RIGHT IDEA, WRONG TIME: THE WISENET SCIENCE SHOP 1988-1990

Abstract

A science shop is an agency for the promotion of socially relevant research. It links members of the general community with researchers in the natural, social and other sciences. Australia's first science shop, the Wisenet Science Shop, opened in Canberra in February 1988. This report is a summary of its operation and achievements. Comparisons are made with science shops in Europe, particularly the well-documented Amsterdam Science Shop. The Wisenet Science Shop operated for more than a year on less than $20,000. Despite minimal publicity and promotion, it demonstrated that there is a demand in the community for this type of service and enthusiasm among researchers for the concept.

Keywords:

• Science shop
• community research
• socially relevant research
• science policy
• Australia