Monday, 12 July 2010

Engagers' Digest - 14/07/10

Dear Colleagues

Remember to sign up to Engage 2010, the one-day conference on public engagement taking place on 23 September. To register, download the registration form or contact Diane Thorne; tel: 0117 331 8318, email: diane.thorne@bristol.ac.uk to request a copy.

In this issue...


  1. Researchers in Residence scheme
    [opportunity]

  2. Joshua Phillips Award for Innovation in Science Engagement
    [deadline: 10 September 2010]

  3. The Engaging Researcher:Inspiring people to engage with your research
    [booklet]

  4. Online discussion space on public engagement, Vitae
    [forum]

  5. Dissemination workshop: Students, volunteering and the community
    [8 September 2010]

  6. NEW! Centre for Public Engagement website
    [resource]



1. Researchers in Residence scheme [opportunity]

As a PhD student or post doc funded by one of the Research Councils or the Wellcome Trust, you can take part in the Researchers in Residence scheme. This fully funded scheme pairs you with a secondary school, giving you the experience of working with teachers and pupils, while sharing your skills with the school. Taking part in the scheme means spending time in the school, so you can see what it is like to teach, as well as building your confidence and enhancing your CV.

There are schools in and around Bristol that are looking for researchers in fine arts, psychology, biology, chemistry, general science and physics. For further information, visit the Researchers in Residence website, or contact Maggie Leggett at the Centre for Public Engagement; tel: (0117) 3318325, internal 18325, email: maggie.leggett@bristol.ac.uk

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2. Joshua Phillips Award for Innovation in Science Engagement [deadline: 10 September 2010]
Nominations for the 2010 Joshua Phillips Award for Innovation in Science Engagement are now open. The Josh Award is an annual award that recognises excellence, innovation and new talent in science engagement. The winner will be announced and presented with the award at the 2010 Manchester Science Festival this October, where they will be appointed the Festival's Communicator in Residence.

For further information and to download the nomination form , see the Manchester Science Festival website

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3.The Engaging Researcher: Inspiring people to engage with your research [booklet]
Aimed at early career researchers, this booklet provides practical tips on how public engagement can benefit you, your research and the public with whom you engage. Drawing on real life examples, it is full of ideas about how to engage different audiences in a variety of ways including workshops, festivals and working in schools, among others.

Download the booklet (PDF, 1.7 MB).

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4. Online discussion space on public engagement, Vitae [Forum]
This online discussion forum offers a space to discuss the impact of public engagement on you, your work and the members of the public you engage with. To stimulate conversations, Vitae has commissioned a number of articles specifically for this space, drawing from a range of perspectives. All are welcome to engage in the discussion and new articles will be posted on July 14, 16 and 19.

Visit the forum. Further information is available from Rebecca Owens.

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5. Dissemination workshop: Students, volunteering and the community [8 September]
The NCCPE is holding a workshop to present the findings of this vinspired project which has explored all aspects of volunteering among students. There will be a chance to provide feedback on the final project report and research bulletins, as well as a discussion about how best to share future project outcomes.

The workshop will take place in Room 1, NCVO Building, Regent's Wharf, Kings Cross, London. To attend this event, please contact Jennifer Russell at the Institute for Volunteering Research by Friday 30 July. Further information is available on the NCCPE website.

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6. NEW! Centre for Public Engagement website [resource]
The Centre for Public Engagement finally has its new website! Visit bristol.ac.uk/public-engagement to find out about public engagement at the University of Bristol, forthcoming opportunities, latest events and also a space to feedback and tell us what you think...and please do. There's also further information about Engage 2010. Happy surfing!

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That's all for this issue of the Digest. Don't forget to send in your registration forms for Engage 2010. We look forward to seeing you there and hope that you're enjoying the summer.

Best wishes
Laura

Wednesday, 30 June 2010

Engagers' Digest - 30/6/10

Dear Colleagues

First, a reminder to sign up to Engage 2010 - the one-day public engagement conference taking place on 23 September. Last week we said that the registration form would be available on our new website - but the site's still in the final throes of development. So in the meantime, you can download the form from: www.bristol.ac.uk/cms/cpe/engage2010-registration.doc, or contact Diane Thorne, tel: 0117 331 8318, email: diane.thorne@bristol.ac.uk, to request a copy by email.

In this issue...

  1. Web Testing for the National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement, 15 July

  2. NUS Workshop on Student Volunteering, 28 July

  3. Science Communication Masterclass, 11 to 14 October

  4. Update - University of Bristol at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition, 25 June to 4 July



1. Web Testing for the National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement, 15 July
Do you have an hour to spare? The National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement is looking for people to test its new website. Volunteers will need to be free for one hour on 15 July and there is a small cash incentive for taking part. If interested, please contact Maggie Leggett, tel: 0117 331 8325, email: maggie.leggett@bristol.ac.uk

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2. NUS Workshop on Student Volunteering, 28 July

The NCCPE is running a workshop with the NUS, for Student Union officers and staff with an interest in volunteering, student development, student activities, citizenship and community engagement.It will provide an opportunity for Student Unions to think strategically about the development of their volunteering projects and community engagement work, share experiences, contribute to the development of the 'manifesto' for student volunteering, and explore how this might be used as a tool for Unions to sustain their own volunteering programmes. The workshop will help inform the work of the vinspired students project.

To take part, please register your interest here.
http://www.publicengagement.ac.uk/news-and-events/events/nccpe-and-nus-workshop

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3. Science Communication Masterclass, 11 to 14 October
UWE's Science Communication Unit is running a Masterclass in Science Communication, in Bristol, 11 to 14 October. This is an intensive course created to provide professional development in science communication. Costs are £650 per delegate with a £500 concessionary rate for students, unemployed and low earners.

Register online.

For further information, email: science.communication@uwe.ac.uk

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4. Update: University of Bristol at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition
It's also time for science in the city with the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition . This year's exhibition is taking place at London's Southbank Centre, 25 June to 4 July, and celebrates 350 years of the Royal Society. Bristol academics are involved in a number of co-managed exhibits. To find out more, check out the following links.

Fast and furious: witnessing the birth of Africa's new ocean
Looking deep into model volcanoes
The science of shape-shifting structures

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Hope you're all having a great summer!Don't forget to register for Engage.

Best wishes,
Laura

Tuesday, 22 June 2010

Engagers' Digest - 23/6/10

Dear colleagues,



Engage 2010 - Registration is open!


Engage 2010, on 23 September in the Victoria Rooms, is the annual conference for the University's public engagement community. This year, hear city leaders’ visions of an engaged university, meet and exchange ideas with colleagues and potential partners, and take part in innovative and interesting training and workshop sessions. Finish the day with a drinks reception and screening of the ‘Mathematical Ethnographies’ films in Royal Fort House, from 5pm.

The registration form will be available on from www.bristol.ac.uk/engage2010 within the next week. For any enquiries please contact my colleague Diane Thorne by email (diane.thorne@bristol.ac.uk) or on 0117 331 8318.

Upcoming events/deadlines:

1. Let's Get Liminal! Artistic Science and Scientific Art - 30 June 2-6pm

What happens in that space where science meets art and art meets science? Come to this half-day seminar in the Centre for Nanoscience and Quantum Information to have a look at what's going on and what will be happening, both at the University and outside. Including special guests Oron Catts, director of SymbioticA, Australia's artistic laboratory dedicated to the research, learning, critique and hands-on engagement with the life sciences, and UK-based artist Kira O'Reilly, a former SymbioticA artist-in-residence. More information: http://www.bris.ac.uk/science/blog



2. Conference - Exploring the What, Why and How of Public Engagement - 6 July


This conference, organised by the Beacon for Wales in collaboration with Vitae, is an introduction to public engagement with presentations from funders, academics and those involved in engagement projects. Come along and find out more about public engagement, what the benefits could be for you and your research and how you might get started.10.30 am – 4.15 pm, Tuesday 6 July, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. More information and registration here


3. AHRC Collaborative Research Training Scheme - Public Engagement training - deadline 9 July 2010


The AHRC has identified a gap in the AHRC’s training strategy for postgraduates in terms of encouraging them to share their research with non-academic audiences, and to engage with wider opportunities offered by public engagement. Awards are offered under two categories - Student Led Initiatives (£2000) and Specialist (£10,000). More information here


4. Wellcome Trust funding - deadline 30 July 2010


The Wellcome Engaging Science grants programme offers over £3 million per year to support projects that aim to inform and inspire the public about biomedical science and its social contexts. Society Awards are focusing on GREY MATTERS: Brain, Mind & Culture - deadline 12 October 2010. Other awards are also open for applications - more information here


5. The Woodward Charitable Trust - deadline 30 November


The fund offers grants of up to £5,000 through their small grants scheme and grants of over £5,000 through their large grants scheme, for projects in areas including arts outreach and environment. More information here


Other items:


For your interest, the English Subject Centre has launched its community engagement webpages, that capture some of the interesting ways English and Creative Writing can link to communities outside HEIs.


http://www.english.heacademy.ac.uk/explore/resources/community/index.php

Just to let you know, I'm going to be out of the office for the next few weeks, but my colleagues Laura Greenwood and Dane Comerford will be writing the Digest in my absence. I'll be back in the office on 20 July, and look forward to seeing all your registrations for the conference!



Best wishes,


Philippa

Monday, 14 June 2010

Twilight talk film: The future of personal computers


Did you miss our Twilight Talk on The future of personal computers? (PDF, 124 KB) with Dr Mike Fraser from the Department of Computer Studies (3 June 2010)? Well, not to worry - thanks to the lovely people at the Watershed, we have a copy to share. Watch the film below to catch up on the discussions.











© Watershed 2010, IPR Policy

Free talk - the cutting edge of nanoscience research



The Bristol Centre for Nanoscience and Quantum Information: A research centre for new opportunities.

Come to a free evening talk about the state-of-the-art Bristol Centre for Nanoscience and Quantum Information (NSQI).

Did you know that its vibration and acoustic noise levels are among the lowest achieved anywhere in the world?

Come along and find out more about the Centre's special features, its cutting edge research, and enjoy a virtual tour of the building.


Time: Tuesday 15 June, 6 pm to 7 pm, FREE
Venue: NSQI, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1FD

To book, email Diane Thorne in the Centre for Public Engagement;
Tel: (0117) 331 8318, Web: bristol.ac.uk/cms/cpe