Engagers' Digest - 30/6/10

Dear Colleagues

First, a reminder to sign up to Engage 2010 - the one-day public engagement conference taking place on 23 September. Last week we said that the registration form would be available on our new website - but the site's still in the final throes of development. So in the meantime, you can download the form from: www.bristol.ac.uk/cms/cpe/engage2010-registration.doc, or contact Diane Thorne, tel: 0117 331 8318, email: diane.thorne@bristol.ac.uk, to request a copy by email.

In this issue...

1. Web Testing for the National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement, 15 July


2. NUS Workshop on Student Volunteering, 28 July


3. Science Communication Masterclass, 11 to 14 October


4. Update - University of Bristol at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition, 25 June to 4 July

1. Web Testing for the National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement, 15 July
Do you have an hour to spare? The National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement is looking for people to test its new website. Volunteers will need to be free for one hour on 15 July and there is a small cash incentive for taking part. If interested, please contact Maggie Leggett, tel: 0117 331 8325, email: maggie.leggett@bristol.ac.uk

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2. NUS Workshop on Student Volunteering, 28 July

The NCCPE is running a workshop with the NUS, for Student Union officers and staff with an interest in volunteering, student development, student activities, citizenship and community engagement.It will provide an opportunity for Student Unions to think strategically about the development of their volunteering projects and community engagement work, share experiences, contribute to the development of the 'manifesto' for student volunteering, and explore how this might be used as a tool for Unions to sustain their own volunteering programmes. The workshop will help inform the work of the vinspired students project.

To take part, please register your interest here.
http://www.publicengagement.ac.uk/news-and-events/events/nccpe-and-nus-workshop

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3. Science Communication Masterclass, 11 to 14 October
UWE's Science Communication Unit is running a Masterclass in Science Communication, in Bristol, 11 to 14 October. This is an intensive course created to provide professional development in science communication. Costs are £650 per delegate with a £500 concessionary rate for students, unemployed and low earners.

Register online.

For further information, email: science.communication@uwe.ac.uk

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4. Update: University of Bristol at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition
It's also time for science in the city with the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition . This year's exhibition is taking place at London's Southbank Centre, 25 June to 4 July, and celebrates 350 years of the Royal Society. Bristol academics are involved in a number of co-managed exhibits. To find out more, check out the following links.

Fast and furious: witnessing the birth of Africa's new ocean
Looking deep into model volcanoes
The science of shape-shifting structures

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Hope you're all having a great summer!Don't forget to register for Engage.

Best wishes,
Laura

Engagers' Digest - 23/6/10

Dear colleagues,



Engage 2010 - Registration is open!


Engage 2010, on 23 September in the Victoria Rooms, is the annual conference for the University's public engagement community. This year, hear city leaders’ visions of an engaged university, meet and exchange ideas with colleagues and potential partners, and take part in innovative and interesting training and workshop sessions. Finish the day with a drinks reception and screening of the ‘Mathematical Ethnographies’ films in Royal Fort House, from 5pm.

The registration form will be available on from www.bristol.ac.uk/engage2010 within the next week. For any enquiries please contact my colleague Diane Thorne by email (diane.thorne@bristol.ac.uk) or on 0117 331 8318.

Upcoming events/deadlines:

1. Let's Get Liminal! Artistic Science and Scientific Art - 30 June 2-6pm

What happens in that space where science meets art and art meets science? Come to this half-day seminar in the Centre for Nanoscience and Quantum Information to have a look at what's going on and what will be happening, both at the University and outside. Including special guests Oron Catts, director of SymbioticA, Australia's artistic laboratory dedicated to the research, learning, critique and hands-on engagement with the life sciences, and UK-based artist Kira O'Reilly, a former SymbioticA artist-in-residence. More information: http://www.bris.ac.uk/science/blog

2. Conference - Exploring the What, Why and How of Public Engagement - 6 July

This conference, organised by the Beacon for Wales in collaboration with Vitae, is an introduction to public engagement with presentations from funders, academics and those involved in engagement projects. Come along and find out more about public engagement, what the benefits could be for you and your research and how you might get started.10.30 am – 4.15 pm, Tuesday 6 July, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. More information and registration here

3. AHRC Collaborative Research Training Scheme - Public Engagement training - deadline 9 July 2010

The AHRC has identified a gap in the AHRC’s training strategy for postgraduates in terms of encouraging them to share their research with non-academic audiences, and to engage with wider opportunities offered by public engagement. Awards are offered under two categories - Student Led Initiatives (£2000) and Specialist (£10,000). More information here

4. Wellcome Trust funding - deadline 30 July 2010

The Wellcome Engaging Science grants programme offers over £3 million per year to support projects that aim to inform and inspire the public about biomedical science and its social contexts. Society Awards are focusing on GREY MATTERS: Brain, Mind & Culture - deadline 12 October 2010. Other awards are also open for applications - more information here

5. The Woodward Charitable Trust - deadline 30 November

The fund offers grants of up to £5,000 through their small grants scheme and grants of over £5,000 through their large grants scheme, for projects in areas including arts outreach and environment. More information here

Other items:

For your interest, the English Subject Centre has launched its community engagement webpages, that capture some of the interesting ways English and Creative Writing can link to communities outside HEIs.

http://www.english.heacademy.ac.uk/explore/resources/community/index.php

Just to let you know, I'm going to be out of the office for the next few weeks, but my colleagues Laura Greenwood and Dane Comerford will be writing the Digest in my absence. I'll be back in the office on 20 July, and look forward to seeing all your registrations for the conference!



Best wishes,


Philippa

Twilight talk film: The future of personal computers

Did you miss our Twilight Talk on The future of personal computers? (PDF, 124 KB) with Dr Mike Fraser from the Department of Computer Studies (3 June 2010)? Well, not to worry - thanks to the lovely people at the Watershed, we have a copy to share. Watch the film below to catch up on the discussions.



© Watershed 2010, IPR Policy

Free talk - the cutting edge of nanoscience research

The Bristol Centre for Nanoscience and Quantum Information: A research centre for new opportunities.

Come to a free evening talk about the state-of-the-art Bristol Centre for Nanoscience and Quantum Information (NSQI).

Did you know that its vibration and acoustic noise levels are among the lowest achieved anywhere in the world?

Come along and find out more about the Centre's special features, its cutting edge research, and enjoy a virtual tour of the building.


Time: Tuesday 15 June, 6 pm to 7 pm, FREE

Venue: NSQI, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1FD

To book, email Diane Thorne in the Centre for Public Engagement;
Tel: (0117) 331 8318, Web: bristol.ac.uk/cms/cpe

Engagers' Digest - 3/6/10

Dear colleagues,

Welcome to a sunny edition of the Digest:

Again, a reminder for your diaries - Thursday 23 September 2010, Victoria Rooms. The programme for our annual Engage conference is shaping up and registration will open before the end of June. Engage 2010 will be a one day conference to share experiences and learn about the range of public engagement activity at the University of Bristol. Hear city leaders’ visions of an engaged university, meet and exchange ideas with colleagues and potential partners, and take part in innovative and interesting training and workshop sessions. Finish the day with a drinks reception and screening of the 'Mathematical Ethnographies'.

1. Universities UK - Universities Week: What's the big idea? 14-20 June
UUK's inaugural campaign will highlight the essential role of the UK’s universities and their impact on the economy, culture, society, the environment and much more. Find out how to support and contribute here http://www.universitiesweek.org.uk/Home.aspx


2. Conference - Exploring the What, Why and How of Public Engagement - 6 July
This conference, organised by the Beacon for Wales in collaboration with Vitae, is an introduction to public engagement with presentations from funders, academics and those involved in engagement projects. Come along and find out more about public engagement, what the benefits could be for you and your research and how you might get started.
10.30 am – 4.15 pm, Tuesday 6 July, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay
More information and registration here

3. Vitae - various opportunities for researchers
The researcher development organisation Vitae has a call for evidence of the impact of researcher development (deadline 18 June). They have also opened their Innovate call for innovative training programmes with a deadline of 30 June, and are holding a research staff conference on 4 November 2010.

4. HP Catalyst Initiative Funding
HP is creating a global network of education consortia that will explore new and more effective approaches for preparing students to use their technical, creative, and collaborative ingenuity to address significant social challenges in their community and around the world. Organisations can apply to become consortium members, and receive up to $30k over two years with a number of other benefits. More information here

5. Wellcome Trust funding - deadline 30 July 2010
The Wellcome Engaging Science grants programme offers over £3 million per year to support projects that aim to inform and inspire the public about biomedical science and its social contexts. Society Awards are focusing on GREY MATTERS: Brain, Mind & Culture - deadline 12 October 2010. Other awards are also open for applications - more information here

And don't forget - 12-13 June is the excellent Festival of Nature, where University of Bristol staff and students will be sharing their work under the themes of "Biodiversity is life" and "Technologies for the future". In the run up to the Festival, UoB academics will be speaking at four, free consecutive Science Cafes - more information here

Last but not least, check the NCCPE website for their latest events, including an Open Space event, consultations, and a national conference - http://www.publicengagement.ac.uk/news-and-events

Best wishes,

Philippa

Twilight talk - the future of personal computers

Tonight at the Watershed, 6 pm, Twilight Talk on the future of personal computers.
Bookings through Margery Lever, tel: +44 (0) 117 331 8313.

Science Cafe bonanza

A veritable rash of science cafes next week, Monday 7 - Thursday 10 June, featuring University of Bristol academics. All part of the exciting run up to the excellent Festival of Nature on 12-13 June.

All are free, starting at the usual time of 8pm. No booking is needed.

Monday 7 June at the Tobacco Factory, Raleigh Road, Southville, BS3 1T

How will humans change when the climate does?

Scientists seek to understand nature; philosophers and economists explain human culture. Our combined knowledge has vastly increased, but has control of our world advanced?
This discussion will explore connections between the 'producers' and the 'users' of environmental change research to inform real-world environmental decision-making on many scales.

The speaker is Sarah Cornell
For more information email: dane.comerford@bristol.ac.uk

Tuesday 8 June at At-Bristol, Anchor Road, BS1 5DB

Geoengineering the climate: A brave new world?

Even very substantial cuts in carbon dioxide emissions are unlikely to prevent 'dangerous' climate change, so what other choices are available? This event will discuss alternative engineering options for cooling the planet and explore the risks of not tackling ocean acidification.
Speaker: Andy Ridgwell and Daniela Schmidt
For more information, email: john.polatch@at-bristol.org.uk, or tel: 0117 915 7120

Wednesday 9 June at the Bristol County Sports Club, 40 Colston Street, BS1 5AE

The rise of the Peregrine: A recovering population

As the peregrine falcon spreads into our towns and cities, how will the species fare in the future? This event will consider the consequences of reintroducing birds in other European countries to bolster their populations. The persecution of birds of prey is on the rise. How can we manage their survival?

Speaker is Ed Drewitt - http://eddrewitt.co.uk
For more information email: bristolsciencecafe@googlemail.com Bristol County Sports Club, 40 Colston Street.

Thursday 10 June at the Watershed, 1 Canon's Road, Harbourside, BS1 5TX

A sea of energy

Energy is everywhere: it escapes from buildings; it changes form; it can be captured. But how do we do it? Join in discussions of how small devices can be powered from captured energy and how renewable energy could revolutionise our lives without some of us even noticing.

Speakers: Stephen Burrow, Jeremey King and David Drury
For more information email: dane.comerford@bristol.ac.uk