Talks, which is a grass-root network of younger scholars and practitioners, provides fora in which scholars, practitioners, policy makers and other people concerned discuss the future visions of science in Japan, and learn from each other lessons and practices in order to energize research environments.

　 In this article, the author describes background of its establishment and details of its main activities, focusing on a project to make policy proposal for the 5th Science and Technology Basic Plan of Government of Japan. Opportunities and challenges of this kind of activity in Japan will be discussed toward a better relationship between scientific community and other diverse communities.