Engagers' Digest 19/12/13

In this edition:

University of Bristol engagement
1. New EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account scheme
2. NCCPE Engage competition: deadline 31 March 2014

Funding
3. The Royal Institution administered STEM enrichment and enhancement grants: deadline 31 January
4. The Royal Society Michael Faraday Prize: nominations deadline 31 January

Events and training
5. British Science Association/Wellcome Trust Science Communication Conference: proposal deadline 10 January
6. British Science Festival proposals for family programme: deadline 10 January
7. Connected Communities Research Development Workshop on Addressing the Challenges of Disconnection, Division and Exclusion: deadline 30 January
8. Should genes be public? 18 February 6.30pm, M Shed

Other news
9. New RCUK publication Inspiration to Engage: Concordat for Engaging the Public with Research
10. Food Lab project looking for a for microbiology PhD student

Engagers’ Digest 26/06/12

In this edition:

University of Bristol engagement

1. Job opportunity - Public Engagement Officer: closing date 9 July 2012
2. Bristol Festival of Nature 2012

Funding

1. Wellcome Trust Peoples Awards: deadline 27 July
2. Nominet Trust Digital Edge Programme: deadline 5 September
3. Royal Academy of Engineering Ingenious grants: deadline 21 September 2012
4. RCUK School-University Partnerships Initiative: deadline 25 September 2012
5. Educational Endowment Fund: deadline 5 October

Events

1. Festival in the forest: Up to Nature: 29 June – 1July
2. ‘Get involved in shaping research and building partnerships’ workshop: 12 July
3. Bright Club Bristol: 23 August 2012 (training 27 July)

Other news

1. Editor of new magazine on merging science and art is looking for writers

Engagers’ Digest 14/05/12

In this edition:

University of Bristol engagement

1.    Volunteering at Know your Bristol events

2.    Volunteering (and paid work) at Bristol Festival of Nature

Events

1.    Workshop on student involvement in STEM communication activities: 25 May 2012, Bath

2.    Science cafe - Making blood: 28 May 2012, Bristol

3.    Community Partner Summit: 25 – 26 June 2012, Bristol

4.    NCCPE Engage 2012 conference – call for contributors and session convenors

Other news

1.    RCUK research career case studies

2.    Outreach opportunity – looking for keynote speaker: Skirting Science

Engagers’ Digest – 19/9/11

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

1. Centre for Public Engagement – Engage 2011 and Discover 2012 [all fields; all levels]
2. Talk – ‘Will the real science please stand up?’ - 7 October 2011 3 pm [STEM; all levels]
3. InsideArts – The University of Bristol Festival of the Arts and Humanities 18-20 October 2011 [all fields; all levels]
4. Poetry Translation Competition for students: submission deadline 30 September 2011 [all fields; students]
5. Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition 2012: proposals deadline 24 October 2011 [STEM; all levels]
6. Volunteers to talk to Bristol's older people [all fields; all levels]
7. Volunteers for Black History Day on 1 November 2011 [Arts & Humanities and Education; all levels]

Funding

1. RCUK – update on Catalysts public engagement funding [all fields; all levels]
2. Association of Art Historians - Museum bursary: deadline 19 November 2011 [AAH members; all levels]
3. Institute of Physics Public Engagement Grant Scheme 2012 – deadline 7 November 2011 [physics; all levels]

Events & courses

1. Ri training ‘How to engage with 7 to 11 year olds’: 24 September 2011 [STEM; all levels]
2. Public Engagement Workshops for EPSRC-funded researchers: 30 September 2011 [EPSRC-funded researchers]
3. National Science & Engineering Week Info Sessions – 5 October 2011 [STEM; all levels]
4. Communicate 2011 ‘Nature, People, Economics’: 2-3 November 2011 [all fields; all levels]
5. FameLab science communication competition: 12 November 2011 [STEM; all levels]
6. NCCPE Engage 2011 29-30 November 2011 – registration now open [all fields; all levels]
7. Community of Practice for STEM Outreach and WP Practitioners - Shadowing Scheme [STEM; all levels]
8. Bright Club Bristol: volunteers needed [all fields; all levels]
   

Internships & placements

1. ESRC Cabinet Office internship: closing date 30 September 2011 [social sciences; ESRC PhD award holders]
   
2. ESRC Home Office (UK Border Agency) internship: closing date 30 September 2011 [social sciences; ESRC PhD award holders]
3. STFC/POST postgraduate placement scheme: closing date 10 October 2011 [STEM; STFC PhD students]
   
4. MRC Policy internship scheme: closing date 31 October 2011 [medical research; MRC PhD students]
   

University of Bristol engagement

1. Centre for Public Engagement
Engage 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.uk

3. 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.uk

4. Poetry Translation Competition for students: submission deadline 30 September 2011
Fancy 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-workshop

5. Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition 2012: proposals deadline 24 October 2011
Would 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 people
The 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 2011
The 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 funding
For 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 2011
The 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 2011
This 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 2011
A 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.htm
email: events@britishscienceassociation.org

3. National Science & Engineering Week Info Sessions: 5 October 2011
The 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=infosess2
To register: http://nsew-bristol.eventbrite.com

4. 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.html
email: Ben Connor ben@bnhc.org.uk

5. FameLab science communication competition: 12 November 2011
Beacon 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.uk

6. NCCPE Engage 2011 29-30 November 2011
Registration 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.uk

8. Bright Club Bristol: volunteers needed
Following 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.uk
web: http://www.brightclub.org/


Internships & placements

1. ESRC Cabinet Office internship: closing date 30 September 2011
This 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_.aspx

2. ESRC Home Office (UK Border Agency) internship: closing date 30 September 2011
This 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 2011
The 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.pdf

4. Medical Research Council policy internship scheme: closing date 31 October 2011
Under 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

Engagers’ Digest – 13/7/11

First, a quick plug for items 1 and 2 in this Digest: a request from us, the Centre for Public Engagement, to tell us what you think about Bristol as an engaged university, and information about our upcoming 2011 Engage conference.

Also, some welcome news just in from the School of Biological Sciences. In the light of his knowledge and reputation in public engagement, Dr Michael Pocock has been appointed a member of the RCUK Public Engagement with Research Advisory Panel. Michael is running a citizen science project this summer, Conker Tree Science, and willing volunteers of all ages are invited to register for this exciting project (www.ourweboflife.org.uk/).

Please do cascade this bulletin onwards to interested colleagues.

In this edition of the Digest:

1. An engaged university? Your views needed [all fields; all levels]
2. University of Bristol Engage Conference: 29 September 2011 [all fields; all levels]
3. End of Researchers in Residence (RinR) scheme [all fields; RCUK/Wellcome PGR and Postdocs]
4. NCCPE Public Engagement Ambassadors scheme (PEAs): event 26 July 2011 [all fields; all levels]
5. X-change 2011 at the British Science Festival – volunteers needed: deadline 1 August 2011 [sciences; early career]
6. RCUK Pathways to Impact Case studies: deadline 1 August 2011 [all fields; all levels]
7. Do you know a rising star in science communication: nomination deadline 28 August 2011 [sciences; early career]
8. NCCPE resources for working with the media [all fields; all levels]
9. NCCPE Engage 2011 National Conference: 29-30 November 2011 [all fields; all levels]

1. An engaged university? Your views needed
How do you think we are doing with engagement at Bristol? Are we leading the field, or are there areas where we really need to improve as an institution?
The Centre for Public Engagement would appreciate your ideas and input via this short (10 minute) online survey based on the NCCPE's EDGE self-assessment tool. All those entering will have the chance to win a £25 Amazon voucher.
Web: survey.bris.ac.uk/cpe/edgetool

2. University of Bristol Engage Conference: 29 September 2011
Join colleagues and partners on 29 September at Engage – the University of Bristol’s annual conference about public engagement. Hear about and discuss the changing landscape of public engagement, get inspired by colleagues’ activities and meet and exchange ideas with potential partners over an informal networking lunch.

The Centre for Public Engagement will also be holding further events focussed on ‘Public engagement and research impact’ and ‘Getting started in public engagement’ later in the Autumn Term.

Date: Thursday 29 September 2011, 10:30 am – 2:30 pm
Guest speaker: Sir Roland Jackson, Chief Executive of the British Science Association and Chair of the BBSRC Bioscience for Society Strategy Panel.
Venue: Wills Memorial Building, Reception Room, Queen’s Road, Bristol, BS8 1RJ
Contact: cpe-info@bristol.ac.uk
Web: survey.bris.ac.uk/cpe/engage_2011

3. End of Researchers in Residence (RinR) scheme
An edited statement from RCUK.
From 13 January 2012 Research Councils UK (RCUK) will no longer fund the Researchers in Residence (RinR) scheme. Since the scheme’s inception 17 years ago the opportunities in the sector for researchers and schools to engage with each other have greatly increased. Although having been of value to researchers and schools alike, this specific design of scheme is no longer able to deliver value for money.

RCUK continue to be fully committed to the Public Engagement with Research agenda through the collective and individual activities of the Research Councils. The focus over the next six months of the RinR scheme will be to complete as many placements as possible for those researchers and schools that have already applied to take part before the scheme closes on the 13 January 2012. Because of this, RinR is now closed to any further applications.

In light of this decision, RCUK is keen to hear about your experiences of initiatives that successfully connect researchers with schools whilst demonstrating excellence with impact and value for money. Please send your comments to sis@rcuk.ac.uk
Web: www.rcuk.ac.uk/media/news/2011news/Pages/RinR2011.aspx

4. The NCCPE Public Engagement Ambassadors scheme (PEAs): event 26 July 2011
The NCCPE PEA scheme is for people who are passionate about HE public engagement. Ambassadors might be keen to develop their experience and skills in this area, or to inspire their institution to develop its public engagement work.

The NCCPE is holding their next PEAs networking event on Tuesday 26th July, at the University of York. This is open to anyone who is passionate about public engagement – you might not be a PEA yet, but could be interested in joining the scheme. If you would like to attend this free event, please register at: www.survey.bris.ac.uk/nccpe/peasyork

Contact: nccpe.enquiries@uwe.ac.uk
Web: www.publicengagement.ac.uk/how-we-help/ambassadors-scheme

5. X-change 2011 at the British Science Festival – volunteers needed: application deadline 1 August 2011
The British Science Festival is being held in Bradford from 10-15 September 2011. The British Science Association is looking for volunteers to organise and run the x-change which is an informal round-up of the day’s talks, events and workshops. This is a great opportunity to get experience planning and running public engagement events, meeting speakers and networking with some of the UK’s top science communicators.
Web: www.britishscienceassociation.org/web/ScienceinSociety/x-change/x-change.htm

6. RCUK Pathways to Impact Case studies: deadline 1 August 2011
RCUK are looking to capture a handful of case studies to include within their guidance for Pathways to Impact. We are looking for case studies which include an aspect of public engagement but are also interested in the connections with engaging other audiences (e.g. policy-makers or business) as public engagement will often be part of a broader picture.

Please contact Ruth Potter for further details and a template (deadline for case studies 1 August 2011) ruth.potter@rcuk.ac.uk

7. Do you know a rising star in science communication: nomination deadline 28 August 2011
Nominations for the 2011 Joshua Phillips Award for Innovation in Science Engagement are now open. The Award is open to anyone who is recognised as an up-and-coming talent in science communication, with innovative and new ideas. The successful nominee will receive a personal prize of £1,000 and be appointed as “Science Communicator in residence” at the Manchester Science Festival 2012.

Previous winners include Chris Smith (Naked Scientists), Karen Bultitude (UWE, Bristol), David Price (Science Made Simple) and Steve Cross (UCL).
Web: www.manchestersciencefestival.com/joshaward2011

8. NCCPE resources for working with the media
Working with Graphic Science, the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE) has created new guides and methods to help researchers consider how best to engage the public with their work through the media. The following guides are available:

• Working in TV
• Working with Digital Technologies
• Working with News Media
• Working with Local Radio
• Communicating through the Media

Web: www.publicengagement.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/creating-headline

9. NCCPE Engage 2011 National Conference 29-30 November 2011
This year’s conference has four themes: making an impact with your research; creating an engagement culture; effective partnerships; engaging students. The NCCPE is inviting expressions of interest from delegates willing to hold a 60-minute interactive workshop addressing one or more of the conference themes or to contribute a case study to be discussed in a round table format.

Venue: The Bristol Hotel, Prince Street, Bristol, BS1 4QF
Web: www.publicengagement.ac.uk/news-and-events/events/engage-2011-making-impact

Finally, a pleas from King's College Taunton:

Does Bristol University have a programme of sending lecturers out to local schools? We, at King's College Taunton, are looking for outside academic speakers on any topic to come and lecture to our sixth-form. Please contact teacher Emma Forward if you can help - ejforward@kings-taunton.co.uk

Best wishes,

Fiona and Philippa

RCUK Concordat

A clear summary of the RCUK Concordat for Engaging the Public with Research, written by Chloe Sheppard (RCUK)

The new Concordat for Engaging the Public with Research aims to create a greater focus on and help embed public engagement with research across all disciplines in the higher education and research sectors. Signed by Research Councils UK, the UK Funding Councils, Royal Society, Royal Academy of Engineering and British Academy , the concordat provides a single statement of expectations and responsibilities of research funders in the UK.

Supporters of the Concordat include Universities UK, The 1994 Group, The Russell Group, Wellcome Trust, Association of Medical Research Charities, Institute of Physics, Royal Society of Chemistry, Society of Biology and Academy of Social Sciences.

As research funders, we recognise the benefits of public engagement for research and researchers, as well as society more broadly. We launched the Concordat to build on and strengthen the existing good quality public engagement activity by providing a mandate for universities and research institutes to better value, recognise and support public engagement.

The Concordat consists of a set of principles for the future support of public engagement within research organisations (including universities and research institutes) and, under each principle, an explanation of how it may best be embedded into institutional practices, building on the experiences of universities and research organisations across the UK (such as the Beacons for Public Engagement).

The importance of implementation is recognised by its inclusion within the Principles themselves.

The four principles are:
1) UK research organisations have a strategic commitment to public engagement.
2) Researchers are recognised and valued for their involvement with public engagement activities.
3) Researchers are enabled to participate in public engagement activities through appropriate training, support and opportunities.
4) The signatories and supporters will undertake regular reviews of their and the wider research sector's progress in fostering public engagement across the UK.

Our implementation plan includes working with the National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement and other partners to engage researchers, research managers, support staff and senior managers over the coming year via conferences, workshops and meetings to champion public engagement in the HE sector in the UK and support those within universities and research institutions to achieve the principles of the Concordat.

We have also developed a series of briefings for researchers, research managers, and supporters of researchers and senior Managers. These are on our web page (hosted at http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/per/Pages/Concordat.aspx).

A Concordat steering group (with appropriate representation of the funders and sector bodies) is taking strategic oversight of the implementation and will review progress.
However, we do not wish to provide additional burden to universities and research institutes through additional reporting.

The Concordat therefore states (under Principle 4) that research organisations should themselves monitor and evaluate the efficacy of the public engagement they support in addressing their strategic aims and the extent to which they are meeting the expectations outlined in this Concordat. This Concordat provides a common framework for regular reviews of progress across the sector by the Funders, through existing reporting structures.

We also expect research organisations to work together to develop and share good practice in public engagement and in the implementation of the Concordat.

Finally, Alongside the Concordat, the National Coordinating Centre has produced a Manifesto for Public Engagement. By signing up to the manifesto, institutions can declare their strategic commitment to public engagement, and access additional support and guidance from the NCCPE. For further information please visit www.publicengagement.ac.uk
The NCCPE's website also hosts a wealth of additional resources to support managers and research staff to develop their public engagement activities and institutional strategies.

More on the Concordat including a full list of signatories and supporters can be found at http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/per/Pages/Concordat.aspx

Chloe Sheppard
Senior Policy Manager
Public Engagement with Research
RCUK Strategy Unit

Engagers' Digest - 20/5/10

Dear all,

Welcome to another Digest. A few important dates and opportunities:

1. Bristol BioBlitz - May 21 and 22
Tomorrow is the first day of the Bristol BioBlitz, a 30-hour race against the clock to identify as many species as possible in the Blasie Castle Estate. Come along to join the hunt, or sign up for some of the nature walks including a 4:30am dawn chorus walk! More information here

2. Engage 2010 Marketplace
Thanks to those of you who responded positively to the opportunity to share your engagement work at Engage 2010 on 23 September. This is a great chance to show other groups tools and techniques for engagement you have developed, and the highlights (and low points!) of your experiences. If you are interested in having a table and display board at the meeting, between 12-2pm, please let me know by 30 May.

3. Researchers in Residence
Researchers in Residence (RinR) places enthusiastic early-stage career researchers (PhD and post doc researchers) in host secondary schools to inspire 11-19 year olds about their work.
Participation helps researchers to develop transferable skills and meets funders’ public engagement expectations. Placements are flexible and may comprise demonstrations, discussions, career talks or university visits. Training is provided and researchers funded directly or indirectly by one of the seven UK Research Councils or the Wellcome Trust are eligible to apply.
To apply or find out more call 0845 365 7470 or visit http://www.researchersinresidence.ac.uk/

4. RCUK publication seeks early career researcher profiles
Research Councils UK is calling for researchers who are active in public engagement to take part in a project about their work, in conjunction with the National Co-ordinating Centre and Vitae. More information and a short form to complete is at http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/news/100513.htm

5. Arts and Humanities Research Council/NCCPE event - 16 June, London
Public interest in the arts and humanities has never been greater. But how can academics, researchers and professionals in the arts and humanities and the wider cultural sector grasp the opportunities presented by this enthusiasm? How can their work truly engage the public - for the benefit of themselves, their students, their organisations, and that of the public itself? This event (16 June, 10am-4pm, Glaziers Hall, London) will take this question as its starting point and examine both the strategic and the practical challenges facing those working in the arts and humanities. More information here; click here to register or contact Sophie Duncan at NCCPE.

6. Effective Evaluation for STEM E&E Providers - Thursday 2 September, Bristol
Evaluating activities appropriately is essential to providing schools and colleges with confidence that activities are worthwhile and matched to their students’ needs. Effective evaluation is also a crucial way to assure funders that their money is being well spent, and helps you as STEM providers ensure that your activities are operating as effectively and efficiently as possible. A free one-day workshop for STEM E&E providers - more information at http://www.big.uk.com/events/evaluation/

Impact and evaluation of public engagement

Some outcomes from the workshop on impacts and evaluation.

• There's a lot to learn from reviewing evaluations already done (meta-evaluations). Unfortunately, too often evaluations are done as a check-marking and this needs to be avoided. It's important to take up the lessons learned; RCUK is doing a bit of this by reviewing evaluations.
• Categorising types of impacts and benefits is a critical step in evaluating public engagement.
• There are then stories and matrices that can be developed based on the type of impact being explored.
• Experience shows that quantitative indicators can be hard to find, difficult (and expensive) to measure; qualitative indicators have value. One of the greatest challenges with them, though, is making qualitative evaluations systematic; how to make generalisations and themes emerge from storytelling and case studies etc.

Top tip: Be clear on why you're doing evaluation (while recognising that motivations may change over time)

• How to select measures which reinforce or triangulate other measures or data - need to be creative, but this is worth thinking through.
• Important drivers for impact evaluation are RCUK and other funding councils.
• Need to find ways to ensure it fits your own purposes too.
• Need to be creative in finding ways to record.
• An important starting point for making use of evaluations is a desire to improve your practice. Ultimately, evaluations (at least formative ones, not after activity is over) should inform your practice.
• Evaluations must be simple and not a difficult add-on; efficiencies should be a cornerstone. Participatory methodologies are worth exploring.
• Self-reflection is also a valid tool in evaluation; how did doing something change you and your thinking on an issue, a methodology, etc.? This might be as valuable as any impact evaluation directed to recipients of your activity. For example, if your practice or insight changes as a result of doing something.
• Seeing and quantifying impacts is extremely difficult/unlikely/not realistic with most short-term projects and research. Too much time needs to pass, too many attributing other factors.
• Choosing the right time to evaluate is also key; to get valid feedback (i.e. choosing to gather responses immediately following an event, vs a week or a month or more later).
• Making meaning of results can be challenging; support in understanding the process of drawing conclusions would be helpful.
• Despite usually messy and less than rigorous methods, evaluations that seek trends or generalities are still important. A basic sense of costs vs. benefits of doing something (vs. not doing it) can be really important.
• Evaluating inputs and processes can be really helpful, and more realistic sometimes than looking for long-term impact.
• There's lots of expertise in evaluation out there, just as there are in public engagement. Researchers can't be expected to become experts in this area and so need to have help to connect to appropriate resources and people. This doesn't have to be expensive ongoing evaluation support, just resources, possibly a workshop, etc.
• Language used in evaluations is important - can isolate others.

Steven Hill, Research Council UK Strategy Unit

Dr Steven Hill from Research Councils UK presents perspectives on public engagement as part of the conference plenary, looking specifically at the impact agenda and the role of public engagement.

Excellence, impact and engagement

View more documents from cpebristol.

Some main points below.

According to RCUK, impact means 'demonstrable contribution that excellent research makes to society and the economy'.

Researchers are expected to:

• disseminate their findings widely
• engage with users of research/public
• ensure exploitation of research findings
• equip their students with engagement skills

Engagement matters because:

• research is responsive to societal needs
• benefits of research are shared through talking to the public about it
• it maximises the impact of research - leading to the development of an accessible responsive research base. The public can see the difference that research makes which might inspire the researchers of tomorrow.

The RCUK wants to find out what people think about science and research, and to reach them by engaging them in contemporary research. It also aims to encourage young researchers to engage with the public using different tools to keep people informed.

An example of investment supporting researchers public engagement includes the Beacons for public engagement - an initiative charged with culture change within higher education institutions. RCUK also supports a number of schemes that help researchers engage directly with the public (e.g. NSEW awards, centrally-managed scheme).

Other ways in which RCUK promotes public engagement include:

• supporting the placement of researchers in schools, sowing the seeds of contemporary science in classrooms
• helping early career researchers to communicate their work widely - see the Vitae programme website for further information
• running poster competitions for early career researchers - emphasising impact of their research on society.

Dr Hill also described a forthcoming publication looking at the benefits of public engagement from the perspectives of the researchers. Their conclusions to date are that these benefits can best be described through a narrative/case study approach (do you agree?).