Here is the September edition of Engagers’ Digest. Please cascade this bulletin onwards to interested colleagues.
In this edition of the Digest:
University of Bristol engagement- Centre for Public Engagement – Engage 2011 and Discover 2012 [all fields; all levels]
- Talk – ‘Will the real science please stand up?’ - 7 October 2011 3 pm [STEM; all levels]
- InsideArts – The University of Bristol Festival of the Arts and Humanities 18-20 October 2011 [all fields; all levels]
- Poetry Translation Competition for students: submission deadline 30 September 2011 [all fields; students]
- Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition 2012: proposals deadline 24 October 2011 [STEM; all levels]
- Volunteers to talk to Bristol's older people [all fields; all levels]
- Volunteers for Black History Day on 1 November 2011 [Arts & Humanities and Education; all levels]
Funding- RCUK – update on Catalysts public engagement funding [all fields; all levels]
- Association of Art Historians - Museum bursary: deadline 19 November 2011 [AAH members; all levels]
- Institute of Physics Public Engagement Grant Scheme 2012 – deadline 7 November 2011 [physics; all levels]
Events & courses- Ri training ‘How to engage with 7 to 11 year olds’: 24 September 2011 [STEM; all levels]
- Public Engagement Workshops for EPSRC-funded researchers: 30 September 2011 [EPSRC-funded researchers]
- National Science & Engineering Week Info Sessions – 5 October 2011 [STEM; all levels]
- Communicate 2011 ‘Nature, People, Economics’: 2-3 November 2011 [all fields; all levels]
- FameLab science communication competition: 12 November 2011 [STEM; all levels]
- NCCPE Engage 2011 29-30 November 2011 – registration now open [all fields; all levels]
- Community of Practice for STEM Outreach and WP Practitioners - Shadowing Scheme [STEM; all levels]
- Bright Club Bristol: volunteers needed [all fields; all levels]
Internships & placements- ESRC Cabinet Office internship: closing date 30 September 2011 [social sciences; ESRC PhD award holders]
- ESRC Home Office (UK Border Agency) internship: closing date 30 September 2011 [social sciences; ESRC PhD award holders]
- STFC/POST postgraduate placement scheme: closing date 10 October 2011 [STEM; STFC PhD students]
- MRC Policy internship scheme: closing date 31 October 2011 [medical research; MRC PhD students]
University of Bristol engagement1. Centre for Public EngagementEngage 2011 - Just a few days to go until the University’s Engage conference on 29 September so if you’d like to make a last minute registration visit web:
http://www.bristol.ac.uk/public-engagement/staff/training/engage2011.html Discover 2012: Thursday 8 March – Saturday 10 March
Discover is a free, hands-on festival of research that takes place in the heart of Bristol. It is an opportunity for members of the public to come and meet University of Bristol students and academics, to discuss the latest research happening in the city, and get involved in a whole host of demonstrations, challenges and experiments. The aim is to inspire and enthuse local people with University of Bristol research, and open up discussions about the current cutting-edge work and discoveries made in their city.
If you would like to get involved, or are planning your own public event around this time and would like to link with Discover, please contact Dane Comerford on
dane.comerford@bristol.ac.uk, tel: +44 (0) 117 3318315
2. Talk – ‘ Will the real science please stand up?’ - 7 October 2011 3pm A lecture on public engagement with science by Dr Michael Brooks. This lecture will explore the truth about science and scientists and the implications for public engagement with science on fronts as diverse as the media, education, climate change and chats in the pub. Michael Brooks is a New Scientist consultant and the author of Free Radicals: The Secret Anarchy of Science and 13 Things That Don’t Make Sense: The Most Intriguing Scientific Mysteries of our Times.
Venue: Lecture Theatre A1.4, School of Medical Sciences. Admission free.
Further information:
phil.langton@bristol.ac.uk3. InsideArts – The University of Bristol Festival of the Arts and Humanities: 18-20 October 2011 The Arts Faculty is holding the University of Bristol's first Arts Festival, InsideArts. There will be three keynote lectures on themes central to the Arts Faculty, and a range of complementary events and activities such as public talks and workshops, musical performance and a screening of student films.
The Festival culminates in a public discussion at the Watershed on 20 October 7.30 pm - Art for art’s sake? - chaired by Professor Jon Keating, Dean of Science, in which three academics from the Faculty of Arts and three external speakers address the issue of why Arts and Humanities matter.
Further information from web:
http://www.bristol.ac.uk/arts/festival tel: +44 (0)117 92 88515, email:
inside-arts@bristol.ac.uk4. Poetry Translation Competition for students: submission deadline 30 September 2011Fancy your hand at translating poetry? Then why not put your language skills into practice and enter our poetry translation competition. Run as part of the University’s InsideArts festival and open to students at Bristol, Bath and Exeter Universities, the results will be announced at a public event during the festival on 19 October. Modern and classical languages, and British Sign Language are all accepted. Submission deadline: 30 September 2011.
For further information, please see
web:
http://www.bristol.ac.uk/arts/festival/poetry-competition.html and
http://www.bristol.ac.uk/arts/festival/programme/#poetry-workshop5. Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition 2012: proposals deadline 24 October 2011Would you like the opportunity to promote your research to a wide public audience and other key influencers? Each year the Royal Society selects teams from the cutting edge of UK science and technology to showcase their research. The 2012 Summer Science Exhibition will take place from 3 -8 July; why not submit a proposal to be one of the exhibitors in 2012?
For further information see
http://royalsociety.org/How-to-exhibit/Deadline for proposals is Monday 24 October 2011.
Please contact Dane Comerford at the Centre for Public Engagement if you have an idea for an exhibit and are considering applying – we can help you with your proposal, applying for funding and project management;
dane.comerford@bristol.ac.uk, tel (0117) 3318315.
6. Volunteer to talk to Bristol's older peopleThe Students' Union and LinkAge Bristol are looking for volunteers to talk to local older people's groups about fascinating topics (be they academic subjects, personal interests or areas of expertise). If you think you could deliver a talk in an accessible and enjoyable way, and for more information, please email:
rachel.miller@bristol.ac.uk.
7. Volunteers for Black History Day on 1 November 2011The Students’ Union is running a Black History Day on 1 November for school students from 3 local schools. The day will include cultural (music, drama, dance) events and educational workshops. If anybody would like to get involved; to run a workshop, talk or session for year 7 and 8 students that broadly fits the theme of Black History Month, we would love to hear from them. For more information, please email:
rachel.miller@bristol.ac.uk.
Funding 1. RCUK – update on Catalysts fundingFor information: you may have seen the RCUK call for funding ‘Public Engagement with Research:
Catalysts’. We have been informed that the University of Bristol will not be eligible for this funding as Bristol was part of the original Beacons for Public Engagement initiative.
2. Institute of Physics Public Engagement Grant Scheme 2012 – deadline 7 November 2011The first round of the 2012 Public Engagement Grant from the Institute of Physics is now 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/activity/outreach/email:
physics.society@iop.org.
3. Association of Art Historians - Museum bursary: deadline 19 November 2011This scheme aims to create a cross-dialogue between university-level teachers and researchers and museum and gallery curators, and to promote art historical research and its dissemination in museums and galleries through collaboration and individual awards. Awards are tenable for a maximum of 12 months and are worth between £200 and £5,000.
web:
http://www.aah.org.uk/page/3248
Events & courses 1. Ri training ‘How to engage with 7 to 11 year olds’: 24 September 2011 The Royal Institution of Great Britain is holding a one day training course to help improve scientists’ and engineers’ abilities to engage with 7-11 year olds. web:
http://www.rigb.org/contentControl?action=displayEvent&id=1194 2. Public Engagement Workshops for EPSRC-funded researchers: 30 September 2011A workshop for full-time academic researchers funded by EPSRC with at least 2 years post-doc research experience. venue: Bristol Zoo web:
http://www.britishscienceassociation.org/web/ScienceinSociety/EPSRC_workshops/index.htmemail:
events@britishscienceassociation.org3. National Science & Engineering Week Info Sessions: 5 October 2011The National Science & Engineering Week (NSEW) takes place next year from 9–18 March 2012 with the theme “our world in motion.” An information session for NSEW is being run in Bristol on date 5 October 2011 at 6 pm. Come along and find out how you can take part. Venue: SS Great Britain, Viridor Theatre, Western Dockyard, BS1 6TY Further information from web:
http://www.britishscienceassociation.org/web/NSEW/AboutNSEW/InfoSessions/index.htm?source=pscicom&creative=infosess2To register:
http://nsew-bristol.eventbrite.com4. Communicate 2011 ‘Nature, People, Economics’: 2-3 November 2011 Communicate is the annual conference for environmental communicators – bringing together a mix of NGO’s, media professionals, business/CSR, academics and policy makers. Get informed and get involved with the crucial current and upcoming debates in the sector, and get direct feedback on your own communication campaigns. Join us this year for a special focus on:
• The new models of communication –Robin Ince from BBC Radio 4’s Infinite Monkey Cage on using comedy to make a difference
• Reconnecting Nature and Economics – debated by experts from all fields including Futerra, Juliet Davenport of Good Energy, Coca-Cola, RSPB, New Economics Foundation.
• An overview of the Natural Environment White Paper, and a chance to influence the future third sector and policy cooperation of the “Living with Environmental Change” programme.
• Communicating difficult issues – led by Aubrey Manning and Mark Lynas
• The Psychology of Persuasion – with international guests Zoos Victoria presenting their world leading campaign that forever changed the perspective of zoo visitors in Australia.
venue: The Council House, College Green, BS1 5TR
web:
http://www.bnhc.org.uk/home/communicate.htmlemail: Ben Connor
ben@bnhc.org.uk5. FameLab science communication competition: 12 November 2011Beacon for Wales is hosting one of six autumn regional heats of FameLab, the UK's biggest competition for new talent to engage the public in science. The Cardiff heat will take place in Chapter Arts Centre on 12 November 2011. The winner of the regional heats will get the chance to take part in a weekend Masterclass with Professor of Science and Society and Science communication, Kathy Sykes, and experienced trainer, specialising in media & communication skills, Malcolm Love before vying for the title of FameLab champion at the National Final on 21 March 2012 at the Royal Institution of Great Britain where they will have the chance to take home £1,750 to further their career. web:
http://famelab.org/uk email:
beacon@cardiff.ac.uk6. NCCPE Engage 2011 29-30 November 2011Registration now open. Venue: The Bristol Hotel, Prince Street, Bristol, BS1 4QF
Further information web:
http://www.publicengagement.ac.uk/news-and-events/events/engage-2011-making-impact
To register visit:
https://www.survey.bris.ac.uk/nccpe/engage2011/7. Community of Practice for STEM Outreach and WP Practitioners - Shadowing Scheme On offer from HE STEM is a Shadowing Scheme. A school teacher or FE lecturer can spend a day in a university shadowing a lecturer and/or student on a programme relevant to their discipline. In turn, a member of the university's teaching staff can visit a school/FE college to shadow the teacher/ FE lecturer/student for a day. Thereby providing opportunities for schools, FE colleges and universities to develop more collaborative relationships and provide better support for students in their transition to higher education. The scheme will reimburse reasonable travel and out of pocket expenses in return for reflective evaluations of shadowing activities.
web:
http://labspace.open.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=6767 email: Laura Bonner at
m.l.bonner@exeter.ac.uk8. Bright Club Bristol: volunteers neededFollowing the success of Bright Club in London a similar event is being organised for Bristol. Billed as the 'Thinking Person's Variety Night' if you would like to volunteer to take part please contact Hayley Birch on
hayley@soundsofscience.co.ukweb:
http://www.brightclub.org/Internships & placements 1. ESRC Cabinet Office internship: closing date 30 September 2011This joint initiative is an opportunity for current ESRC PhD award holders to undertake an internship at the Cabinet Office working on a topic grounded in the social sciences. Full-time students will receive a funded extension to their award covering the length of the internship and up to a maximum of £3,000 (based on a three-month internship) for travel and accommodation expenses.
http://www.esrc.ac.uk/funding-and-guidance/funding-opportunities/2364/Student_Internship_Scheme_.aspx2. ESRC Home Office (UK Border Agency) internship: closing date 30 September 2011This joint initiative is an opportunity for current ESRC PhD award holders in full-time study or part-time equivalent to undertake an internship at the Home Office working on a topic grounded in the social sciences. The aim of the project will be to contribute evidence to answer key policy or operational questions in the area of UK migration.
http://www.esrc.ac.uk/funding-and-guidance/funding-opportunities/16975/ESRC_and_Home_Office_UK_Border_Agency_internship_initiative_.aspx 3. STFC/POST postgraduate placement scheme: closing date 10 October 2011The scheme provides an opportunity for a postgraduate to be seconded to the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology to assist in providing objective briefing material for MPs and Peers for a three months period.
http://www.stfc.ac.uk/Resources/pdf/2012POSTSTFCApplication.pdf4. Medical Research Council policy internship scheme: closing date 31 October 2011Under this scheme, MRC-funded PhD students will have the opportunity to undertake a three-month policy internship at the Academy of Medical Science offices in central London. Students will be supported by a three-month extension to their MRC PhD stipend while they are based at the academy.
http://www.mrc.ac.uk/Fundingopportunities/Fellowships/Policyinternshipscheme/MRC008130
