VA (Public & Science) works to promote dialogue and openness between researchers and the public.

VA’s members consist of some 90 organisations, authorities, universities, companies and associations. In addition, it has a number of individual members.

VA’s main aims are:

- To ensure that the public understands what science is, how research works, and its role in society.
- To provide those working in education and research with knowledge about:

public attitudes to research
the importance of dialogue and engagement with society
methods for science communication

- To ensure that decision makers have access to science and recognise the value of dialogue and collaboration between researchers and society at large, and act accordingly.
- To strengthen VA’s role as an expert organisation in dialogue, science communication and public engagement both nationally and internationally.
- To ensure that VA’s members represent a broad range of societal actors. VA seeks to offer something of value to all its members.