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/edgetool2. University of Bristol Engage Conference: 29 September 2011Join 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.ukWeb:
survey.bris.ac.uk/cpe/engage_20113. End of Researchers in Residence (RinR) schemeAn 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.ukWeb:
www.rcuk.ac.uk/media/news/2011news/Pages/RinR2011.aspx4. The NCCPE Public Engagement Ambassadors scheme (PEAs): event 26 July 2011The 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/peasyorkContact:
nccpe.enquiries@uwe.ac.ukWeb:
www.publicengagement.ac.uk/how-we-help/ambassadors-scheme 5. X-change 2011 at the British Science Festival – volunteers needed: application deadline 1 August 2011The 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.htm6. RCUK Pathways to Impact Case studies: deadline 1 August 2011RCUK 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.uk7. Do you know a rising star in science communication: nomination deadline 28 August 2011Nominations 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/joshaward20118. NCCPE resources for working with the mediaWorking 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-headline9. NCCPE Engage 2011 National Conference 29-30 November 2011This 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-impactFinally, 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
