Engagers’ Digest 25/11/11

Here is the Engagers’ Digest; please do cascade this bulletin onwards to interested colleagues. If you would like to submit an item for the next Digest, due 19 December, please email: fiona.hyland@bristol.ac.uk

In this edition:

University of Bristol engagement

1. Invitation to join a working group on paying service users for participation in health research [health; senior academics]

Funding

1. The Wellcome Trust - Arts Awards (UK): large grants deadline 16 Dec; small grants deadline 28 Jan [Arts/STEM; all levels]

Events

1. Invitation to the national launch of ‘A Bristol Curriculum’: 10am 1 December [all fields; all levels]
2. Opportunity to run an activity at ‘Big Wildlife Fair’ in Bristol: 18 February 2012 [all fields; all levels]
3. Bringing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) curricula to life through public engagement: 1 March 2012 [STEM; all levels]

Other news

1. Presentations available from AHRC Public Engagement in the Arts and Humanities 2011 workshop [Arts & Humanities; all levels]

University of Bristol engagement

1. Invitation to join a working group on paying service users for participation in health research
The University of Bristol is part of a new collaboration 'People and Research South West' which is an initiative to support researchers to involve the public in health and social care research, and to support the public in getting involved. This is a partnership of NHS organisations, the University of the West of England and the University of Bristol. One of the issues that the initiative is working on is that of paying the public (service users) for their participation in research projects. Advice from the steering group is that organisations within the group do not have a consistent (or in some cases, any) policies on payments and expenses for patients in health-related research projects. The group is looking to assemble a working group to scope out the options in this area with a view to possibly creating some guidelines for participating organisations and others. The University's representation in the debate on this important issue would be highly valued. If you would be interested in joining the working group please contact Fiona Hyland, Centre for Public Engagement, on email: fiona.hyland@bristol.ac.uk tel: (0117) 33 18324.

Funding

1. The Wellcome Trust - Arts Awards (UK): large grants deadline 16 Dec; small grants deadline 28 Jan
The Wellcome Trust is inviting organisations and individuals to apply for funding through its Arts Awards. The Arts Awards support projects that engage the public with biomedical science through the arts including dance, drama, performance arts, visual arts, music, film, craft, photography, creative writing or digital media. Applications are invited for projects of up to £30,000 through their small & medium-sized grant programme, and for projects above £30,000 through their large grant programme. The aim of the awards is to support arts projects that reach new audiences which may not traditionally be interested in science and provide new ways of thinking about the social, cultural and ethical issues around contemporary science. The scheme is open to a wide range of people including, among others, artists, scientists, curators, filmmakers, writers, producers, directors, academics, science communicators, teachers, arts workers and education officers. Further information from web:
http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/Funding/Public-engagement/Funding-schemes/Arts-Awards/index.htm

Events

1. Invitation to the national launch of ‘A Bristol Curriculum’: 10am 1 December
Julie Finch, Director of Bristol Museums, Galleries and Archives, would like to invite you to the national launch of A Bristol Curriculum at M Shed on Thursday 1st December 2011, 10am - 12.30pm. A Bristol Curriculum is a new model for locally-relevant learning. It uses the power of museum collections to bring to life inspiring BRISTOL examples of the people, places and events that connect us to the big ideas of our world - right here in our city. Please let us know if you are able to attend contacting Jane Hack, Learning Officer jane.hack@bristol.gov.uk by Monday 28th November. If you have not replied by this date and would still like to come, please telephone M Shed Reception on 0117 3526600 on the day of the launch.

2. Opportunity to run an activity at ‘Big Wildlife Fair’ in Bristol: 18 February 2012
To coincide with the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2011 Exhibition, Bristol City Museum will be hosting a 'Big Wildlife Fair' on Saturday 18th February. Perhaps you would like to run an engagement activity to represent your wildlife-related research project at the Fair? Trestle tables will be distributed throughout every floor and gallery within the museum. For further information and to sign up please contact Rhian Rowson, Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, tel: 0117 9223598, email: rhian.rowson@bristol.gov.uk

3. Bringing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) curricula to life through public engagement: 1 March 2012
Organised by the National HE STEM Programme and the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement registration for this event opens early December with speakers and workshop list to be announced shortly.
Venue: Aston Conference Centre, University of Aston
Further information from web:
http://www.publicengagement.ac.uk/news-and-events/events/bringing-science-technology-engineering-and-mathematics-stem-curricula-life-t

Other news

1. Presentations available from AHRC Public Engagement in the Arts and Humanities 2011 workshop
The AHRC held a one-day event in central London on the 27th October that explored how academics, researchers and professionals in the arts and humanities and the wider cultural sector can engage the public in innovative and meaningful ways. Speakers included Professor Sarah Churchwell, (Professor of Public Understanding of the Humanities at UEA), Professor Mark Llewellyn (Strathclyde University), Sophie Duncan (Deputy Director of the NCCPE) and Philip Pothen (AHRC), among others. Presentations and resources from the day are now available from web:
http://www.ahrc.ac.uk/News/Events/Pages/PEintheArtsandHumanities2011.aspx

Invitation to contribute to online training materials in Public Engagement - 8 Dec 2011

The National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement have partnered HE STEM to develop online training materials for researchers who want to engage with the public. The online training materials are targeted at people who are relatively new to public engagement and will provide an introduction to some of the key skills and knowledge that are essential to doing effective public engagement.
They are looking for undergraduates, masters students, PhDs, academics and experts from range of disciplines to talk about their public engagement work. The focus of the videos will be key skills for public engagement, and encouraging contributors to reflect on those skills, what works, what have they learnt and what mistakes they have made.
They are looking for volunteers to take part in short video interviews on Thursday 8th December. Filming location will be confirmed shortly, but it is likely to be a central location in Bristol. The videos will be shot by Picnic Films who specialise in making fun, simple and spontaneous videos that value the contributors, and get the best from their knowledge and experience. You can see some examples of their work here: http://www.picnicfilms.co.uk/?page_id=27
Please email melanie@melaniewindridge.co.uk if you are interested in taking part.

Of cakes and elephants – communicating environmental issues

A reflection from the Communicate conference held on 2^nd and 3^rd November:

“Dost thou think, because thou art virtuous, there shall be no more cakes and ale?”  Thus speaks Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night, my favourite of all Shakespeare’s plays.  But it was interesting to hear these words quoted by Professor Aubrey Manning, the eminent zoologist, at the Communicate conference held in Bristol the other day.  Rather than facing a prim and slightly self-righteous Malvolio, he was facing the equally unappealing prospect of how to communicate difficult environmental issues – the so-called elephant in the room.  A suggestion came from an audience member that the Queen should not be allowed to ship in 500 (or so) horses from around the world for the Olympics because of the environmental impact this will cause, especially considering that horses aren’t exactly thin on the ground in the UK.  

But this is just an extreme example of the issues that all of us face when thinking about our choices in the future.  Will we have to give up our treasured possessions such as the classic cars that Professor Manning admits to being his vice?  Or will it be a lifestyle change – relinquishing the idea that we have a right and the means to have a cheap holiday in the sun?  The idea that life in the future is going to be very different in terms of aspirations, not to mention action, was a major facet of the Elephant in the Room discussion.  But it also ran through the conversations during the rest of the day, in particular the Living with Environmental Change session on communicating across sectors.   Our table struggled to describe examples of effective communication across sectors, especially when communicating scenarios for future behaviour as individuals.  

It seems that many of us, especially those of us who have worked in or alongside those in this research area, are aware of what must be done to minimise our environmental impact.  But that doesn’t mean that we are necessarily able to face up to action ourselves.   Can we really come to terms with the fact that, some day, there may be no more cakes and ale?

Kate Miller (Academic Liaison Officer)

Engagers' Digest 4/11/11

We have a new addition to the Centre for Public Engagement team, Dr Kate Miller has recently taken over the role of Academic Liaison Officer replacing Philippa Bayley and is the first point of contact for academics. She was previously at the Research Councils where she managed EPSRC's public engagement activities as well as doing a stint in the Science in Society team at ESRC. She is looking forward to meeting everyone over the coming months.

Here is the early November edition of Engagers’ Digest.

Please cascade this bulletin onwards to interested colleagues.
In this edition of the Digest:

University of Bristol engagement

1. University of Bristol workshop on public engagement and the REF: 15 November 2011 [all fields]
2. Staff Development courses: various dates [all fields; all levels]
3. The Art of Science exhibition: 17 November 2011, 5-6 pm [all fields; all levels]
4. Music for outreach projects [all fields; all levels]
5. Children of the 90s art exhibition: 10am – 5pm 3 December 2011 [all fields; all levels]

Funding

1. Institute of Physics - Public Engagement Grant Programme (UK) deadline 7 November 2011 [physics; all levels]
2. AHRC call for Research Development Awards: Research for Community Heritage, under the Connected Communities Programme – deadline 6 December [Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences]
   
3. Connected Communities Programme: other calls [Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences; all levels]

Events & event proposals

1. National HE STEM programme event ‘Student involvement in STEM activities: is it a good idea, what works and how can we make it better?’: 14 November 2011 [STEM; all levels]
2. Science Communication Conference 2012: deadline for session proposals 25 November 2011 [all fields; all levels]
3. Impact and Engagement Museums Conference: call for session proposals deadline 27 November 2011 [all fields]
4. NCCPE Engage 2011 29-30 November 2011 – last chance to register [all fields; all levels]
5. People and Research South West training ‘Working together on research’: 8 December 2011 [health; all levels]

Other news

1. Online Media Group for Science [STEM; all levels]

University of Bristol engagement

1. University of Bristol workshop on public engagement and the REF: 15 November 2011
This workshop is relevant for: impact directors, academics who are thinking of putting forward a case study that has a large public engagement component, impact expert support team. The session will cover how impact through public engagement can be described and evidenced for the REF. It will be led by Maggie Leggett, Head of the Centre for Public Engagement, who worked closely with the National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement and HEFCE to develop the discussion paper that was made available to REF panels to help them develop their guidelines on public engagement. The workshop will include an update on current thinking and an opportunity to discuss case studies in groups.
Date: Tuesday 15 November, 2-4 pm
Venue: University precinct; details will be circulated to attendees.
To register, please email amanda.edmondson@bristol.ac.uk
Further details are available from Maggie Leggett, maggie.leggett@bristol.ac.uk

2. Staff Development courses: various dates
University of Bristol staff may be interested in the following courses:

• Plain English for research communications
• Introduction to the media parts 1 and 2
• In the spotlight - communicating with different audiences
• Science writing for popular publication

Further information from:
Web http://www.bris.ac.uk/staffdevelopment/academicstaff/

3. The Art of Science exhibition: 5-6 pm 17 November 2011
A wine reception and prize-giving hosted by Sir Michael Berry. Come and see a science-inspired art exhibition, from researchers here at the University including all the entries from the 2011 competition. All welcome!
Venue: E29 foyer, Medical Sciences Building, University Walk
Web: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/fmvs/artofscience

4. Music for outreach projects
Original music can enhance public engagement work such as exhibits, lectures, films and podcasts. Jean Hasse from the Department of Music has composed music for several other departments in the University - see web: http://visible-music.com/jh_UnivProjects.htm
Jean also helps University of Bristol MA composers find additional scoring projects (films, website films, computer games) in her role as Tutor for the MA in Composition for Film and Television course. Hear samples of her music on 17 November in the Medical Sciences Building, accompanying the Art of Science exhibition (see item above).
Email: j.hasse@bristol.ac.uk

5. Children of the 90s art exhibition: 10am – 5pm 3 December 2011
As a prequel to its 21st birthday in 2012, ALSPAC will be hosting an exhibition that celebrates the best of ALSPAC, based on stories (told through words, images and video) from everyone connected with the world-renowned study. From 12-4pm on the day, ALSPAC researchers will be on hand to discuss their research on topics ranging from asthma, diet and genetics to sexual health, smoking and psychosis. The event has been programmed as part of the Wellcome Trust's 75th anniversary celebrations.
Venue: M Shed, Princes Wharf, Wapping Road, Bristol, BS1 4RN. Admission free, no booking required. For further information contact Dara O’Hare tel: 0117 3310077
email: dara.ohare@bristol.ac.uk web: http://mshed.org/

Funding

1. Institute of Physics - Public Engagement Grant Programme (UK) deadline 7 November 2011
We distributed this opportunity in the September Digest so this is just a reminder. The first round of the 2012 Public Engagement Grant from the Institute of Physics is open for applications. The grants are worth up to £1000 and aim to support physics-based outreach activities in the UK and Ireland throughout 2012. Activities should provide engaging experiences of physics to public audiences.
web: http://www.iop.org/about/grants/outreach/page_38843.html
email: physics.society@iop.org

2. AHRC call for Research Development Awards: Research for Community Heritage, under the Connected Communities Programme – deadline 6 December
The Centre for Public Engagement is currently scoping interest in this call, and will provide support for the organisation of open days etc. that is required. If you are interested in being involved, please contact Kate Miller, Academic Liaison Officer, email: kate.miller@bristol.ac.uk or tel: 0117 3318321.
Working closely with the Heritage Lottery Fund, and potentially other partners, the aim of this initiative is to catalyse and develop sustainable links between expertise in research organisations in the area of community histories and heritage and relevant community groups. It is expected that this will lead to the development of innovative collaborative or co-produced community heritage research projects led by community groups.
http://www.ahrc.ac.uk/FundingOpportunities/Pages/CCResDevAwardsResearchCommunityHeritage.aspx

3. Connected Communities Programme: other calls

• ESRC/AHRC Tender for Public Dialogue activity – deadline 22 November http://www.esrc.ac.uk/funding-and-guidance/funding-opportunities/17540/latest-opportunity-5.aspx

• Supplementary call for scoping studies and reviews focused on Arts and Humanities perspectives on communities – deadline 24 November. This open call aims to add value to the current portfolio of Programme activities by developing further the distinctive perspectives that arts and humanities can bring to our understanding of communities and connectivity, and bring these perspectives to the forefront of wider cross-disciplinary research and debates that have tended become dominated by social science and other perspectives. http://www.ahrc.ac.uk/FundingOpportunities/Pages/CCScopingStudiesAandHPerspectivesonCommunities.aspx
  

• ESRC/AHRC Tender to evaluate the one day Public Dialogue activity – deadline 29 November
  http://www.esrc.ac.uk/funding-and-guidance/funding-opportunities/17540/latest-opportunity-6.aspx
  

• ESRC Community Engagement and Mobilisation – deadline 14 December. The ESRC in funding partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), working together under the Connected Communities Programme, invite outline proposals for two large research grants in the area of community engagement and mobilisation. http://www.esrc.ac.uk/funding-and-guidance/funding-opportunities/17540/latest-opportunity-5.aspx
  

Events & courses / calls for event proposals

1. National HE STEM programme event ‘Student involvement in STEM activities: is it a good idea, what works and how can we make it better?’ 14 November 2011
Through involvement in STEM outreach activities, students gain the experience in communicating their subject to a broad audience, equipping them with important skills for the future and motivating them in their studies. At the same time, the audiences they communicate to, often young people, find the experience of working with young and enthusiastic students a fantastic way of learning STEM material. Student involvement in such activities is now an important part of many university outreach programmes, with a variety of models being used, some offering degree credit and some offering financial reward. The purpose of this workshop is to compare and share good practice in student involvement and to see how we can work together to develop even more effective schemes in the future.
Venue: Wolfson Lecture Theatre, 4 West Building, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY
To register visit web:
http://www.hestem.ac.uk/event/he-stem-event/student-involvement
For other events offered by the programme see
web: http://www.hestem.ac.uk/events

2. Science Communication Conference 2012: deadline for session proposals 25 November 2011
The next Science Communication Conference is 14-15 May 2012 at Kings Place, London and proposals for sessions are now invited. Proposals can be on any topic relating to public engagement but proposals on this year's Conference theme of 'Impact' are particularly welcome. The theme aims to discuss the various ways to measure impact of public engagement activities as well as how scientists will consider the impact agenda of their research. Also proposals are invited under the following broad themes: cultural differences; evaluation; working with business; working with volunteers. To submit a proposal visit web:
http://survey.britishscienceassociation.org/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=l4ML5l4
Further information from web:
http://www.britishscienceassociation.org/web/ScienceinSociety/ScienceCommunicationConference/Call_for_proposals.htm

3. Impact and Engagement Museums Conference: call for session proposals deadline 27 November 2011
The Universities Museums Group and the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement have joined forces to develop a one day conference looking at Impact and Engagement in relation to public engagement in museums. They are currently inviting proposals for taster case studies for this conference, on the 7 February 2012 in Newcastle.
http://www.publicengagement.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/call-proposals-impact-and-evaluation-museums-conference

4. NCCPE Engage 2011 29-30 November 2011 – last chance to register
Venue: The Bristol Hotel, Prince Street, Bristol, BS1 4QF
Further information web: www.publicengagement.ac.uk/news-and-events/events/engage-2011-making-impact
To register visit: https://www.survey.bris.ac.uk/nccpe/engage2011/

5. People and Research South West training ‘Working together on research’: 8 December 2011
People and Research South West is a collaborative initiative to support researchers to involve the public in health and social care research, and to support the public in getting involved. We are a partnership of NHS organisations, the University of the West of England and the University of Bristol. This half day course is intended for both researchers and members of the public involved in research. We will define and discuss the concept of ‘working together’, and also consider wider factors that influence which research projects are conducted. The training will be co-facilitated by Christine Donald (Research Partner), Anne-Laure Donskoy (Research Partner) and Dr Katherine Pollard (Researcher).
Date: 2-5 pm 8 December 2011
Venue: Glenside Campus, University of the West of England, Blackberry Hill, Stapleton,
Bristol, BS16 1DD. Attendance free but booking is required in advance.
Web: http://hls.uwe.ac.uk/suci/people-and-research-south-west.aspx
Email: catrin.richards@uwe.ac.uk, Tel: +44 (0)117 3288809

Other news

1. Online Media Group for Science
Online Media Group for Science is a new site for collecting a series of case studies to explore how different people and organisations use online media to communicate science with a range of audiences. The case studies are intended to be honest and interesting examples of how people and organisations have used online media - what has or hasn’t worked, and why. The site is being curated by a varied group of online users, science journalists, communicators, press officers, academics and policy makers with a common interest in helping everyone to get the most from using online media to reach new audiences. There are four easy ways of getting involved: discuss the posts; recommend organisations or people you think would make good case studies; share your story about how you use online media by using the comments section beneath a post; or provide a new case study for the site.
Web: http://www.omg-science.org.uk/