STFC invites all those interested in public engagement (PE) with STFC science and technology to this free one day Public Engagement Symposium, being held on the University of Birmingham campus on 25 November 2013.

Online registration is now open here.

The main aims of the symposium are to share best practice; discuss the STFC programme and the UK national ‘context’ for PE; hear of new developments, e.g. in the new & social media; to better understand the benefits of PE to researchers; and to further build a community of practitioners including networking. There will be fully interactive workshops on getting funding for PE, new and social media, PE made easy and evaluating your PE work etc.

Who can attend?

All researchers who engage with STFC and its supported Laboratories/Facilities are welcome. We particularly welcome participation by early career researchers, and attending can contribute to researchers’ continuing professional development.

STFC can pay up to £100 towards reasonable actual travel and subsistence costs for STFC-funded PhD students, PDRAs and postdoctoral fellows to attend. Please contact Jane Butt, Jane.Butt@stfc.ac.uk to check your eligibility.

The Programme will include:

  • Keynote talks from public engagement champions, including media people, and the strategic importance of public engagement for your Research Organisation and your personal research. PE speakers include Professor Iain Stewart, Professor Jim Al-Khalili and Andrew Cohen, BBC Director of Science Programmes. Professor Alice Roberts (tbc).
  • Hands on Workshops to include Citizen Science and using new and social media, Pathways to Impact, evaluating your PE work and hands on activities etc.
  • A showcase session for anyone with something to offer
  • Exhibits, resources and hands on interactive displays over lunch
  • A chance to meet and discuss with public engagement experts to help you with your PE work, including the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement
  • An opportunity to share your ideas and best practice, learn about developments and network

Registrations

The registration website can be found here.

Please register as soon as possible and at the latest by Monday 18 November 2013. Registered delegates will be sent further details and a final programme in due course.

Exhibitions and resources

If you wish to exhibit or bring resources to the event, please contact Neville Hollingworth:
Neville Hollingworth, Public Engagement Team, Science and Technology Facilities Council,
T. 01793 442175 /  M. work 07776 464335 / E. neville.hollingworth@stfc.ac.uk