Public engagement for social transformation: informing or empowering?

Engagement of the public by researchers and policymakers is crucial to address pressing societal issues. Yet, while it holds the promise of improving interactions among distinct publics, it is not always evident what counts as engagement. This perspective discusses the ambiguity of the engagement construct and associated imaginaries. It explores variations concerning the engagement construct; and uses five lenses to suggest ways of transforming engagement under climate change. It notes that engagement processes need to go beyond informing to empowering the distinct publics to deliberate ways of transforming society, achieving mutually satisfying outcomes, and securing the future of our planet.