What (Feminist) Philosophy offers Public Engagement (with Science)

Melissa Jacquart (University of Cincinnati)

Engaging with the public about science is a complex matter. The ‘deficit model’ for public scientific communication has lost favor; scientists and educators cannot simply communicate more scientific facts in order to improve public understanding of scientific issues. Instead of one-directional dissemination, new models that focus on intentional, bidirectional engagement are needed. In this talk, I propose to address the need for new models of public engagement with science through the lens of philosophy of science, and consider the question, “What (if anything) might philosophy offer such public engagement efforts?". Drawing on Jacquart & Dunlap (2025), I first distinguish three ways in which the relationship between philosophy and public engagement could be understood: subject of study, informed by, and doing. I will then argue that the discipline of philosophy can contribute to new models of public engagement with science through (a) our content (such as insights relevant to scientific methodology, the roles of values in science, and objectivity) and (b) our specific skills (such as “Diagnosis and Prescription”, as well as skills related to dialogue & discourse). By the end of this talk, I hope to have shown how a more fruitful public engagement with science model has deep roots in what has been advocated for by feminist philosophy of science. Though this talk will focus discussion and examples on public engagement with science, much of what is said during this talk can apply to public engagement by philosophers more broadly.