The need for structural changes to create impactful public engagement in US particle physics

TL;DR

This paper advocates for structural reforms within the US particle physics community to foster impactful public engagement by addressing barriers and creating supportive environments for scientists.

Contribution

It identifies necessary organizational changes and provides recommendations to enhance public engagement in US particle physics.

Findings

Scientists face barriers and lack support for public engagement.

Structural changes can create a more enabling environment.

Recommendations aim to improve community support for outreach.

Abstract

This Snowmass21 Contributed Paper addresses the structural changes that need to occur in the many groups and organizations that intersect with the US particle physics community to enable impactful public engagement to flourish. The impetus for these changes should come from the particle physics community, which should acknowledge the importance of public engagement and act on the recommendations in this Snowmass contributed paper. Scientists have expressed frustration at the barriers, penalties and lack of support that discourage them from participating in public engagement. In this paper, we provide many ways to create a supportive, enabling atmosphere for public engagement among physicists.