Public Engagement as a ‘Pathway to Impact’ – 19 September 2014, H3 Symposium, Hodgkin Huxley House, London, EC1R 3AW

Organised by Charlotte Haigh (University of Leeds, UK)

Registration now open click here.

Presentation submission open, please click here to submit your presentation. (Presentation submission closes 25 August.)

Aims

This meeting aims to highlight the importance of high quality pathways to impact statements on being successful in achieving research grants and showcasing best practice with engaging the public with research.

Both research funders and HEFCE are explicit about the need for HEIs to engage the public both for the general public good and in the creation of research. The Research Councils set out their expectations for public engagement in the ‘Concordat for Engaging the Public with Research’, defining public engagement as any activity that engages the public with research, from communication, to consultation, to public dialogue and the co-creation of research projects.

The aim of the National Co-ordinating centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE, funded by RCUK, HEFCE and the Wellcome Trust) is to inspire and support universities to engage with the public and it has produced the ‘Manifesto for Public Engagement’: a University-level pledge to support public engagement at institutional level. While there is no single definition of public engagement, the NCCPE defines the breadth of activity as:

‘The myriad of ways in which the activity and benefits of higher education and research can be shared with the public. Engagement is by definition a two-way process, involving interaction and listening, with the goal of generating mutual benefit.‘

This symposium will bring together both staff currently working in the public engagement area for the research councils and funders with members of the NCCPE who have the knowledge and know the activities at institutions throughout the HE sector and current scientific researchers who have been successful in their work with engaging the public with their research. There will also be a ideas from those who currently practice science communication with the public.

The final element of the day would be an open forum for short presentations from members of the audience to showcase any ideas and best practice in this field. Please click here if you would like to submit a presentation.

Confirmed Speakers

Keynote speakers:

  • Chloe Sheppard (Wellcome Trust London, UK)
  • Sophie Duncan (NCCPE, Bristol, UK)
  • Katherine Mathieson (British Science Association, London, UK)

Examples of innovative public engagement

  • Dave Lewis (University of Leeds, UK)
  • Lewis Hou (University of Edinburgh, UK)
  • Lizzy Baddeley (University College London, UK)
  • Anisha Tailor (The Physiological Society, UK)

H3 Symposium Programme – for further information contact events@physoc.org