Manchester and Sheffield - Scientists want to help society

Scientists talk to the public out of a positive sense of civic responsibility, according to new research published in the journal Science Communication.

Researchers at the universities of Manchester and Sheffield found that scientists were not deterred by time constraints and a lack of career recognition, as a previous study by the Royal Society had found. Ellen Poliakoff, of Manchester's School of Psychology, said: "It seems to reflect an American concept, the 'civic scientist' - someone who wants to do well for society and not just his or her career."