Making a difference

Join us in standing up for science across civic society. With your support we can continue to help people make sense of scientific and medical claims.

Find out how you can donate.

Here are just some of the ways your donations are spent:

I've Got Nothing to Lose

We produced a short guide for patients suffering from long-term conditions to weigh up claims about cures and treatments.

"I have been encouraged to try so many expensive drugs or treatments. I would have done better to have a good holiday. It is hope that makes us grab at straws. We need facts not dreams.” Rita Baillie, MS sufferer 

VoYS workshops

We run a programme of workshops for early career researchers to bring new voices to public debates about science and evidence.

“As a junior researcher even though you might feel strongly about the misrepresentation of science it’s easy to feel that you don't have a voice” Daniella Muallem, member of VoYS

“VoYS offered us not only a voice, but the chance to confront the bogus science head-on.” Anne Corbett, member of VoYS

Libel Reform

We have been campaigning for reform of the libel laws, against their damaging effects on open scientific and medical debate.

"Scientists and others need to be able to discuss scientific issues without legal threats. Otherwise how will we progress?" Campaign donor

“Sense About Science has highlighted the extent to which our libel laws silence scientific researchers and prevent people from knowing what they have the right to know” Campaigner

Peer review

We have published I don't know what to believe, a guide to peer review, developed an educational resource for school students and run a programmes of workshops to encourage people to question claims about science and evidence by popularising how science works.

“I am often asked about current issues my students hear about through the media. After asking students to probe further, they are able to unravel information and draw conclusions for themselves. These students are the adults of tomorrow and they need to be able to judge information using valid evidence.” Ramla Ali, secondary school science teacher

Science and evidence in policy

We have distributed Making Sense of Statistics, a guide to misconceptions about statistics, to all MPs, helping to improve the use of science in policy making.

“Statistics help to make sense of a confusing world. But the sheer number and variety of statistics also provide great opportunities for misrepresentation or selective quotation. Getting canny about these tricks should be part of everybody’s armoury.” Nigel Hawkes, Director, Straight Statistics

“A great many of the decisions we make – or are made for us by government – are underpinned by statistics. Knowing more about how they work helps us to make better decisions and hold government accountable to the public.” Andrew Garratt, Royal Statistical Society