What has science communication ever done for us?

As a parliamentary inquiry into science and the public begins, I'd argue there's been a revolution in the way researchers think about science and engagement

"What have the Romans ever done for us?" John Cleese's famous question from Monty Python's Life of Brian has been in my thoughts over the past couple of weeks. Back came the answer, "The aqueduct." "Oh, yeah, yeah. They did give us that." "And there's sanitation..." You get the picture.

I've been recalling lines from Monty Python thanks to the House of Commons select committee on science and technology, which today begins a round of public hearings for its latest inquiry into science communication. In essence, the committee is asking: "What has science communication ever done for us?"