Engagers’ Digest 21/08/2014

In this edition:

University of Bristol engagement
1. University of Bristol Engage conference – 18 September, At-Bristol
2. Volunteers needed for Bristol Bright Night – deadline 12 September
3. Seeking researchers for Bristol Bright Night cookery workshop – deadline 19 September

Funding and awards
4. Pharmacology outreach/ public engagement grants up to £1,500 – deadline for applications 15 September

Events and training
5. People & Research West of England (PRWE) facilitator training course – deadline for applications 5 September
6. Active Research: six sessions of networking and exercise for researchers – September 2014
7. synergize2014: making collaborative research happen – 22 & 23 September, Lancaster University
8. Communicate 2014: Changing stories – 4 & 5 November, At-Bristol Science Centre, Bristol
News and opportunities
9. BBC seeks experts from minority groups
10. PiBot team seek volunteers for Mini Maker Faire – no deadline
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University of Bristol engagement

1. University of Bristol Engage conference – 18 September, At-Bristol
 Join colleagues and partners at Engage - the University of Bristol’s free annual conference about public engagement. Hear about the future direction of public engagement at Bristol, get inspired by colleagues' activities, and meet and exchange ideas with potential partners over an informal networking lunch. We will be discussing the University’s new Engaged University strategy and there will also be a session on aspects of public engagement that are a priority for staff, students and the University. Attendance at the event also includes a free visit to the rest of At-Bristol so make sure you allow some extra time to explore!

The conference will take place in the At-Bristol conference room. For more details and to register see: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/university-of-bristol-engage-2014-conference-tickets-12396595551 

For further information please contact: cpe-info@bristol.ac.uk or tel: 0117 33 18313.
 
2. Volunteers needed for Bristol Bright Night – deadline 12 September
The Centre for Public Engagement are looking for volunteers to assist in Bristol Bright Night, taking place on the 26 September. We are specifically looking for volunteers to assist in manning stalls at At-Bristol during the event. You will be working with researchers running displays and activities for the public. If you would be interested in taking part, please contact Eleanor Rogers, Bristol Bright Night Intern, via email: Eleanor.rogers@bristol.ac.uk 

3. Seeking researchers for Bristol Bright Night cookery workshop – deadline 19 September
The Centre for Public Engagement are looking for researchers who are interested in attending an informal food workshop during Bristol Bright Night 2014 – part of a Europe-wide EU initiative raising awareness of scientific research. Bristol Bright Night will take place on the 26 September. In this workshop, you will be cooking a meal and having discussions with the public about important food issues, such as sustainability. Please get in touch with Eleanor Rogers, Bristol Bright Night Intern, for more information and to express interest via email: Eleanor.rogers@bristol.ac.uk 

Funding and awards

4. Pharmacology outreach/ public engagement grants up to £1,500 – deadline for applications 15 September
Have you got a great idea for a pharmacology outreach or public engagement activity? Apply for one of the British Pharmacological Society’s (BPS) grant scheme. Grants of £1,500 are available to support innovative pharmacology outreach and public engagement activities. These grants are available to both BPS members and non-members and the project should take place within six months of the application deadline. The deadline for applications is the 15 September. To apply and for more information please visit: http://www.bps.ac.uk/details/educationPage/4342811/Education-grants.html?cat=bps13cb94959d9 

Events and training

5. People & Research West of England (PRWE) facilitator training course – deadline for applications 5 September
PRWE are offering the chance for people with experience of being involved in research to train to become facilitators of ‘Building research partnerships’, a successful and well established public involvement workshop. The course is aimed at people who already have some experience of involvement in research. This training programme would lead to you being paid to run workshops. The deadline for applications is the 5 September. Places are limited. Selection day will take place on 23 September and the first workshop will take place on the 13 October with subsequent dates to follow. For more information and an application form please contact Emma Redstone via email: emma.redstone@weahsn.net or tel: +(0) 117 984 1690.

6. Active Research: six sessions of networking and exercise for researchers – September 2014
‘Active Research’ is a six-week project that aims to bring researchers across similar departments and areas together to discuss their research or career plans, public engagement, ideas , worries and opportunities to engage in physical activity at the same time in the form of a 45 minute walk or run. The project will take place on six consecutive weeks at lunch time. It is not obligatory to attend every week and attendees and topics will be circulated in advance. If you would like more information or would like to take part please contact Tracey Stone via email: active-research@bristol.ac.uk

7. synergize2014: making collaborative research happen – 22 & 23 September, Lancaster University
synergize2014 addresses the greater pressure for research to have impact on society and the economy via collaborative research where academics partner with business, community groups and the wider public. It will bring together a range of innovators to celebrate their projects, demystify practices and terminologies and provide a forum for all stakeholders. For more information and to book please visit: http://www.synergize2014.org/

8. Communicate 2014: Changing stories – 4 & 5 November, At-Bristol Science Centre, Bristol
We are living through a time of immense and accelerated change: environmental, technological and social. Are our well-rehearsed environmental messages and our tried and trusted communications tools still relevant in today’s rapidly evolving world? Communicate 2014: Changing Stories will address this question. Join for two days of inspirational sessions, thought-provoking discussions, practical workshops and outstanding networking opportunities at the UK’s leading conference for environmental communicators. Develop your skills, share best practice and debate the latest challenges with over 150 delegates from NGOs, public sector, media, academia and beyond. For more information and to book please visit: http://www.bnhc.org.uk/communicate/ 

News and opportunities

9. BBC seeks experts from minority groups
The BBC is extending its search for experts from ethnic minorities working in fields that are generally underrepresented in the media. The day-long events are looking for black, Asian or other ethnic minorities (BAME) who are experts in a field of their choosing. The events are open to men and women and will be held in London, Birmingham, Bristol and Salford between this October and March 2015. Each city has a list of subject areas that have been identified as priorities. The events will aim to train 20 to 30 people in an introduction to broadcasting to help academics feel more comfortable appearing on television, radio and online as expert contributors or presenters. For more information please visit the website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/academy

10. PiBot team seek volunteers for Mini Maker Faire – no deadline
The PiBot is a robot developed at the Bristol Robotics Lab that allows anyone to build, program and customise their own personal robot. The PiBot team will be travelling to the Eureka! National Children’s Museum’s Mini Maker Faire on the 30 August and are looking for volunteers to help run a fun interactive ‘build your own robot’ stall. It will involve helping children/ parents to build, code and play with robots and assist in the smooth running of the stall. No formal training required and you just need to be available on the 30 August. Transport will be covered. If you are interested in being involved please contact alice@pibot.org.