A model of dialogic public engagement with genetics and genomics research

Genetics has long been an area of substantial scientific and clinical focus. In the UK in the last decade initiatives such as the 100,000 Genomes Project and the creation of Genomics England have pioneered the incorporation of genomics into clinical care, while Our Future Health forms a cornerstone of the UK’s industrial life sciences strategy. A key feature of the genetics and genomics landscape has been attention to the importance of patient and public views – from the development of genomic research databases and UK Biobank through to ongoing policy recognition of, and commitment to, public engagement and dialogue. Despite the growing emphasis on public engagement within the field of genetics and genomics, there remains a significant gap in our understanding of how dialogic engagement - characterised by reciprocal communication and mutual learning - can be effectively measured and evaluated. Existing studies have predominantly focused on public attitudes, knowledge, and participation in genetics, yet they often overlook the deeper, qualitative dimensions of engagement that dialogue-based approaches seek to foster. Moreover, while models of public engagement have been widely discussed, there is a paucity of research that specifically addresses the unique challenges and opportunities presented by dialogic methods within the context of genetics and genomics. This study aims to address these gaps by developing a robust model and corresponding measures that capture the nuanced and dynamic nature of dialogic public engagement in this field, thereby providing a more comprehensive framework for evaluating the effectiveness of such initiatives.