Engagers' Digest 10/08/2012

In this edition:

University of Bristol engagement

1. University of Bristol Engage conference: 26 September
2. Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition proposals

Funding

1. Digital Personhood Sandpit: deadline 24 September
2. Wellcome Trust Small Arts Awards: deadline 26 October
3. Wellcome Trust Peoples and Society Awards: deadline 26 October

Events

1. New Bristol Zoo exhibit: 9 September 
2. Embedding impact analysis in research: 11 September, London

Engagers' Digest 12/10/11

In this edition of the Digest:

University of Bristol engagement

1. Centre for Public Engagement – Engage 2011 slides [all fields; all levels]
2. InsideArts festival including public discussion ‘Art for art’s sake’: 7.30 pm, 20 October 2011, Watershed [all fields; all levels]
3. University of Bristol workshop on public engagement and the REF: 15 November 2011 [all fields]
4. Calls for student nominations, Convocation Awards: deadline 4 November 2011 [all fields; students]
5. The Art of Science exhibition: 17 November 2011, 5-6 pm [all fields; all levels]

Funding

1. JISC Grant Funding: embedding impact analysis good practice in research using business and community engagement practitioners: deadline 31 October 2011 [all fields; all levels]
2. AHRC/ESRC Connected Communities Programme – call to tender to develop a public dialogue activity: deadline 22 November 2011 [Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences]
3. AHRC/ESRC Joint Call ‘Community Engagement and Mobilisation’: deadline 14 December 2011 [Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences]
4. European Commission call for proposals “Researchers’ Night 2012”: deadline 10 January 2012 [all fields; all levels]
5. Science in Society work programme – call for proposals ‘Mobilisation and Mutual Learning Action Plan’: deadline 22 February 2012 [all fields; all levels]

Events & courses

1. NCCPE Engage 2011 29-30 November 2011 – programme now available [all fields; all levels]
   
2. AHRC event ‘Public Engagement in the Arts and Humanities’: 27 October 2011, London [Arts, Humanities; all levels]
3. STEM Outreach Practitioners CoP event ‘Outreach and Widening Participation in Practice: Sharing Activities and Ideas across STEM Disciplines’: 2 November 2011 [STEM; all levels]
4. Communicate 2011 ‘Nature, People, Economics’: 2-3 November 2011 [all fields; all levels]
5. University of Warwick Seminar Series ‘Questionnaires as a method of evaluating impacts of public engagement and non-formal learning’: 16 November 2011 [all fields; all levels]
6. The Royal Society’s Local Heroes programme – a workshop on 22 November 2011, Bristol [all fields; all levels]
7. People and Research South West training ‘An introduction to public involvement in research’: 22 November 2011 [health; all levels]
8. Science Communication Conference – dates announced as 14-15 May 2012; Kings Place, London [STEM; all levels]

Other news

1. School Science Cafes outreach opportunity [STEM; all levels]
2. Call for submission of articles to new journal: DEMESCI [all fields; all levels]
3. INVOLVE membership applications: deadline 31 October 2011 [health; all levels]
4. BNHC - Media and Heritage Placement Opportunity: deadline 11 November 2011 [Heritage; all levels]

University of Bristol engagement

1. Centre for Public Engagement – Engage 2011
The slides of the presentations made by all the speakers at Engage 2011 are now available,
web: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/public-engagement/staff/training/engage2011.html

2. InsideArts festival including public discussion ‘Art for art’s sake’: 7.30 pm, 20 October 2011, Watershed
There are just a few days remaining until the University of Bristol’s first Festival of the Arts and Humanities.
The Festival ends with a public discussion ‘Art for art’s sake’ to discuss the role of the Arts and Humanities in society? To book
email: insidearts-watershed@bristol.ac.uk tel: +44 (0)117 9288515
The full InsideArts programme can be viewed at
web: http://bristol.ac.uk/inside-arts/programme

3. University of Bristol workshop on public engagement and the REF: 15 November 2011
This workshop is relevant for: impact directors, academics who are thinking of putting forward a case study that has a large public engagement component, impact expert support team.
The session will cover how impact through public engagement can be described and evidenced for the REF. It will be led by Maggie Leggett, Head of the Centre for Public Engagement, who worked closely with the National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement and HEFCE to develop the discussion paper that was made available to REF panels to help them develop their guidelines on public engagement. The workshop will include an update on current thinking and an opportunity to discuss case studies in groups.
Date: Tuesday 15 November, 2-4 pm
Venue: University precinct; details will be circulated to attendees.
To register, please email amanda.edmondson@bristol.ac.uk
Further details are available from Maggie Leggett, maggie.leggett@bristol.ac.uk

4. Calls for student nominations, Convocation Awards: deadline 4 November 2011
Celebrate the success of a student (UG and PG) who has made a positive contribution to university life by nominating them for a Convocation Award. The 2011 Awards will be announced at the Convocation Reception on 8 December 2011 and the winners will each receive a £500 prize. The award may be given for any field and can include public engagement with more details and the application procedure from
web: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/alumni/get-involved/groups/convocation/awards/
The closing date for nominations is Friday 4 November 2011.

5. The Art of Science exhibition: 5-6 pm 17 November 2011
A wine reception and prize-giving hosted by Sir Michael Berry. Come and see a science-inspired art exhibition, from researchers here at the University including all the entries from the 2011 competition. All welcome!
Venue: E29 foyer, Medical Sciences Building, University Walk
Web: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/fmvs/artofscience


Funding

1. JISC Grant Funding: embedding impact analysis good practice in research using business and community engagement practitioners: deadline 31 October 2011
Up to £240,000 available for 8 projects of up to £30,000 each and 6 months duration starting from January 2012. Further information from
web: http://www.jisc.ac.uk/fundingopportunities/funding_calls/2011/09/grantcall15_11.aspx

2. AHRC/ESRC Connected Communities Programme – call to tender to develop a public dialogue activity: deadline 22 November 2011
Up to £15,000 to be awarded inclusive of VAT. Further details from
web: http://www.esrc.ac.uk/funding-and-guidance/funding-opportunities/17540/latest-opportunity-6.aspx

3. AHRC/ESRC Joint Call ‘Community Engagement and Mobilisation’: deadline 14 December 2011
The AHRC, in funding partnership with the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), working together under the Connected Communities Programme, have issued a joint call for outline proposals for two large research grants (up to £2.4m fec each) in the area of community engagement and mobilisation. It is expected that one large grant, drawing on insights from across the social sciences and arts and humanities will be made in each of the following areas: Making of Engagement and Regulation of Engagement.
Web: http://www.esrc.ac.uk/funding-and-guidance/funding-opportunities/17540/latest-opportunity-6.aspx

4. European Commission call for proposals “Researchers’ Night 2012”: deadline 10 January 2012
The Researchers' Night will be an occasion for a European-wide public and media event for the promotion of research careers. Activities should to be focused on the public at large, and feature researchers being actively involved and directly in contact with the public.
Web: http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/page/people?callIdentifier=FP7-PEOPLE-2012-NIGHT

5. Science in Society work programme – call for proposals ‘Mobilisation and Mutual Learning Action Plan’: deadline 22 February 2012
This call aims to finance Mobilisation and Mutual Learning Action Plans on Societal Challenges under 3 themes: Synthetic biology; ‘Human enhancement’ technologies; Healthy and active aging.
A brochure is available at web:
http://ec.europa.eu/research/science-society/document_library/pdf_06/mobilisation-mutual-learning-work-programme-2012_en.pdf
Further information from web:
http://ec.europa.eu/research/science-society/index.cfm?fuseaction=public.topic&id=1221


Events & courses

1. NCCPE Engage 2011 29-30 November 2011 – programme now available
Venue: The Bristol Hotel, Prince Street, Bristol, BS1 4QF
Further information web:
www.publicengagement.ac.uk/news-and-events/events/engage-2011-making-impact
To register visit: https://www.survey.bris.ac.uk/nccpe/engage2011/

2. AHRC event ‘Public Engagement in the Arts and Humanities’: 27 October 2011, London
The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) invites you to a one-day event in London to examine both the strategic and the practical challenges for researchers working in the arts and humanities wanting to engage with the public.
The event will also include a session on an upcoming AHRC call on public and community engagement (Research for Community Heritage), part of the Connected Communities programme. In addition, the results of the 2011 AHRC survey on public engagement in the arts and humanities will be presented for the first time.
Date: 10am – 4pm, 27 October 2011
Venue: Avonmouth House, London
Register by 19 October at
web: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/AHRCPE
Further information at web: http://www.ahrc.ac.uk/News/Events/Pages/PEintheArtsandHumanities2011.aspx

3. STEM Outreach Practitioners CoP event ‘Outreach and Widening Participation in Practice: Sharing Activities and Ideas across STEM Disciplines’: 2 November 2011
This one day workshop, supported by the National HE STEM Programme, and organised by the University of Exeter, will explore how higher and further educational institutions, schools, professional bodies and other STEM-related organisations can work together to raise pupils’ aspirations, engage pupils in STEM subjects and encourage increased participation in HE.
With a practical focus, this workshop is intended primarily for two audiences: those considering engaging in Outreach and/or WP activities and wishing to find out more about such work; and those already involved in such activities and who would like to review or evaluate their activities.
The event is free to attend but places are limited to 60, and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Date: 10am - 4pm, 2 November 2011
Venue: At-Bristol, Anchor Road, Harbourside, Bristol, BS1 5BD
To register visit web:
http://www.hestem.ac.uk/event/he-stem-event/outreach-and-widening-participation-practice-sharing-activities-and-ideas-across
For a listing of all the events in this series see web: http://www.hestem-sw.org.uk/news-and-events/events/

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.
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. University of Warwick Seminar Series ‘Questionnaires as a method of evaluating impacts of public engagement and non-formal learning’: 16 November 2011
Bringing together engagement, learning and communication practitioners, evaluators and academic researchers with a shared interest in 'impact'. This seminar will offer insights into the ways in which questionnaires can be used to access a wide range of outcomes. It also offers 'top tips' that every consumer or producer of questionnaire-based evidence of impacts should know. Date: 11am – 4pm 16 November 2011 Cost: £75 including lunch
Register at: web:
https://jensen.wufoo.com/forms/evaluating-impacts-seminar-series-registration/

6. The Royal Society’s Local Heroes programme – a workshop on 22 November 2011, Bristol
Aimed primarily at smaller organisations that traditionally do not have a science focus, such as museums, galleries, archives and libraries this opportunity may be of relevance to some readers. The focus is on developing science activities for schools. Admission is free.
Venue: SS Great Britain
To book visit: http://royalsociety.org/education/local-heroes/
Email: education@royalsociety.org

7. People and Research South West training ‘An introduction to public involvement in research’: 22 November 2011
People and Research South West is a collaborative initiative to support researchers to involve the public in health and social care research, and to support the public in getting involved. We are a partnership of NHS organisations, the University of the West of England and the University of Bristol. This half day course is intended for researchers who would like to involve members of the public in their research projects more effectively. We will consider different models of involvement including how the public can be involved on research panels, advisory groups, as research partners, peer researchers and user-led research. The training will be co-facilitated by Professor David Evans and Research Partner, Rosemary Davies, of the University of the West of England.
Date: 2-5 pm 22 November 2011
Venue: University Hospitals Bristol Education Centre, Upper Maudlin Street, BS2 8AE. Attendance free but booking is required in advance.
Web: http://hls.uwe.ac.uk/suci/people-and-research-south-west.aspx
Email: catrin.richards@uwe.ac.uk, Tel: +44 (0)117 3288809

8. Science Communication Conference – dates announced as 14-15 May 2012; Kings Place, London
A call for proposals will follow shortly.
web: http://www.britishscienceassociation.org/ScienceCommunicationConference

Other news

1. School Science Cafes outreach opportunity
Would you like to share your passion and enthusiasm with the next generation of scientists, engineers and mathematicians? The Gordano School Science Cafes have been running for two years and are always well attended by interested 14 to 16 year olds from North Somerset schools. The format is the same as normal science cafes; a 20 minute presentation by an expert (you!), followed by a short break for refreshments, before finishing with a question and answer session. So if you’re a scientist, engineer or mathematician looking to reach young people in the local area and would like to deliver a science café please do get in contact.
My name is Mark Nelson and I can be contacted at
email: mark.nelson2@n-somerset.gov.uk or tel: +44 (0)1275 885301.

2. Call for submission of articles to new journal: DEMESCI
The Journal of Deliberative Mechanisms in Science (DEMESCI) is an interdisciplinary journal that publishes articles about the relationship between science and the rest of society. Specifically, the journal is dedicated to the mechanisms and methodologies that allow the public to participate in scientific decision-making. The first issue will be available in February 2012.
email: demesci@revistashipatia.com
web: http://www.revistashipatia.com/index.php/demesci

3. INVOLVE membership applications: deadline 31 October 2011
INVOLVE has a key national role supporting public involvement in NHS, public health and social care research. They are looking for people with an understanding and experience of public involvement in research to become members and join their Working Groups. The deadline for making an application for membership of INVOVE is 12 noon on Monday 31st October 2011. Further information from
web: http://www.invo.org.uk/Membership.asp
email: membership@invo.org.uk tel: +44 (0) 2380 651088

4. BNHC - Media and Heritage Placement Opportunity: deadline 11 November 2011
The Bristol Natural History Consortium has been awarded a four year grant (2010-2014) from Heritage Lottery Fund to deliver short placements training new media skills in a heritage context. Applications are now open for the third placement, which will take place from January– June, 2012. Placements are full-time in the BNHC office and trainees receive a monthly bursary stipend of £1200. For further details and an application form please visit
web: http://www.bnhc.org.uk/home/about/skills.html Email: sarah@bnhc.org.uk

JISC funding for embedding impact analysis

JISC Grant Funding: embedding impact analysis good practice in research using business and community engagement practitioners.

Deadline for proposals 12:00 noon UK time on 31 October 2011.
Up to £240,000 available for 8 projects of up to £30,000 each and 6 months duration starting from January 2012.

The Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) has just launched a new funding call to encourage skills sharing between researchers, engagement practitioners and information management specialists. The project, which will be facilitated by the NCCPE, focuses on the highly topical area of research impact. It invites people to form partnerships to synthesise and
share learning about how to embed technology-enabled good practice in impact analysis in research departments, using the expertise of Business and Community Engagement staff.

Further information from:
http://www.jisc.ac.uk/fundingopportunities/funding_calls/2011/09/Grant%20Call%2015_11.aspx

Engagers' DIgest - 5/4/11

Dear all,

While Easter eggs are just on the horizon, there is still time for lots of interesting public engagement in April...

Changing Perspectives: connecting art and science - until end April
You have until the end of April to see the two stunning University of Bristol exhibitions of science-inspired art at the Bristol Gallery and Grant Bradley Gallery. Read our piece in this week's Big Issue - centreforpublicengagement.blogspot.com/2011/04/changing-perspectives-exhibitions.html
Over the coming fortnight hear talks on topics as diverse as 'inspired engineering' and 'manipulating biologies'. Knit yourself a neuron or two on Saturday 9 April at the Grant Bradley Gallery, and try your hand at science-inspired fiction at a workshop on 13 April and open mic on 19 April. More information and event details here - bristol.ac.uk/changingperspectives

In the Digest:

1. Beacon for Wales Social Media for Researchers - 11 April 2011 [all fields]
   
2. Universities Week case study requests - deadlines in April and May [all fields]
   
3. Vice Chancellor's Impact Award [all fields]
   
4. ESRC Festival of Social Science - funding deadline June 2011 [social sciences]
5. Nuffield Council on Bioethics - consultation deadline 15 June [sciences, social sciences]
   
6. NCCPE news and resources [all fields]
   
7. Other events

1. Beacon for Wales Social Media for Researchers - 11 April 2011
Social Media for Researchers is organised by the Beacon for Wales and is FREE to attend. There are only 12 places available so contact the Beacon to reserve your place now: 029 20 870 862, beacon@cardiff.ac.uk Trainer: Dr Alice Bell; Monday 11th April 2011, 1.00 – 4.00pm
3.07 Training Suite, Julian Hodge Study Centre, Cardiff University
More information on this Beacon for Wales event listing.

2. Universities Week case study requests - deadlines in April and May
Universities Week - What's the Big Idea? runs from 13-19 June 2011, with the aim of demonstrating how universities impact on the local community and the UK society as a whole. They are looking for case studies of work that illustrate their 4 main themes - society, research, business and the factshare generator. Deadlines for the case studies are throughout April and May. More information here - http://www.universitiesweek.org.uk/Home.aspx

3. Vice Chancellor's Impact Award - deadline 25 April 2011
The Vice-Chancellor’s Impact Award is part of the New Enterprise Competition 2011. Two awards will be made this year, a winner’s prize of £1500 and a runner-up prize of £500 to individuals or groups showing outstanding innovation in creating economic and/or social impact from their research. The Vice-Chancellor's Impact Award is sponsored by IP Group. More information from the Impact Award site.

4. ESRC Festival of Social Science - funding deadline June 2011
The ESRC Festival of Social Science will be taking place in 2011 from 29 October to 5 November. Applications to participate in the Festival are now welcome and are available at www.esrcfestival.ac.uk.
Two types of applications are available:
a) Applying for support of up to £2000 -- due 3 June
b) Applying for event to be listed: non-supported -- due 17 June
The Festival welcomes event applications targeting a non-academic audience including young people, third sector, the public, business or government.
The guidelines around the aims of the Festival and how to apply are in the Application Guidelines under Organise an Event.

5. Nuffield Council on Bioethics consultation - deadline 15 June 2011
The Nuffield Council on Bioethics has just launched a consultation on emerging biotechnologies - www.nuffieldbioethics.org/biotechnologies. One of the areas they are looking at is public engagement, asking questions such as - What role should public opinion play in the development of policy around emerging biotechnologies? What public engagement activities are, or are not, particularly valuable with respect to emerging biotechnologies? How should we evaluate public engagement activities? Is there something unique about emerging biotechnologies, relative to other complex areas of government policy making, that requires special kinds of public engagement outside the normal democratic channels? Contribute your views!

6. NCCPE news and resources
Check out the latest news and resources from the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement, and subscribe to the mailing list to receive updates yourself.

7. Other events:

Widening Participation through Part-time Provision
Goldsmiths, University of London, Friday 20 May 2011
http://www.uall.ac.uk/

And just a little reminder - we need some light boxes for an exhibition at the Bristol Gallery for 10 days from 14 – 23 October. Please let us know if you can help!

Best wishes,

Philippa

Engagers' Digest - 11/3/11

Dear all,

It's National Science and Engineering Week, and we're heading into a very busy week at CPE, with the Changing Perspectives art/science series kicking off on Friday 18 March. Join us on 19 March for a circus-inspired family-friendly interactive science exhibition at Circomedia, and later in the series for thought-provoking exhibitions, talks and workshops - bristol.ac.uk/changingperspectives. Or tell us what you think about statements like "Our bodies eventually become our own autobiographies", and become part of an artwork in the Grant Bradley Gallery exhibition...

Also in the digest:

1. NCCPE workshop on REF guidance [workshop; all fields; senior academics]
2. AHRC survey of public engagement [survey; arts and humanities; all stages]

3. Vice Chancellor's Impact Award [award; all fields; all stages]

4. Cuts in Culture: The Impact on Creativity [conference; arts and humanities; senior academics]
5. UALL Seminar on Widening Participation through Part-time Provision [seminar; all fields]

6. Wellcome Trust Society Awards [funding; biomedical sciences; all levels]
7. Institute of Physics Public Engagement Grants [funding; physical sciences; all levels]


1. NCCPE workshop on REF guidance - 29 March 2011
Following a very lively session on PE and the REF at the NCCPE's Engage 2010 conference in December, HEFCE have asked the NCCPE to help them draft guidance for the new REF panels, focused on the challenge of assessing the benefits arising from engaging the public with research. The NCCPE are hosting a workshop in Bristol on the 29^th March to consider what that guidance should contain. A follow up workshop with a number of the new panel chairs will be held in May, to introduce the guidance and get feedback on it, before it is published later this year. If anyone is interested in attending the March event, there is more information here: publicengagement.ac.uk/news-and-events/events/ref-workshop.

2. AHRC survey of public engagement - deadline 10 April 2011
AHRC launches new UK survey of public engagement in arts and humanities research. The survey has been designed to gather vital information on arts and humanities researchers’ understanding of and activities in the area of public engagement - as a means of supporting and promoting national and institutional goals in public engagement and, through them, the aspirations of researchers themselves.
ahrc.ac.uk/News/Latest/Pages/PE_survey.aspx

3. Vice Chancellor's Impact Award - deadline 25 April 2011
The Vice-Chancellor’s Impact Award is part of the New Enterprise Competition 2011. Two awards will be made this year, a winner’s prize of £1500 and a runner-up prize of £500 to individuals or groups showing outstanding innovation in creating economic and/or social impact from their research. The Vice-Chancellor's Impact Award is sponsored by IP Group. More information from the Impact Award site.

4. Cuts in Culture: The Impact on Creativity - 11 May 2011
A ring-fence has been promised for teaching in science, technology, engineering and mathematics but where will this leave the arts, humanities and social sciences? Hosted by Research Fortnight, this one-day conference will examine the repercussions of funding cuts to the arts and humanities sector, consider the immediate fallout and the impact on the future of the industry. More information.

5. Widening Participation through Part-time Provision - 20 May 2011
Universities Association for Lifelong Learning (UALL) is holding a seminar about Widening Participation through Part-time Provision, organised by the Widening Participation and Social Network convened by Annette Hayton, at Goldsmiths, University of London, Friday 20 May 2011. More information from the UALL site.

6. Welcome Trust Society Awards - deadline 1 April 2011
The Welcome Trust Society Awards provide grants of over £30,000 for ambitious and creative projects that engage people of all ages and walks of life with developments in biomedical science on a regional or national scale. The scheme is open to anyone with a good idea for engaging people with developments in biomedical science. This might include mediators and practitioners of science communication; science centre/museum staff; artists; educators; health professionals; and academics in bioscience, social science, bioethics and history.
http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/Funding/Public-engagement/Funding-schemes/Society-Awards/index.htm

7. IoP Public Engagement Grant Programme - deadline 2 May 2011
The Institute of Physics public engagement grant scheme is open for applications; up to £1000 is available to individuals and organisations running physics-based events and activities in the UK and Ireland. Deadline - 2nd May 2011.
http://www.iop.org/about/grants/outreach/page_38843.html


And don't miss:

IG Nobel are back at HP Labs again this year. The show will be held in the HP Labs Cabot Auditorium at 5pm on Tuesday 15th March with a drinks reception afterwards. University staff and students are welcome to attend, please let lucy.feilen@hp.com know how many spaces you require.

Engagers Digest - 24/11/10

Dear Colleagues,

Welcome to another edition of the digest, with a range of interesting opportunities in the arts and sciences, and an important update on the REF...


In this issue...

1. REF Impact pilot report [policy update]
2. M-Shed Higher Education event - 1 December 2010 [networking event]
3. AHRC/Radio 3 New Generation Thinkers - deadline 10 December 2010 [media opportunity]
4. Public engagement workshop using Ketso - 10 December (Manchester) and 24 January (London) [workshop]
   
5. Science Communication Conference - 25/26 May 2011 [conference]

Back to contents

1. REF Impact pilot report [policy update]
In 2009/10 Hefce ran a pilot exercise of the proposed 'Impact' sections of the REF. The University of Bristol was one of 27 institutions that made submissions. The submissions have now been analysed by expert panels, and a press release and full report are available from the Hefce site, with recommendations for how research impact, including impact through public engagement, should be assessed in the REF.

Read Maggie's thoughts on how the report relates to public engagement on the CPE REF webpage (PDF, 94 KB) , or leave your comments on this blog post.

Please note that the Centre for Public Engagement is very happy to offer support to researchers in thinking about and describing the impact of their work, particularly in the areas of societal impact and skills. Please contact Philippa or Maggie to discuss.


Back to contents

2. M-Shed Higher Education event - 1 December 2010, 2pm–4pm [networking event]
Join us to discuss what a partnership with Bristol Museums, Galleries and Archives may offer you and your students. Find out more about M Shed, Bristol’s new museum opening in 2011; enjoy an exclusive preview with a guided tour of the building; discover the range of opportunities we offer Higher Education; meet our museum learning team and some of our expert curators; network with professional colleagues from across the region. Light refreshments will be available.

M Shed, Princes Wharf, Harbourside, Bristol BS1 4RN
RSVP by Monday 29 November to Jane Hack, Learning Officer
Tel: 0117 9223619 or E-mail: jane.hack@bristol.gov.uk

Back to contents

3. AHRC/Radio 3 New Generation Thinkers - deadline 10 December 2010 [media opportunity]
The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and BBC Radio 3 have joined forces to find the next generation of public intellectuals. We have launched New Generation Thinkers - a pilot talent scheme for emerging academics with a passion for communicating the excitement of modern scholarship to a wider audience and who have an interest in broader cultural debate.

Up to 60 applicants will have the opportunity to develop programme ideas. More information is available from the AHRC site. In the first instance please contact Dara O'Hare or Hannah Johnson in the University Press Team.

Back to contents

4. Public engagement workshop using Ketso - 10 December (Manchester) and 24 January (London) [workshop]
The developer of Ketso, a hands-on kit for effective group work (Joanne Tippett, University of Manchester) is offering two free workshops, one held at the University of Manchester on 10 December 2010 and one at King's College, London on 24 January 2011. The dialogue will be focussed around 'delivering public engagement, outreach, skills development and enterprise promotion in Universities in a time of budget cuts'.

Please check the Ketso website for further details and for videos of Ketso in Higher Education: http://www.ketso.com/news-events/upcoming-events

Back to contents


5. Science Communication Conference - 25/26 May 2011 [conference]
The British Science Association is working in partnership with the Wellcome Trust to organise this annual event at Kings Place, London. The Conference addresses the key issues facing science communicators in the UK, and each year brings together people who are involved in public engagement - a diverse group of people from a broad range of backgrounds. It is a fantastic opportunity to network, share ideas and good practice. In 2011 there will be a theme of 'online engagement'; submit any proposals for sessions by 26 November via the British Science Association site

Back to contents
Other items of interest:

• Synthetic Biology Science Cafe - 30 November 6pm, Chemistry Department. Details here
• Science Writing Summer School - 18-22 July 2011, Bristol http://sciwriteworkshop.wordpress.com/
• UALL 2011 ANNUAL CONFERENCE - Part Time: the new paradigm for higher education? 20-22 March 2011 at the University of Stirling

That's all for this issue of the Digest. As always we're happy to hear your feedback on the blog or by email.

Best wishes,

Philippa

• Visit bristol.ac.uk/public-engagement


• Read the latest public engagement stories at bristol.ac.uk/publicengagementstories


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REF Impact Pilot and public engagement

Here are some thoughts from Maggie Leggett in the Centre for Public Engagement about the recent report on the REF Impact Pilot:

Public engagement questions arising from the REF Impact Pilot report

In November 2010, Hefce issued a report of the findings from the Impact Pilot exercise, conducted with 27 institutions (including the University of Bristol) in 2009/10. The full report is available here - http://www.hefce.ac.uk/news/hefce/2010/refpilot.htm

In general, from a public engagement perspective this report is positive. There is a recommendation specifically that public engagement should be counted as impact, and looking through the case studies submitted obviously many institutions submitted PE case studies. Features of strong public engagement case studies include:

i. There was a clear link between the department’s research and the engagement activity.
ii. Evidence was provided about dissemination (such as audience or visitor numbers) as well as a clear explanation of the significance or benefits to the audiences.
iii. The activity went beyond ‘business as usual’ engagement (such as public lectures), and attracted widespread interest or involved a programme of activity which was often innovative and was sustainable or created ‘legacy’ resources.
iv. In some cases there were additional, clearly identified benefits to ‘intermediaries’ (such as cultural institutions or curators), local communities or to the economy.

There are, however, some outstanding issues:

1. Evidencing the impact of PE activity. There is an assertion that ‘just activity is not enough’, e.g. ‘Submissions should...make a case for the benefits arising from the public engagement activity. This must go beyond showing how the research was disseminated.’ This seems contradictory with statements elsewhere in the report, where for example media activity with an estimate of audience number is applauded as an end in itself. Assuming activity is not enough, we need clarity on the evidence of the effect of public engagement that is required. It needs to be accepted that in some cases, evidencing the effects of public engagement would require extensive further research to understand what, if any, change in behaviour or knowledge had been prompted by involvement in a public engagement activity. Earlier iterations with HEFCE suggested they had understood this challenge, and would not require that level of evidence. There is mention of satisfaction surveys in the report, and (whatever my personal views are on the value of such things) we need to know if that sort of thing is sufficient evidence, or if they are looking for something more involved (and if so what)

2. Media activity. In the physics feedback there is the following statement which I simply don’t understand: “Care must be taken not to simply reward the efforts of outreach activities themselves as that does not give a clear indication of the quality, and hence societal impact, of the underlying research. Thus, once the issue of ‘sexy’ or media-friendly research topics is factored out it is quite appropriate to assume that greater media interest in a research programme means just that: a greater impact of the research.” I would say media activity is a process, not an impact – but the last sentence of the quote seems to suggest otherwise.

3. Further guidance. There is an assertion from the earth sciences panel that “the panel felt that further guidance on assessing the impact of public engagement would be helpful”. I would suggest we recommend that this guidance is produced in consultation with the HE community, through the National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement (which HEFCE funds and of course which we host in partnership with UWE)

4. Cross over with environment section. There is a comment suggesting that departments should have ‘active, operationalised public engagement activity’ – to show continued engagement with issues rather than one off activity. Whilst I think this is laudable, there may be some inevitable cross over with the environment section

5. What does 4* look like? Finally, I don’t find the report helpful in showing what 4* public engagement case study would look like. I think prompting them to either produce very clear criteria, or mock up examples would be helpful

Some of the pilot case studies have now been published, see http://www.hefce.ac.uk/research/ref/impact/. There are public engagement case studies in English and in Physics, and although they are not graded, they were highly rated by the panels and are published as exemplars. It seems to me there is little 'evidence' of behaviour change - panels have been satisfied with media reach/visitor numbers/satisfaction surveys etc. I would argue that's a good thing, as depending on the project it's almost impossible to get that evidence without running a second research project. The prevalence of working with the media is striking - possibly because it is easy to make the reach sound impressive.

Three members of the Impact Working group have attended meetings with Hefce and Pilot panel members. They have raised some of the above issues. Although no specific answers have been forthcoming, there was a sense that in theory engagement ought to be shown to have some kind of transforming effect to count as highly rated impact. On the other hand it is recognized that finding evidence of this is difficult.

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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

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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?).