Careers talk at City Academy
City Academy in Easton are looking for lunchtime speakers, during National Science and Engineering Week, to talk to pupils from Year 8 and above about their career in academia. Speakers from all STEM disciplines are welcome, women and BME speakers would be particularly appreciated. Talks would probably take place during lunchtime on the 12-16 March. For more details please contact Helen Dyson, email: dysonh@cityacademy.bristol.sch.uk, tel: 0117 9413800 ext 217.
Introduction to the News Media event
Venue: Veysey Building, Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Exeter
Date: 13:30 to 18:00 Thursday 22nd March 2012
This free event is specifically geared towards engineers and scientists with little or no media experience, particularly those whose subject areas are controversial and of interest to the media, and tend to receive a lot of coverage.
If you wish to attend then please send your name, job title, institutional e-mail address and phone number to email: introduction@sciencemediacentre.org
web: http://www.sciencemediacentre.org
Friday, 3 February 2012
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
Engagers' Digest 1/2/12
In this edition:
University of Bristol engagement
Funding
Events
Other news
University of Bristol engagement
1. Volunteering opportunity for Discover 2012: 8 – 10 March
We are looking for staff and students to help out at Discover 2012, the University's free exhibition in The Galleries shopping centre in Broadmead.
University of Bristol engagement
- Volunteering opportunity for Discover 2012: 8-10 March
- Brain Awareness Week at At-Bristol: 12-18 March 2012
- Grant success: AHRC’s Connected Communities
- University of Bristol Engagement Awards: application deadline 13 March 2012
Funding
- ESRC knowledge exchange funding: deadline 7 February 2012
- Heritage Lottery Fund Heritage Grants: deadline 15 February 2012
- The Royal Society Partnership Grants - Funding for School's Science Projects: deadline 24 February 2012
- Wellcome Trust Society Awards: deadline 2 April 2012
Events
- British Science Association Science Cafés in Bristol: next one 27 February 2012
Other news
- Royal Academy of Engineering: nominations for award
- I’m a Scientist, Get me out of Here! Looking for scientists and engineers
- British Science Association Media Fellowship: applications deadline 11 March 2012
University of Bristol engagement
1. Volunteering opportunity for Discover 2012: 8 – 10 March
We are looking for staff and students to help out at Discover 2012, the University's free exhibition in The Galleries shopping centre in Broadmead.
Thousands of school children and members of the public will be coming to try out hands-on exhibits covering research from all faculties. Volunteers can take school groups around the exhibition or help out on stalls, and are welcome to come for anything from a two hour slot to a full day (or more). Training will be provided.
Staff wishing to help out need to agree any absence during normal working hours with their line manager. For further information please contact Dane Comerford or Ben Earley on
email: cpe-info@bristol.ac.uk or tel: 0117 3318313
http://www.bris.ac.uk/pwe/volunteering.html
http://www.bristol.ac.uk/public-engagement/events/discover-2012/
2. Brain Awareness Week at At-Bristol: 12-18 March 2012
Having involved Bristol researchers in Brain Awareness Week for a number of years, At-Bristol is looking for new volunteers to deliver a variety of successful activities. Brain Awareness Week forms part of At-Bristol's Meet the Expert programme of face-to-face engagement between scientists and the public. During Brain Awareness Week, At-Bristol gives over part of their exhibition space to hands-on table-top activities, facilitated by researchers, At-Bristol staff and volunteers. Before the week At-Bristol can deliver a training session so you feel prepared to engage visitors and they are also on hand throughout the week to provide support. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact John Polatch on email: john.polatch@at-bristol.org.uk
3. Grant success: AHRC’s Connected Communities
Congratulations to Professor Robert Bickers and his team on being awarded a £25k grant under the Connected Communities call. The grant is a collaboration between researchers in History, Drama, Computer Science and the Centre for Public Engagement. It aims to develop sustainable links between arts and humanities expertise in the area of community histories and heritage with relevant community groups, local heritage organisations and neighbourhood projects in Bristol. Six roadshows will be held throughout Bristol in May and June which will focus on different communities or localities. This will hopefully lead to the further development of innovative collaborative or co-produced community heritage research projects led by community groups, and involving university researchers.
http://www.bristol.ac.uk/public-engagement/events/discover-2012/
2. Brain Awareness Week at At-Bristol: 12-18 March 2012
Having involved Bristol researchers in Brain Awareness Week for a number of years, At-Bristol is looking for new volunteers to deliver a variety of successful activities. Brain Awareness Week forms part of At-Bristol's Meet the Expert programme of face-to-face engagement between scientists and the public. During Brain Awareness Week, At-Bristol gives over part of their exhibition space to hands-on table-top activities, facilitated by researchers, At-Bristol staff and volunteers. Before the week At-Bristol can deliver a training session so you feel prepared to engage visitors and they are also on hand throughout the week to provide support. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact John Polatch on email: john.polatch@at-bristol.org.uk
3. Grant success: AHRC’s Connected Communities
Congratulations to Professor Robert Bickers and his team on being awarded a £25k grant under the Connected Communities call. The grant is a collaboration between researchers in History, Drama, Computer Science and the Centre for Public Engagement. It aims to develop sustainable links between arts and humanities expertise in the area of community histories and heritage with relevant community groups, local heritage organisations and neighbourhood projects in Bristol. Six roadshows will be held throughout Bristol in May and June which will focus on different communities or localities. This will hopefully lead to the further development of innovative collaborative or co-produced community heritage research projects led by community groups, and involving university researchers.
4. University of Bristol Engagement Awards: application deadline 13 March 2012
A reminder that applications are open for the University's Engagement awards for 2011/12. Two awards will be made this year, one to an individual and one to a group showing outstanding achievement in public engagement. Further information is available from Kate Miller in the Centre for Public Engagement email: kate.miller@bristol.ac.uk tel: (0117) 3318321 or from web: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/public-engagement/staff/engagement-awards
Funding
1. ESRC knowledge exchange funding: deadline 7 February 2012
See previous Digest posting:
http://centreforpublicengagement.blogspot.com/2012/01/royal-society-nominations-deadline-6.html
2. Heritage Lottery Fund Heritage Grants: deadline 15 February 2012
Under the Heritage Grants scheme funding is available for projects that relate to the national, regional or local heritage of the UK.
HLF welcome applications from single organisations and partnerships. The HLF also makes grants of £50,001 - £1 million; and Grants in excess of £5 million. These are subject to different application deadlines information on which can be access through the link below. The next closing date for applications is the 15th February 2012.
http://www.hlf.org.uk/howtoapply/programmes/pages/heritagegrants.aspx
3. The Royal Society Partnership Grants - Funding for School's Science Projects: deadline 24 February 2012
The next round of Partnership Grants is open for applications. Through the scheme, grants of between £250 and £3,000 will be available to support teachers, scientists and engineers help develop science projects. Any UK primary or secondary school teacher or practising scientist/engineer can apply as long as the students involved in the project are between 5 and 18. Applications must be made together with the partner, and need to be signed by the teacher, partner and schools' headteacher.
Further information from web:
http://royalsociety.org/education/partnership/
4. Wellcome Trust Society Awards: deadline 2 April 2012
The Wellcome Trust has announced that its Society Awards are now open for applications. 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.
http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/Funding/Public-engagement/Grants/Society-Awards/index.htm
Events
1. British Science Association Science Cafés in Bristol
These Science Cafés run on the last Monday of the month, every month (except December) and explore the latest ideas in science and technology in a relaxed, informal atmosphere. The title of February’s café hosted by Professor Paul Martin, of the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, is ‘The Battle for your Body: does inflammation help or hinder wound healing and cancer’
8 – 10 pm 27 February 2012
venue: The Tobacco Factory, Raleigh Rd, Bedminster, Bristol, BS3 1TF
further information: http://bscia-bsba.org.uk/science-cafe/
Other news
1. Royal Academy of Engineering: nominations for award
If you would like to nominate someone for the Rooke medal for the public promotion of engineering please email awards@raeng.org.uk by 27 February 2012.
http://www.raeng.org.uk/prizes/public
2. I’m a Scientist, Get me out of Here! Looking for scientists and engineers
This is an online event where students get to meet and interact with real scientists. It’s an X Factor-style competition between the scientists, where the students are the judges. Students submit questions which the scientists will try to answer by the next day. Students then have live online MSN-style chats with the scientists, where they ask questions, learn more about the scientists, and let scientists know their opinions. It will take place online 12–23 March 2012. They are looking for scientists and engineers to take part. For eligibility and further information see web:
http://imascientist.org.uk/scientist-registration
http://imanengineer.org.uk/
3. British Science Association Media Fellowship: applications deadline 11 March 2012
Open to researchers from PhD level upwards; scientists, social scientists, engineers and clinicians can experience life in the heart of the newsroom by applying for a British Science Association 2012 Media Fellowship. Spend 3-8 weeks this summer working with hosts including the BBC, Guardian and Nature to produce accurate, well-informed news about developments in science, and work alongside the UK’s top science editors in the British Science Festival Press Centre. For eligibility criteria and the application form go to web:
http://www.britishscienceassociation.org/web/scienceinsociety/MediaFellowships/
1. ESRC knowledge exchange funding: deadline 7 February 2012
See previous Digest posting:
http://centreforpublicengagement.blogspot.com/2012/01/royal-society-nominations-deadline-6.html
2. Heritage Lottery Fund Heritage Grants: deadline 15 February 2012
Under the Heritage Grants scheme funding is available for projects that relate to the national, regional or local heritage of the UK.
HLF welcome applications from single organisations and partnerships. The HLF also makes grants of £50,001 - £1 million; and Grants in excess of £5 million. These are subject to different application deadlines information on which can be access through the link below. The next closing date for applications is the 15th February 2012.
http://www.hlf.org.uk/howtoapply/programmes/pages/heritagegrants.aspx
3. The Royal Society Partnership Grants - Funding for School's Science Projects: deadline 24 February 2012
The next round of Partnership Grants is open for applications. Through the scheme, grants of between £250 and £3,000 will be available to support teachers, scientists and engineers help develop science projects. Any UK primary or secondary school teacher or practising scientist/engineer can apply as long as the students involved in the project are between 5 and 18. Applications must be made together with the partner, and need to be signed by the teacher, partner and schools' headteacher.
Further information from web:
http://royalsociety.org/education/partnership/
4. Wellcome Trust Society Awards: deadline 2 April 2012
The Wellcome Trust has announced that its Society Awards are now open for applications. 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.
http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/Funding/Public-engagement/Grants/Society-Awards/index.htm
Events
1. British Science Association Science Cafés in Bristol
These Science Cafés run on the last Monday of the month, every month (except December) and explore the latest ideas in science and technology in a relaxed, informal atmosphere. The title of February’s café hosted by Professor Paul Martin, of the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, is ‘The Battle for your Body: does inflammation help or hinder wound healing and cancer’
8 – 10 pm 27 February 2012
venue: The Tobacco Factory, Raleigh Rd, Bedminster, Bristol, BS3 1TF
further information: http://bscia-bsba.org.uk/science-cafe/
Other news
1. Royal Academy of Engineering: nominations for award
If you would like to nominate someone for the Rooke medal for the public promotion of engineering please email awards@raeng.org.uk by 27 February 2012.
http://www.raeng.org.uk/prizes/public
2. I’m a Scientist, Get me out of Here! Looking for scientists and engineers
This is an online event where students get to meet and interact with real scientists. It’s an X Factor-style competition between the scientists, where the students are the judges. Students submit questions which the scientists will try to answer by the next day. Students then have live online MSN-style chats with the scientists, where they ask questions, learn more about the scientists, and let scientists know their opinions. It will take place online 12–23 March 2012. They are looking for scientists and engineers to take part. For eligibility and further information see web:
http://imascientist.org.uk/scientist-registration
http://imanengineer.org.uk/
3. British Science Association Media Fellowship: applications deadline 11 March 2012
Open to researchers from PhD level upwards; scientists, social scientists, engineers and clinicians can experience life in the heart of the newsroom by applying for a British Science Association 2012 Media Fellowship. Spend 3-8 weeks this summer working with hosts including the BBC, Guardian and Nature to produce accurate, well-informed news about developments in science, and work alongside the UK’s top science editors in the British Science Festival Press Centre. For eligibility criteria and the application form go to web:
http://www.britishscienceassociation.org/web/scienceinsociety/MediaFellowships/
Wednesday, 18 January 2012
The Royal Society & ESRC opportunities
1] The Royal Society is inviting nominations for the:
2] ESRC Knowledge Exchange opportunities: deadline 7 February 2012
The ESRC knowledge exchange funding call includes public engagement within the call.
The scheme provides the opportunity to apply for funding for knowledge exchange activities at any stage of the research lifecycle, and is aimed at maximising the impact of social science research outside academia.
The flexibility built into the scheme is intended to encourage applicants to think creatively about knowledge exchange, and applications are welcomed for either a single activity or a combination of activities; be it setting up a network to help inform the development of a research proposal, arranging an academic placement with a voluntary or business organisation, or developing tools such as podcasts and videos aimed at communicating the results of research to non-academic audiences.
Applicants can apply for projects up to one year in duration. However, the proposed start date should be no earlier than 1 September 2012. Call information is at: http://www.esrc.ac.uk/funding-and-guidance/collaboration/knowledge-exchange/opportunities/index.aspx
- The Michael Faraday Prize - awarded to the scientist or engineer whose expertise in communicating scientific ideas in lay terms is exemplary. For further details, eligibility information and to download the nomination form for this award, please see http://royalsociety.org/awards/michael-faraday-prize/
- The Royal Society Kohn Award - for UK-based early-career stage scientists who have undertaken high-quality public engagement activities that have had (or will have) a strategic impact on institutions, organisations and cultures. For further details, eligibility information and to download the nomination form for this award, please see http://royalsociety.org/awards/kohn-award/
2] ESRC Knowledge Exchange opportunities: deadline 7 February 2012
The ESRC knowledge exchange funding call includes public engagement within the call.
The scheme provides the opportunity to apply for funding for knowledge exchange activities at any stage of the research lifecycle, and is aimed at maximising the impact of social science research outside academia.
The flexibility built into the scheme is intended to encourage applicants to think creatively about knowledge exchange, and applications are welcomed for either a single activity or a combination of activities; be it setting up a network to help inform the development of a research proposal, arranging an academic placement with a voluntary or business organisation, or developing tools such as podcasts and videos aimed at communicating the results of research to non-academic audiences.
Applicants can apply for projects up to one year in duration. However, the proposed start date should be no earlier than 1 September 2012. Call information is at: http://www.esrc.ac.uk/funding-and-guidance/collaboration/knowledge-exchange/opportunities/index.aspx
Friday, 13 January 2012
Engagers' Digest 13/01/12
In this edition:
University of Bristol engagement
Funding
Events
Other news
University of Bristol engagement
1. Engagement awards: application deadline 13 March 2012
We are pleased to announce the Engagement awards for 2011/12, sponsored by the Society of Merchant Venturers. Two awards will be made this year, each of £500, one to an individual and one to a group showing outstanding achievement in engagement. Individuals or groups can apply for the awards, or be nominated by a colleague. More details can be found on web: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/public-engagement/staff/engagement-awards/ or contact Kate Miller on email: kate.miller@bristol.ac.uk tel: (0117) 33 18321.
2. Enhancing STEM Academics' Public Engagement Skills
An online guide entitled "Delivering Effective STEM Public Engagement" has been produced as part of a University of Bristol-led project which aims to help academics working in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM subjects) to design and carry out public engagement workshops with school children. The guide, which was funded by the National HE STEM Programme, is available to download from the project's website:
http://www.hestem-sw.org.uk/widening-participation/wp-projects/?p=16&pp=Training+Resources+for+STEM+Public+Engagement
3. SYBHEL synthetic biology short story competition: deadline 16 April 2012
The SYBHEL Project has launched a multimedia synthetic biology short story competition to imaginatively consider the issues around synthetic biology through the creation of fictional narratives. The stories can be told using a range of different media including, writing, film, animation, graphic novels, spoken word or music. The competition is open to anyone over the age of 16 and more details can be found on web: http://sybhel.org/?p=761#
Funding
1. Wellcome Trust Peoples Awards: deadline 27 January 2012
Awards of up to £30,000 are available under the Wellcome Trust's Peoples Awards for projects that encourage public debate and understanding of biomedical science. Projects can be funded for up to three years and can include activities such as:
The Centre for Public Engagement is able to provide assistance with planning and developing applications; contact Kate Miller on email: kate.miller@bristol.ac.uk if you are interested in applying for this scheme.
2. The Physiological Society public engagement grants: deadline 29 February 2012
The Physiological Society is launching a new grant scheme to support public engagement. A total of £5000 is available to both Society members and non-members to engage with public audiences on a topic that relates to physiology. Further information from web: http://www.physoc.org/public-engagement-grants
3. JISC Grant Funding Call: deadline 1 March 2012
The NCCPE has partnered with JISC to fund an opportunity for researcher groups to develop their capability to analyse and articulate the impact and benefits of their work, by working in partnership with FE and HE staff who have expertise in impact analysis. The objective is to stimulate the cross-pollination of existing expertise and technology to enhance capacity in the impact analysis of research across the sector.
Funding of up to £30,000 per project is available to support three-way
collaborative partnerships comprising:
Events
1. Bringing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) curricula to life through public engagement: 1 March 2012
Organised by the National HE STEM Programme and the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement, this one day workshop explores the role of public engagement within the STEM curriculum, and its impact on students, on universities and on the public. This event will provide training and guidance on models of community-engaged learning and explore pedagogic and assessment issues. Academics, students, community partners and practitioners from all disciplines and areas are invited and up to £1000 in funding will be provided following the workshop for academics and practitioners to develop their practice in STEM disciplines.
Venue: Aston Conference Centre, University of Aston
Web: http://www.publicengagement.ac.uk/news-and-events/events/bringing-science-technology-engineering-and-mathematics-stem-curricula-life-t
2. Bright Club: 1 March 2012, 7:30pm
Bright Club, the thinking person's variety night, has come to Bristol. Fresh from a sell-out first gig, they are looking for people who are brilliant at telling stories about what they know to take part in the second show. The training session for participants will be on the afternoon of Friday 3 February. For more details, see http://brightclubbristol.wordpress.com/ or contact Hayley Birch on email: hayley@soundsofscience.co.uk
3. The Rules of Engagement Seminar Series
The Culture Capital Exchange has organised a series of informal seminars aimed at assisting academic researchers communicate their research in a range of public situations and media. Topics covered include expressing complex ideas in an accessible way, making the most of networking, top tips on public speaking, blogging, tweeting, and presenting yourself and your ideas to the media.
Venue: Somerset House, London
For details about the individual sessions and to book:
a) Engaging in non-academic context: 25 January, 6-8pm http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2651993183
b) Communicating with non-academic groups: 1 March, 6-8pm http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2652053363
c) Broadcasting your ideas: 29 March, 6-8pm
http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2652067405
4. Surveying Impact: Using Questionnaires to Evaluate Learning and Engagement Outcomes: 24 February 2012
Questionnaires offer a standardised method of collecting both quantitative and qualitative data. The sampling, distribution and analysis of questionnaires must be very carefully designed. This seminar will go over best practice principles as well as new and innovative ways of using
questionnaires to validly and reliably measure impacts.
Venue: Dana Centre, London
Web: http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/sociology/news/scd/publicengagement/#Surveying Impact 24 Feb. 2012
5. BIG Event 2012: 25-27 July 2012
The British Interactive Group Annual Event is a prestigious conference that brings together 150+ STEM engagement and associated professionals from across the UK and beyond to share skills and experiences, develop professional links and keep up-to-date with the STEM engagement field. BIG is the skills-sharing network for individuals involved in the communication of science, technology, engineering and maths.
Venue: National Railway Museum, York
Web: http://www.big.uk.com
Other news
1. The British Science Association Award Lectures: nominations deadline 27 January 2012
The British Science Association is seeking nominations for Award Lectures to be delivered during the British Science Festival in Aberdeen between 4th and 9th September 2012. The Award Lectures reward five researchers who are also talented communicators and able to share their work with a general audience. The deadline for nominations is the 27th January. For details of eligibility criteria and the nomination form, visit
http://www.britishscienceassociation.org/web/BritishScienceFestival/aboutthefestival/AwardLectures.htm
2. Developing public engagement projects during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games
Graphic Science, with funding from the Wellcome Trust, have produced a document which contains some information that may be of use to any individuals or organisations looking to develop public engagement projects during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games: http://www.graphicscience.co.uk/files/support_for_engagement_during_London_2012.pdf
University of Bristol engagement
- Engagement awards: application deadline 13 March 2012 [all fields; all levels]
- Enhancing STEM Academics' Public Engagement Skills [STEM; all levels]
- SYBHEL synthetic biology short story competition: deadline 16 April 2012 [all fields; all levels]
Funding
- Wellcome Trust Peoples Awards: deadline 27 January 2012 [biomedical science; all levels]
- The Physiological Society public engagement grants: deadline 29 February 2012 [physiology; all levels]
- JISC Grant Funding Call: deadline 1 March 2012 [all fields; all levels]
Events
- Bringing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) curricula to life through public engagement: 1 March 2012
- Bright Club: 1 March 2012, 7:30pm
- The Rules of Engagement Seminar Series: various dates
- Surveying Impact: Using Questionnaires to Evaluate Learning and Engagement Outcomes: 24 February 2012
- BIG Event 2012: 25-27 July 2012
Other news
- The British Science Association Award Lectures nominations deadline 27 January 2012
- Developing public engagement projects during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games
University of Bristol engagement
1. Engagement awards: application deadline 13 March 2012
We are pleased to announce the Engagement awards for 2011/12, sponsored by the Society of Merchant Venturers. Two awards will be made this year, each of £500, one to an individual and one to a group showing outstanding achievement in engagement. Individuals or groups can apply for the awards, or be nominated by a colleague. More details can be found on web: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/public-engagement/staff/engagement-awards/ or contact Kate Miller on email: kate.miller@bristol.ac.uk tel: (0117) 33 18321.
2. Enhancing STEM Academics' Public Engagement Skills
An online guide entitled "Delivering Effective STEM Public Engagement" has been produced as part of a University of Bristol-led project which aims to help academics working in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM subjects) to design and carry out public engagement workshops with school children. The guide, which was funded by the National HE STEM Programme, is available to download from the project's website:
http://www.hestem-sw.org.uk/widening-participation/wp-projects/?p=16&pp=Training+Resources+for+STEM+Public+Engagement
3. SYBHEL synthetic biology short story competition: deadline 16 April 2012
The SYBHEL Project has launched a multimedia synthetic biology short story competition to imaginatively consider the issues around synthetic biology through the creation of fictional narratives. The stories can be told using a range of different media including, writing, film, animation, graphic novels, spoken word or music. The competition is open to anyone over the age of 16 and more details can be found on web: http://sybhel.org/?p=761#
Funding
1. Wellcome Trust Peoples Awards: deadline 27 January 2012
Awards of up to £30,000 are available under the Wellcome Trust's Peoples Awards for projects that encourage public debate and understanding of biomedical science. Projects can be funded for up to three years and can include activities such as:
- Workshops and seminars
- Arts projects for a variety of different audiences and age groups
- Teaching materials or techniques to encourage wider discussions
- Projects that utilise the collections of the Wellcome Library and the Wellcome Collection at the Science Museum.
The Centre for Public Engagement is able to provide assistance with planning and developing applications; contact Kate Miller on email: kate.miller@bristol.ac.uk if you are interested in applying for this scheme.
2. The Physiological Society public engagement grants: deadline 29 February 2012
The Physiological Society is launching a new grant scheme to support public engagement. A total of £5000 is available to both Society members and non-members to engage with public audiences on a topic that relates to physiology. Further information from web: http://www.physoc.org/public-engagement-grants
3. JISC Grant Funding Call: deadline 1 March 2012
The NCCPE has partnered with JISC to fund an opportunity for researcher groups to develop their capability to analyse and articulate the impact and benefits of their work, by working in partnership with FE and HE staff who have expertise in impact analysis. The objective is to stimulate the cross-pollination of existing expertise and technology to enhance capacity in the impact analysis of research across the sector.
Funding of up to £30,000 per project is available to support three-way
collaborative partnerships comprising:
- Research groups seeking to develop their capabilities in analysing and articulating the impact and benefits of their research
- Business and Community Engagement (BCE) practitioners with expertise in identifying external impact and benefits, and designing institutional services for this purpose
- Leading research information management expertise and resources for impact evidence.
Events
1. Bringing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) curricula to life through public engagement: 1 March 2012
Organised by the National HE STEM Programme and the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement, this one day workshop explores the role of public engagement within the STEM curriculum, and its impact on students, on universities and on the public. This event will provide training and guidance on models of community-engaged learning and explore pedagogic and assessment issues. Academics, students, community partners and practitioners from all disciplines and areas are invited and up to £1000 in funding will be provided following the workshop for academics and practitioners to develop their practice in STEM disciplines.
Venue: Aston Conference Centre, University of Aston
Web: http://www.publicengagement.ac.uk/news-and-events/events/bringing-science-technology-engineering-and-mathematics-stem-curricula-life-t
2. Bright Club: 1 March 2012, 7:30pm
Bright Club, the thinking person's variety night, has come to Bristol. Fresh from a sell-out first gig, they are looking for people who are brilliant at telling stories about what they know to take part in the second show. The training session for participants will be on the afternoon of Friday 3 February. For more details, see http://brightclubbristol.wordpress.com/ or contact Hayley Birch on email: hayley@soundsofscience.co.uk
3. The Rules of Engagement Seminar Series
The Culture Capital Exchange has organised a series of informal seminars aimed at assisting academic researchers communicate their research in a range of public situations and media. Topics covered include expressing complex ideas in an accessible way, making the most of networking, top tips on public speaking, blogging, tweeting, and presenting yourself and your ideas to the media.
Venue: Somerset House, London
For details about the individual sessions and to book:
a) Engaging in non-academic context: 25 January, 6-8pm http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2651993183
b) Communicating with non-academic groups: 1 March, 6-8pm http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2652053363
c) Broadcasting your ideas: 29 March, 6-8pm
http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2652067405
4. Surveying Impact: Using Questionnaires to Evaluate Learning and Engagement Outcomes: 24 February 2012
Questionnaires offer a standardised method of collecting both quantitative and qualitative data. The sampling, distribution and analysis of questionnaires must be very carefully designed. This seminar will go over best practice principles as well as new and innovative ways of using
questionnaires to validly and reliably measure impacts.
Venue: Dana Centre, London
Web: http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/sociology/news/scd/publicengagement/#Surveying Impact 24 Feb. 2012
5. BIG Event 2012: 25-27 July 2012
The British Interactive Group Annual Event is a prestigious conference that brings together 150+ STEM engagement and associated professionals from across the UK and beyond to share skills and experiences, develop professional links and keep up-to-date with the STEM engagement field. BIG is the skills-sharing network for individuals involved in the communication of science, technology, engineering and maths.
Venue: National Railway Museum, York
Web: http://www.big.uk.com
Other news
1. The British Science Association Award Lectures: nominations deadline 27 January 2012
The British Science Association is seeking nominations for Award Lectures to be delivered during the British Science Festival in Aberdeen between 4th and 9th September 2012. The Award Lectures reward five researchers who are also talented communicators and able to share their work with a general audience. The deadline for nominations is the 27th January. For details of eligibility criteria and the nomination form, visit
http://www.britishscienceassociation.org/web/BritishScienceFestival/aboutthefestival/AwardLectures.htm
2. Developing public engagement projects during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games
Graphic Science, with funding from the Wellcome Trust, have produced a document which contains some information that may be of use to any individuals or organisations looking to develop public engagement projects during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games: http://www.graphicscience.co.uk/files/support_for_engagement_during_London_2012.pdf
Monday, 5 December 2011
The role of engaged learning
In the past couple of years a major buzzword in public
engagement, at least in the academic environment, has been engagement with
research. This is not entirely
surprising given the requirement of Pathways to Impact
to link public engagement activities to the research in the grant. It’s even less surprising given the current
demands for impact in the forthcoming national REF exercise,
which again makes the connection between engagement and the underpinning
research. So it was heartening to hear a
different form of engagement being discussed at the NCCPE’s Engage
2011 conference: engaged students.
Students doing public engagement as part of their degree was
the topic of two sessions I attended on the second day of the conference. The first session focused on postgraduates at
a University of Bath Doctoral Training Centre, which contains a module on
public engagement. The second session
(which just happened to be run by us at the Centre for Public Engagement!)
considered case studies of engaged learning for undergraduates. These case studies ranged from sociology at
the University of Cambridge through to American students learning language and
culture in Siena, Italy (where they talk about it as service learning, but the
UK and the US have never been consistent in terminology). And of course there was our own example of
engaged learning in the form of our community-based
learning project for 3rd and 4th year civil
engineering students. Admittedly,
postgraduate students and, to some extent, undergraduate students carry out
research so these activities could be considered a facet of engagement with
research. But realistically, many of
these projects are just as, if not more, interested in the value of the skills
and experiences that the activities offer to the students – particularly in
terms of employability.
Engaged learning raises some interesting questions. Should such engagement be compulsory and, if
so, will that lessen the quality of the engagement? Will it mean that certain students do not
pursue a particular degree course because of the public engagement
obligations? Will public engagement
become a box-ticking exercise for students rather than something they
deliberately invest time and effort in?
Feedback from the projects discussed at Engage does not seem to reflect
this rather gloomy outlook. The students
are genuinely motivated to do public engagement and are excited by the
opportunities presented to them. But
these are certainly questions to be considered by those of us looking to embed
public engagement in the student experience.
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