The Expertise Paradox: Opportunities and Challenges of a Public Psychology Framework

Public psychology is concerned with embedding meaningful connections between the public and psychologists. However, there may be tensions between experientially afforded ‘lived experience’ and conventional understanding of ‘expertise’ that must be navigated thoughtfully between lay audiences and psychologists. In this paper, we critically assess how the often ill-defined concept of conventional expertise may or may not be compatible with a framework of psychology that positions science and society as equally credible agents. We will use this core discussion to argue that a public psychology framework, and its inherent attempts to relocate power and voice within knowledge to members of wider society, may prompt us to rethink the notion of expertise. We argue that by reappraising concepts relating to expertise, scientific progress and impact can be made across the discipline. We conclude with a consideration of how these tensions can be eased; namely, through more embodied partnerships between society and science, such as participatory research methods, a fundamental reappraisal of what constitutes knowledge and expertise within the discipline, and an ongoing concern for intersectionality.