While social and behavioral scientists are trained and professionally socialized to engage in public debate about the nuances of their theories and methods with other scientists and experts, they are less practiced at explaining the general value and practical importance of their research to members of the public and policymakers.

The research presented here indicates that there are productive ways of inviting the public, policymakers, and even those skeptical of the value of SBS research to engage in deeper discussions about its role in society.