Engagers' Digest 23/5/13

In this edition:

University of Bristol engagement
1. Volunteering at Bristol Festival of Nature: 15-16 June
2. Paid evaluation work at Bristol Festival of Nature: 15-16 June
3. PolicyBristol: influencing policy through world-class research

Funding
4. The Classical Association grants: deadlines 1 June and 1 September
5. Connected Communities Funding call: deadline 16 July
6. Wellcome Trust Broadcast Development Awards: deadline 19 July
7. Wellcome Trust People Awards: deadline 26 July
8. The Biochemical Society Scientific Outreach grants: deadline 30 September

Events
9. Public Engagement event at University of Exeter: 18 June

Other news
10. Wanted: Magician in Residence: deadline 10 June
11. Getting involved with ’Bristopia’, At-Bristol: 21 June, 6.30pm
12. Volunteering opportunity for The Big Bang South West: 27 June, Exeter
13. Research Fortnight: How to become a policy savvy researcher

University of Bristol engagement

1. Volunteering at Bristol Festival of Nature: 15-16 June
We are looking for staff and students to help out at the Festival of Nature, the UK's largest free celebration of the natural world, which takes place on the 15 - 16 June. With hands-on exhibits and activities, the Bristol Festival of Nature gives wildlife enthusiasts of all ages the opportunity to explore, enjoy and get close to the natural world in the heart of the city.
Volunteers can help out on a variety of University of Bristol exhibits on themes such as urine infections and microbes, collective complexity, and plant pathology. There's also the chance to volunteer for the Seeds of Change project tent where there will be a range of artistic activities related to the project. For further information please contact Miriea Bes, Centre for Public Engagement, on email: mireia.bes@bristol.ac.uk or tel: 0117 3318315.
Web: http://www.bnhc.org.uk/home/festival.html.

2. Paid evaluation work at Bristol Festival of Nature: 15-16 June
We are looking for someone to manage and coordinate a team of evaluators during the Bristol Festival of Nature festival. You will be paid around £125 for the weekend (lunch and refreshments will be provided); previous experience in carrying out survey work is required.
We also have a few remaining places for people to carry out surveys of the festival-goers as part of the evaluation of the festival. Evaluators will be paid £2.50 per survey (which should be about £50 per day); lunch and refreshments will also be provided and you will have a chance to experience the Festival. Previous experience is not required as training will be provided. This is a great opportunity to gain experience in conducting surveys, especially for those who work with public participants as part of their research.
For further information please contact Kate Miller, Centre for Public Engagement, on email: kate.miller@bristol.ac.uk or tel: 0117 3318321.
Web: http://www.bnhc.org.uk/home/festival.html.

3. PolicyBristol: influencing policy through world-class research
The PolicyBristol website has gone live http://www.bris.ac.uk/policybristol/.
PolicyBristol is a new initiative within the Faculty of Social Sciences and Law. It will be a key vehicle for strengthening our contribution to effective policy development and delivery. The project will be launched publicly later in the year. The team would welcome your engagement in the project, contributions to the blog and feedback on the website. Deborah Wilson, d.wilson@bristol.ac.uk, is Director and Georgina Brereton the Coordinator, georgina.brereton@bristol.ac.uk. Funding is available to support policy engagement activities.
https://www.bris.ac.uk/fssl/current-staff/research-information/policybristol/.


Funding

4. The Classical Association grants: deadlines 1 June and 1 September
The Classical Association awards grants with a total value in the region of £60,000 each year to classical projects. Outreach events are eligible if they tend towards the promotion of public awareness of the importance of classics and/or support classics in schools. Activities might include: public talks or small interactive sessions on the Classical world, reading and discussion groups, and theatrical performances.
For more information see web: http://www.classicalassociation.org/grants.html

5. Connected Communities Funding call: deadline 16 July
The Arts and Humanities Research Council, working in partnership with the Heritage Lottery Fund, wishes to invite applications for a small number of co-ordinating centres to support community engagement activities to connect academic and public histories of the First World War and its legacy. The centres will be expected to act as beacons for community outreach, engagement and collaboration between research organisations and researchers and community groups who are interested in researching and commemorating the First World War, the broader historical and cultural context of the War and its legacy and impact.
If you are interested in being involved or would like more information, contact Valerie Aspin/Jean Pretlove on email: rdm-arts@bristol.ac.uk at the earliest opportunity. Participation to this scheme will need to be approved by the Faculty.

6. Wellcome Trust Broadcast Development Awards: deadline 19 July
The Broadcast Development Awards support the development of broadcast proposals in any genre that engage the audience with issues around biomedical science in an innovative, entertaining and accessible way. The Trust are interested in funding individuals and organisations with brilliant early-stage ideas for TV, radio, new media or gaming projects. The funding, of up to £10,000 will enable these ideas to be developed into high-impact, well-researched proposals that can be used to secure a broadcast platform and/or further funding.
For more information see web: http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/funding/public-engagement/funding-schemes/broadcast-development-awards/index.htm

7. Wellcome Trust People Awards: deadline 26 July
People Awards are for innovative and creative projects that encourage public debate and understanding of biomedical science. They can fund small-to-medium-sized one-off projects or projects that pilot new ideas with an aim to scale up or become sustainable following the grant, or they can part-fund larger projects (up to and including £30 000).
For more information see web: http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/Funding/Public-engagement/Funding-schemes/People-and-Society-Awards/index.htm

8. The Biochemical Society Scientific Outreach grants: deadline 30 September
Grants are available to support activities and events that help communicate the excitement of molecular bioscience to young people and the community. Applications are invited for sums up to £1000 to assist with the direct costs associated with an event and expenses incurred (e.g. transport and/or teacher cover).
For more information see web: http://www.biochemistry.org/Grants/EducationalGrants/ScientificOutreachGrants.aspx


Events and training

9. Public Engagement event at University of Exeter: 18 June
Many research funders are increasing their requirements for public engagement, but what does this really mean when it comes to writing a research proposal or delivering a project? Join in this event organised by the University of Exeter and have the opportunity to speak directly with the research councils and trusts.
For more information see web: http://www.exeter.ac.uk/news/events/details/index.php?event=1054


Other news

10. Wanted: Magician in Residence: deadline 10 June
Watershed and the University of Bristol are disrupting normal residency service and inviting a magician, artist, illusionist or designer to join them for a spell of exploration into creative ideas that blend technology, interaction design, magic and illusion.
Suggested skills: Disappearing interfaces, conjuring circuits, pulling robotic rabbits out of haptic hats.
Further information:
http://www.watershed.co.uk/get-involved/opportunities/2013-06-10/wanted-magician-in-residence/

11. Getting involved with ’Bristopia’, At-Bristol: 21 June, 6.30pm
'Bristopia' is a popular After Hours events where adults get to experience the At-Bristol science centre without the kids. The theme for ‘Bristopia’ is the science of sustainability, climate change and specifically Bristol’s future as a green city. At-Bristol would like to invite other organisations and individuals to participate in the evening to create a broad picture of Bristol as green city, to include the latest thinking and to give you the opportunity to engage with this important and influential audience.
To get involved as a speaker, expert, exhibitor or helper please contact:
Email: chris.dunford@at-bristol.org.uk
http://www.at-bristol.org.uk/1740.html

12. Volunteering opportunity for The Big Bang South West: 27 June, Exeter
The Big Bang is the largest celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths for young people in the UK. The Big Bang South West at the University of Exeter on 27th June needs volunteers to support the events team in a number of roles.
Further information from: http://www.thebigbangfair.co.uk/nearme/volunteer.cfm
email: volunteers@thebigbangfair.co.uk
 
13. Research Fortnight: How to become a policy savvy researcher
This resource lists the support available to researchers to help them gain a better understanding of policy making and how best to bring their work to the attention of those who should be using it.
http://www.researchprofessional.com/0/rr/news/uk/careers/2013/4/how-to-become-a-policy-savvy-researcher.html;jsessionid=51481BE4557227CF4BC4797ED2C29EE7