‘It benefits every moment’: Understandings of and engagements in science-related practices in everyday life




Torkkeli, Kaisa; Karvonen, Milla; Pritup, Daria; Enqvist, Johanna Eeva

PublisherSage PUBLICATIONS

2025

Public Understanding of Science

0963-6625

1361-6609

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1177/09636625241309055(external)

http://doi.org/10.1177/09636625241309055(external)

https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/485190187(external)



Drawing from science capital research and applying current practice theory, this study sheds light on people’s perceptions of science and science-related practices in their everyday lives. The study develops a practice theoretical approach to examine understandings and engagements embedded in socially shared everyday science-related practices. The analysis of 51 interviews with Finnish people aged 20 to 88 with varied educational and socio-economic backgrounds brings participants’ voices into a discussion. The findings suggest that science is understood as a generally valuable all-compassing phenomenon offering a means to explain the world and address complex issues. Participants commonly reported engaging with science in their professional lives, regardless of their educational background or employment status. However, most interviewees implied a lack of confidence to engage in science due to the perceived norms of institutionalised science. This study reveals the need for more critical reflection on the approaches of science-promoting practitioners to advance science engagement.


The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship and/or publication of this article: This study was conducted as part of the Fostering Finnish Science Capital (FINSCI) project supported by the Strategic Research Council/Academy of Finland grant numbers 335233 and 336636.


Last updated on 2025-24-03 at 10:16