1 Public engagement 2 1

This publication was produced by the University’s Centre for Public Engagement, a small support Contents service department dedicated to supporting This booklet contains just a few Public engagement across the University. It is part of the Communications and Marketing Division. highlights of public engagement at . It is impossible to include all the stories and case studies that we would engagement like to showcase, and we encourage you Professor of to also look at our online collection at Sciences and Society bristol.ac.uk/publicengagementstories Kathy Sykes Introducing our approach The pace of change in public engagement policy 2-3 Co-generated research Maggie Leggett Guy Orpen over recent years has been – UHBristol Academic exciting and challenging. Nearly five years have passed since I joined the Public engagement is part of the fabric of this Rheumatology Unit – Working regionally University and set up the Centre for Public Engagement institution, and has been for many years. Increasingly, public engagement is – The University of Local Knowledge viewed by the funders as an intrinsic part in its current form. We have seen significant change in From my point of view, as Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and – ALSPAC of research and teaching and funding that time, most of which has been incredibly positive. Enterprise, it is an intrinsic part of academic life and the way in which mechanisms have changed accordingly. Working with schools we think about and carry out research. Gone are the days when research 4-5 Research has shown that our academics are more Some stand alone sources of grants for was a solitary activity within an ivory tower. Researchers are increasingly committed than ever to engaging the public with their public engagement have been closed, and – Working with Merchants’ Academy working in multi-disciplinary teams with a diverse range of people and work, and increasingly their interest is in involving instead funders are expecting to see these – Bristol ChemLabS organisations feeding into their work, to enable them together to tackle activities costed into grant applications. – Graduate School of Education people at the ‘front end’ of research: taking into account complex societal challenges. We are also seeing greater consistency – Bristol Dinosaur Project others’ views and ideas as they develop research – Student volunteers Public views, thoughts and ideas are an important component of this mix, from funders in their approach to public strategies and collaborating with an ever increasing with the distinction between ‘expert’ and ‘lay’ becoming increasingly blurred engagement, as exemplified by the 6-7 Engaged learning number and type of organisations and people. as members of the public advise on research strategy, come up with new Funders’ Concordat published in 20101. – Dental care in a community setting lines of enquiry and in some cases work alongside the researcher all the The drivers for these changes are varied. Internally, there is continued Then there is the rise of the impact agenda, – Bristol Innocence Project way through to publication and other outputs. explicit support for public engagement, from commitment from the senior with public engagement acknowledged by all – Learning in the community team through to practical support offered by my Centre. Externally, there is This way of doing research is not only a necessity but is also really exciting, as one route to impact. This is undoubtedly – Botanic Garden no doubt that moves by the funders around impact, and inclusion of public with many of our younger researchers crafting paths that cross disciplines in general positive, but with the potential – UBU volunteering engagement within it, have had a large effect; asking researchers on their and sectors and open up opportunities to work with the widest variety pitfalls that academics could see only certain Policy application forms for research grants to describe how their work may of people possible. It is a pleasure, as Chair of our Engaged University types of engagement as legitimate and 8-9 achieve impact prompts them to think through options, and also specific Steering Group, to work with Kathy and Maggie to facilitate and promote potentially that for some motivation might – Public awareness raising funding streams that are only open to collaborative ventures stimulate this activity and enable our staff and students to engage in productive change, from engagement being an activity – University Research Institutes people to think about new partnerships and new ways of working. dialogue with all those who are interested in our research. that researchers see as morally right to – Impacts of public discussion on Inclusion of impact in the Research Excellence Framework, whilst a something that is part of a tick-box exercise. multiculturalism research controversial move in the eyes of some of the academic community, These developments have meant that the 10-11 Media has also reinforced the importance of this area of work. The Beacons Nick Lieven grey literature and blogosphere have been rife for Public Engagement initiative has raised the profile of engagement at with comments, and it is certainly possible – The Royal Institution a national level, and we have benefited greatly from our relationship with I couldn’t have taken over as Pro Vice-Chancellor for to misinterpret some of the messages from Christmas Lectures the National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE) in Education at a livelier time. policy makers. The overall message to me – Stem cell technology comparing ideas and sharing best practice with other universities. – Directory of experts The focus on students – how we recruit them, their experience with us seems clear – public engagement has never – Learning from the public The next few years are likely to be just as interesting as the last. With and where they go on to is acute and challenging. That focus is extremely been more important. Over the next few – Using virtual reality to bring the change in the way universities are funded comes a whole raft of valuable and reinforces their position right where they should be: at the years we will be grappling with embedding Pompeii to life changes around teaching and learning and the student experience. I front of everyone’s minds. Public engagement plays an extremely valuable some of the changes and making the most of think this opens up opportunities to think about the value of engagement part of academic life and increasingly will for our students. They are already important developments like the Concordat. 12-13 Partnerships for students, both for them in terms of enriching learning and increasing engaged with so much work around the city, from volunteering to project We will also be working with the National – The Bristol Natural History employability and also for the way in which we work with the community, work that is intrinsic to their degrees, that the task we have is more about Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement Consortium as students will always be the most visible and accessible part of the opening up and expanding these opportunities rather than setting up to embed the learning from the Beacons for – University festivals University. Those changes, coupled with academics’ increasing interest in anything new. Public engagement at this University is well established, and Public Engagement initiative. – National Coordinating Centre for Top: Maggie Leggett, Head of the Centre for Public Engagement all forms of engagement, makes for an interesting time. Life is not without my work will be to ensure students are at the heart of our engagement 1 Concordat for Engaging the Public with Research (2010) Middle: Guy Orpen, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Public Engagement Funders of Research in the UK. Available at: challenges, most noticeably the economic environment, but on the whole activity and that we continue to build upon and strengthen our relationship Research and Enterprise www.rcuk.ac.uk/per/Pages/Concordat.aspx – Partnerships led by academic groups it is a wonderful time to be in this position at Bristol. with the city and region. Bottom: Nick Lieven, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education 2 Public Engagement at the 3 Co-generated research Involving the public in the development of research has been shown to improve the quality and impact of the work, and is now a requirement of some funders and funding The University streams. A selection of examples of co-generated research of Local Knowledge projects which have bridged the gap between researcher “ULK is a project that aims to celebrate and share the talents and user are described here. and skills that exist within the Knowle West community. We have created over 900 short films each focusing on a different skill or knowledge that is held within the community. Subjects are diverse, and include ‘breaking in a horse’, ‘spotting a fresh fish’ and ‘dealing with post-natal depression’.” Penny Evans Creative Director for ULK and Deputy Director of Knowle West Media Centre

ULK is a multi-partner project, commissioned approximately £300K to enable the platform and produced by Knowle West Media to be developed. Centre, with partners including international UHBristol Academic “Our engagement Alongside that work, Penny, Angela and artist Suzanne Lacy, (curatorial Rheumatology Unit Maggie Leggett from the Centre for Public with patients continues advisors), the BBC (film digitisation), Bristol Engagement set up ‘seminars’, where Patient, carer and public engagement is City Council, Public Art (co-funders) and the to evolve, and we community members could meet with at the centre of the UHBristol Academic University of Bristol. ALSPAC academics who had common interests, on Rheumatology Unit’s mission and activities. are striving to ensure The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents “ULK aims to challenge perceptions of how subjects including horse welfare, education They have delivered on and increased their and Children (ALSPAC), also known as the that our partnerships knowledge is gained, organised and valued” and exclusion, classic cars and grandmothers commitment to co-generated research over a Children of the 90s, enrolled more than describes Penny. “With the initial structure who are guardians for their grandchildren. sustained period of more than 10 years such are as effective 14,500 pregnant women over the course of being loosely based on a university, a web These meetings were fascinating. Each group that it is now fully embedded into working 1991 and 1992. and advantageous platform is being developed to allow the user met twice. The first meetings collaboratively practice to the great benefit of the Unit, and to access, add to and rearrange the films in designed an agenda for the seminars, The health and development of their children clinical and research outcomes. as possible.” knowledge constructs that suit them. Using the which were filmed and took place in various has been studied ever since and, together with Professor John Kirwan is based in the Patients and carers have been involved as: web in this way pushes the boundaries of public locations around the Knowle West estate. Not data collected from the mothers and fathers, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation • advisors on all research projects as members engagement enabling a fully co-generated surprisingly, it took some time in each of the has created a vast amount of information Trust Academic Rheumatology Unit at the of steering committees or as grant holders Working regionally and sustainable database which is community initial meetings to find common ground, but all from which scientists around the world can Bristol Royal Infirmary • co-authors of research publications owned and managed.” the academics who participated commented learn about health and other issues affecting In order to enable quick translation of research • mentors to clinical PhD students on what a privilege it was to hear the stories families. ALSPAC involve their participants in from bench to bedside the University is working When the project was first presented to Bristol • advisors to new researchers helping them to and experiences of the residents. Two of the the design and development of the research. in partnership with local organisations including University at an Engaged University forum gain the most from working with the public seminars have led to follow up work. They have a young person’s advisory panel, Bristol’s four NHS Trusts, the two universities it was clear there were areas of overlap of • representatives of the Unit speaking at made up of cohort participants, which both and Bristol City Council to form the Bristol interest. Academics from three faculties quickly This is one of the most fascinating public international and national conferences. help with strategies for retaining people with Health Partnership. As part of that, People became involved. Dr Mike Fraser (Department engagement projects we have been involved the study and suggest new research ideas. The Unit is recognised internationally as at and Research SW is an initiative that supports of Computer Science), Dr Angela Piccini with, covering areas including what constitutes Proving effective as providing a means of the forefront of involving patients in research researchers involving the public in health (Department of Drama: Theatre, Film and knowledge and managing very complex power two-way communication is the Children of and has been a significant player in drawing and social care research. The collaboration Television) and Professor Rosamund Sutherland relationships. These kinds of partnerships take the 90s Facebook page. Amongst the benefits in patient research partners to OMERACT offers regular training and events to bring (Graduate School of Education) began to a long time to develop and mature. Our work for the ALSPAC team is the speed they can (outcome measures in rheumatology) which sets together members of the public, clinicians and discuss with Penny Evans how a web platform with Knowle West has given us lots of insights turn around research issues – for instance internationally agreed research outcomes for researchers to share best practice, experiences could be developed to support the initiative. that we can apply to partnerships with other using a Facebook poll to query the wording arthritis and strongly influences regulatory bodies and expertise in a variety of health-related Those discussions led to a successful bid to communities, which will lead to many more of a new questionnaire. such as the US Food and Drug Administration. research areas. EPSRC’s ‘Research in the Wild’ scheme for exciting projects in the future. 4 Public Engagement at the University of Bristol 5 Graduate School of Education Bristol Working Naturally, a large part of our interactions with schools is through the Graduate School of Education (GSoE). Through the Postgraduate Dinosaur Certificate in Education (PGCE) programme, GSoE, in partnership with over 65 schools in the region, trains over 200 teachers each year, many Project with schools of whom go on to teach and lead in local schools. The Bristol Dinosaur Project, funded by the Additionally, the partnership enables University can work, and our seminar series now regularly Heritage Lottery Fund has reached over tutors to contribute to the continuing attracts a wide range of stakeholders all The University touches schools in many ways. We recruit 12,500 children, as well as involving 40 professional development of teachers and to interested in one thing: improving the chances students as volunteer helpers. Ed Drewitt, students from them, do research with them, act as run tailored sessions for targeted pupils from for young people in our city.” the Bristol Dinosaur Learning Officer and his local schools. For many years, local teachers governors and do many outreach activities with them. Professor Keri Facer joined the Graduate School team of volunteers have taken their outreach have also studied on the GSoE Masters of Education in 2012. With a varied background activities to over 135 schools as well as Our relationship with local schools strongly influences our programmes to develop their knowledge and in academia, independent research organisations running stands at festivals and open days. expertise in a range of educational areas. relationship with the city and region. Over the past years and creative digital media she is keen to broaden “The Bristol Dinosaur is a gift in terms of Working with Bristol City Council, the GSoE has and develop the way we work with schools. She we have been looking at the way we work with schools, inspiring school children,” says Ed. “You need developed a seminar series that brought together commented: “I’m looking forward to working with to make sure that they get a good learning particularly but not exclusively in the local area, to see if stakeholders from across the city to look for ways and learning from the very wide range of formal experience and bring something unique to the of improving the outcomes for young people. and informal learning settings and institutions we can improve the way we work together. classroom, something that the teachers can’t Professor Rosamund Sutherland commented: in Bristol. I hope we can work together to build offer. That’s where the actual dinosaur bones “We can’t expect to improve standards by new learning partnerships that can tackle the big come in very handy!” doing research on schools. We must do it with issues of social justice, environmental change them, and involve all the other stakeholders in and economic resilience that face us as a city.” the discussions as well. Merchants’ Academy is an excellent example of how true partnership “I never knew science was “The Bristol Dinosaur has its own history since such fun. I used its discovery in 1834. So to think science Right: beyond discussions about Professor Rosamund evolution I can talk to the was boring but Sutherland public about the modern Working with Bristol ChemLabS since Bristol Merchants’ Academy history of the Bristol Bristol ChemLabS is the University’s biggest Dinosaur and interweave The University is a partner in Merchants’ schools outreach project, and includes a ChemLabS came Student volunteers Academy, a school in a deprived area of South programme of talks and workshops that are stories about the social Student volunteers work in 20 schools across Bristol. Over the last few years standards have taken out to over 200 primary and secondary to our school I’ve the city, supporting reading and writing and history of Bristol, the increased dramatically, and we were delighted schools each year aided by postgraduate mathematics and working with others to that in 2011 the Academy achieved a highly chemists. The workshops include a range wanted to learn Bristol riots, grave provide after-school activities. complimentary report and rating of ‘Good’ from of activities that draw school children to the robbing anatomists and University and various online resources. more science.” Ofsted. Three members of the University are on All of this work is student led and student organised. even World War II.” the Academy’s governing body, and we work Outreach director Tim Harrison, an ex teacher, Year 6 pupil Rachel Miller, Community Engagement Officer in the with the Academy in a number of ways including commented “Some schools do not have the Students’ Union said “Our students do an amazing Remmert Schouten Fossil Preparator curriculum development, offering work placement facilities or knowledge to do the kind of science amount of volunteering – over 100,000 hours per opportunities and after-school activities in that we can involve pupils in. ChemLabS has year. We have many projects in schools including, different subjects. The Principal, Ms Anne Burrell, been to some far flung corners of the world, for example, Bristol Student Action for Refugees, commented “The partnership with the University including South Africa and Namibia. We have part of the STAR National network, where students works extremely well, and helps to raise the the potential to grow and grow, and excite ever volunteer on a range of activities such as mentoring aspirations and ambitions of the young people more people with the wonders of Chemistry.” refugee secondary school pupils. Working with we educate. We are always looking for ways of schools is one of the most popular activities, as Left: a partially prepared extending the benefits of the partnership and are students can see the immediate benefit of what out Thecodontosaurus

very grateful to the University for its support.” they do and can gain valuable experience.” upper arm bone. simonpowell.net © 6 Public Engagement at the University of Bristol 7 Learning in the community Engaged With initial funding from the National HE STEM Programme, the University has begun offering community-based projects for undergraduates in civil engineering. Student interns were recruited in the summer of 2011 to help find community partners for research and design projects.

Projects were taken up by a total of 17 third and learning “Bristol is a city bubbling with diverse, fourth year students with topics ranging from motivated and knowledgeable people and flood risk management at Temple Gateway Students at the University of Bristol have a long community groups working on hundreds of

to understanding the nature and sources of © Nicholas Wray solutions to social issues” says Max Wakefield. contamination in the Floating Harbour. The history of civic engagement carrying out over 100,000 “When I ran for election as Vice-President: process of creating and sustaining these Community at the Students’ Union, one hours of voluntary work annually. Increasingly, we are placements is being evaluated as a model which Botanic Garden of my manifesto pledges was to ‘create a can be rolled out across the University. The Botanic Garden is a focus for public looking at ways of incorporating this voluntary work student-community research network, linking engagement within the University as it runs a Similar opportunities also exist for students on students’ research interests with community into their degree programmes, recognising the range variety of activities for, and with, the general the part-time degree in English Literature and needs’. I pledged this because, for me, this public, attracting 7,000 visitors annually and of skills that can be gained and the potential benefits Community Engagement. As part of the course, represents the greatest new opportunity the 2,500 people on the tours and courses. students set up a community project related to University of Bristol has to contribute to the to students and the community alike. Importantly, the diversity of activities gives their studies. “Some students organise a reading well-being of the city and the development of University of Bristol students unprecedented group,” says course director Tom Sperlinger, its students. Cross-institutional commitment opportunities to participate in public engagement, “and these can run in a whole variety of settings: to community-based learning and community to capitalise on existing expertise and training pubs, cafés, online, in a library, or with an research partnerships would unlock an elite Dental care in a Bristol schemes, and to become part of a truly ‘engaged organisation like a drug rehabilitation centre. university for the benefit of vital community University’. The Botanic Garden provides an community setting Other students get involved in helping children groups and a whole world of learning, Innocence excellent example of making connections across read at a local school or utilise what they are experience and opportunity still shuttered away Dr Louise Nash of the School of Oral and a wide cross-section of the local community. Dental Sciences is heading up an initiative Project learning at work. Our hope is that each project from so many Bristol students. to take primary dental care services to the contributes to the student’s understanding of On offer to both undergraduate and residents of South Bristol. Part of the new literature – but also that it extends the English postgraduate law students is the UBU Volunteering South Bristol Community Hospital in the Department community outwards, well beyond opportunity to work on the highly Hengrove Park redevelopment project, the building where seminars take place.” Organised by the Students’ Union, UBU successful University of Bristol Dr Nash leads an expert clinical team of staff Volunteering enables hundreds of students Innocence Project (UoBIP). and final-year students offering dentistry with every year to engage with the local the latest facilities to the local community. Working within the Innocence Network community, supporting marginalised groups UK, UoBIP sees students investigating and working with local charities. “Basing our community-based teaching cases of long-term prisoners maintaining programmes in the new community hospital Students work with older people, adults and factual innocence. The driving force behind is crucial as it places dentistry at the heart of children with learning disabilities, people both initiatives is Dr Michael Naughton of primary healthcare,” said Louise. “The South overcoming mental ill-health and young carers. the University of Bristol Law School “The Bristol Community Hospital aims to make a Additionally UBU Volunteering works closely feedback from students is that they greatly significant contribution to improving the general for a future in general practice. “It’s a great with homelessness and housing support value the opportunity to work on real case health of local people and it’s essential that oral opportunity for students to understand what organisations; both in awareness raising studies. They take part in activities including healthcare is part of this ambition.” general dental practice will be like once they and practical support through painting and visiting prisoners and their families, applying have finished their studies,” said Louise. “They decorating, working in local homeless shelters their academic skills and knowledge, and “Working with the Centre for Public Engagement I “We’re going to find will work as part of a dedicated dental team and fundraising activities. collaborating with practising lawyers, forensic focusing on individual patients’ needs. As well have been able to help drive forward discussions, scientists and other experts.” A directory is sent out termly to local schools out whether public as improving their skills in general practice, this research, pilot projects and a broad stakeholder forum so they are aware and regularly reminded of programme helps them to learn essential patient This student engagement, together with perceptions of dentists aimed at putting community-based learning firmly the array of skills and services our students can communication skills and how to work with other pro bono work offered by University staff, and oral health improve on the agenda at Bristol. I hope that over the next offer. This has resulted in greater participation in dental care professionals in their teams.” contributes a conservative estimate of volunteering through non-traditional volunteering 100,000 hours of work across the Innocence few years the University of Bristol will continue to set as a result of this new “We’re going to find out whether public routes. Societies including Spotlights Drama Network UK per annum. As a result of this outreach model.” perceptions of dentists and oral health improve new precedents for the sector, create an institutional Society, Feminist Society, Biology Society and effort there has been improved access to as a result of this new outreach model,” culture that embraces community-based learning and Engineers without Borders are among the many justice in an area where public funding is The 2008 expansion of the University’s dental continued Louise. This initiative shows how groups which visit schools, raise aspirations, notoriously limited and several cases have begins to reinterpret just what exactly a university is in school saw an increased focus on community- the latest academic knowledge can be applied enable many school pupils to find out about life progressed to the Criminal Cases Review based teaching. This involves engaging students through providing a much-needed service to relation to its neighbours.” at university and engage with traditional school Commission and the Court of Appeal. in primary care dentistry which prepares them local people. Max Wakefield Vice-President: Community, University of Bristol Students’ Union 2011-12 subjects in a refreshing and appealing way. 8 Public Engagement at the University of Bristol 9 University Policy Research Working with policy makers is an incredibly important Institutes route to impact for many academics, and we have The University is creating University Research many examples of effective policy engagement across Institutes, to galvanise cross-disciplinary working and to provide a means of interface with the the University from serving on relevant advisory boards outside world in critical areas. The first of these and committees to conducting research specifically was the Cabot Institute, which tackles the challenges of living with environmental change. aimed at informing policy. In this section, we have Policy and public engagement is a key part of concentrated on examples where policy and public the Institute’s work. “This is a really exciting time for universities” said Cabot Institute Director engagement are inextricably linked. Professor Paul Bates. “With the Institutes, we are bringing academics from across the University – from social scientists and economists to engineers and biologists – to tackle society’s biggest issues.”

Public awareness raising “The way we interface with Working with policy makers can be a route organisations and people to public engagement, as is the case with Christine Barter’s work, in the School for external to the University is key Policy Studies. Her pioneering research, which involved a large scale survey and to our success, be that through Impacts of public discussion in-depth interviews with 13-17 year olds on multiculturalism research showed that roughly 25% of girls and 18% of collaborative research and teaching boys reported physical partner violence, and Engaging with policy is often viewed as a nearly three-quarters of girls and half of boys and policy and public engagement.” form of public engagement, and frequently reported controlling behaviours. works alongside public engagement; public Professor Paul Bates Cabot Institute Director discussion can inform research and policy Christine was invited to give evidence to the development and many researchers also see Government’s review on the Sexualisation of a role for themselves in raising the level Girls and Women, and in the subsequent report of debate around political issues. there was a section specifically on teenage Research Institute for Health partner violence. The Labour government Public and policy engagement is also central to the University Research Institute (URI) for “For me, achieving impact from research is not directly responded to Christine’s research by Health. “I’m really excited about the way we can involve the public in the design and strategy a linear process,” comments Professor Tariq commissioning in 2010 the first ever £1.8 million of our research,” said Director, Professor Jeremy Tavaré. “Ensuring that we include the Modood, from the School of Sociology, Politics public awareness media campaign on the issue public in our research innovation right from the bench through to the bedside and into our and International Studies. “Often, I will put ideas of teenage partner violence. The campaign Left Christine Barter Right This is Abuse campaign poster community is truly important.” into the public domain and the discussion and included a commissioned short film on teenage debate that follows feeds back into the research, Finding these innovations is increasingly the newly formed Bristol Health Partnership, relationship abuse which ran on all major which may then develop into an academic paper becoming a collaborative activity, requiring which brings together Bristol’s four NHS Trusts, terrestrial and cable TV channels and in cinemas. and an effect on policy. The public discussion, “Obviously, this level of public awareness raising is well that bioscientists and clinicians work with non Bristol City Council and the two universities. Advertisements were also placed in a range of as well as feeding into the research, can also beyond the scope of an individual academic, but it has been health-related researchers such as engineers, This partnership will help ensure our research teenage magazines. Christine acted as the main help with the policy impact. So for me public mathematicians, physicists and economists. is exploited to enhance the way patients are expert consultant on the campaign and advised incredibly satisfying seeing the research catalyse actions engagement is part of the process, not something A major role of the URI for Health will be to treated and NHS services are delivered, and so on all aspects. A website – This is ABUSE – was that happens at the end.” Professor Modood which will hopefully bring about change for young people. provide a conduit by which people in disparate improve the health of local people. Professor launched and associated information packs is one of the world-leading authorities on It is really shocking that so many are living with violent disciplines can speak a common language and Tavaré concludes, “There is fantastic health sent to UK schools. David Cameron’s coalition multiculturalism, and his research was one of the work together, while bringing in complementary research going on at this University with world- government repeated the campaign (£1.5 million) relationships, and raising awareness of the issue should key sources that led to religious discrimination expertise from anywhere else in the world where leading expertise in many areas, but we are in 2011. In addition, a 30 minute film exploring enable some young people to take steps to change their being outlawed (initially in employment (2003), this is required. “We can learn a lot from the not complacent. Public engagement will be the issues called ‘Crush’ was commissioned and extended in 2007 and scaled up to match situation. I consider the interaction with policy makers, and all patients, public and local businesses about how core to our philosophy and feeding the public’s this film has been shown in all Scottish schools. all other equality strands in the Equalities Act to approach these challenges” Jeremy says. ideas directly into this range of activity will be Christine has acted as an expert consultant on the media work I have done, to be part of my responsibility to of 2010), and the creation of the offence of The URI for Health will also work closely with challenging but highly rewarding for everyone.” all of this work. She commented: see that the research has impact.” incitement to religious hatred (2006). 10 Public Engagement at the University of Bristol 11

Social media Learning from the public Professor Nello Cristianini has been Media and digital developing automated methods to analyse the content of newspapers and social Engaging through the media, particularly through television, media, by using various artificial intelligence allows researchers to reach vast audiences. Combining technology techniques, for many years. “Twitter content can be used to gauge the traditional media with new media can open up opportunities state of society in many respects, including its Tweeters and bloggers for interactions to be two-way. Researchers also use overall mood, or the presence of a flu epidemic. different types of media in their research and teaching. With the arrival of social media, We have been able to observe a deterioration Using virtual researchers have a much broader set of of overall mood during the past few years. options than previously to disseminate Newspaper content, on the other hand, can be reality to bring their work and encourage two-way analysed in many ways, for example to discover communication. Bristol academics have what stories people like to read. I am involved Pompeii to life in public engagement about the impact of new been quick to adapt with a large number of A different slant on using digital technology for media on privacy, as well as on their potential regular ‘tweeters’ and ‘bloggers’. One glance public engagement and as a teaching tool is to shape public opinion. My work puts me at the number of responses to any post on demonstrated by the work of Dr Shelley Hales in touch with social scientists, psychologists Dr Tamsin Edwards’ (School of Geographical and colleague Dr Nic Earle. Using Second Life, and philosophers, as well as scientists. The Sciences) blog is a indicator of how effective an online virtual world using three-dimensional contact with the general public is particularly this media can be at enabling researchers to modelling, they recreated a Pompeian house important for me, as ultimately the challenges connect and interact with a wide and varied which was drawn from a replica built inside the Researchers in the media posed to society by modern technology will audience. In the first four months of the blog’s Crystal Palace to entertain the Victorians from 1854 not be solved by technology but by education creation in 2012 there were nearly 11,000 until the Palace’s destruction in 1936. Speaking and awareness, much like what happened for unique visitors and 900 comments. of the project Dr Hales commented “The original environmental challenges.” See Tamsin’s blog ‘All models are wrong... but some are model of the Court created by the Victorians useful’ – allmodelsarewrong.com was a wonderful example of 19th century public engagement and now with the new technologies “I am overwhelmed by the available to us we can extend their work into the fantastic response to my 21st century using virtual reality – this has been blog. It just shows how much tremendously exciting for us as researchers.” of an appetite the public has for direct conversations “People use the internet with scientists, especially and networked media in in politically sensitive areas so many different ways. Meet Your Brain Stem cell technology such as climate change. I get so much from it: Media are now pervasive, In 2011 the Royal Institution Christmas Professor Anthony Hollander, Head of the ubiquitous and convergent. Lectures were presented by Professor Bruce School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, practise at explaining Hood from the School of Experimental was brought to international attention when in my research to a general We expertly and often Psychology. The three-part series was viewed 2008 he was part of the team who developed Directory of experts audience, wider awareness unthinkingly shape the world by four million people and included a range the first tissue-engineered trachea (windpipe) of lively demonstrations in the areas using a patient’s own stem cells. The University offers a searchable database, of my work among by shifting our attentions and of cognitive neuroscience and psychology. the Directory of Experts, for journalists colleagues, better critical Already an experienced science communicator, habits from mobile phones to seeking academics with specialist “I expected that children who came along to the Anthony found himself discussing the potential thinking, and a broader knowledge. This open resource means that computer to TV to advertising Christmas Lectures would be excited about the of stem cells in medicine with members of the Bristol academics are easily accessible and knowledge base from finding cameras and the action, but I did not appreciate public, policy makers and the media. Professor space to large urban screens. when a rapid response to world events is answers to their questions. that children watching at home would be so Hollander sees public engagement as integral to needed then representatives from Bristol are I’m interested in how these technologies transform inspired. Their parents came telling me about the his work “As scientists we can become divorced I am lucky because the on hand e.g. Professor Steve Sparks on the effects of the series on their children’s scientific from what members of the public think about teaching and learning and how we involve different Eyjafjallajökull volcano eruption of 2010; and University of Bristol, my curiosity,” Bruce explained. Mindful to continue our work. Talking with different people gives me Professor Colin Taylor on designing buildings research group and my communities in this process, from the ground-up.” this work, Professor Hood and his team are the opportunity not only to explain what I do and to withstand earthquakes after the Japanese developing an outreach programme based on the why but also to listen to their views and ideas, funders are very supportive Dr Angela Piccini is working with Dr Mike Fraser from the Department of tsunami of 2011. Over 1,000 academics are lectures for delivery to children aged 5 to 17 years which can both suggest new research ideas and of this engagement.” Computer Science and with Knowle West Media Centre on the University now on the database. via the network of Science and Discovery Centres. also allow you to see your work in context.” of Local Knowledge project described on page 3 12 Public Engagement at the University of Bristol 13

Partnerships

Partnership working is central to public engagement and many of the examples in Right: this booklet demonstrate exemplary partnership Paul Manners, Director of activity. These pages are devoted to more the NCCPE Left: The NCCPE’s formal partnerships we are involved with. Engage conference is now the most well regarded public engagement National Coordinating Centre conference in the UK for Public Engagement With the University of the West of England, the University of Bristol secured a bid from the Beacons initiative in 2008 to set up the National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement University festivals (NCCPE). The primary aim of the NCCPE The Arts and Social Sciences and Law faculties ‘Past Matters: Reading, Writing and Making was to share best practice and learning from both have biennial festivals, to showcase History’. Working with the Centre for Public the six Beacons for Public Engagement, and research and invite the public to experience Engagement, they were able to involve different to help to galvanise change across the HE The Bristol and share their research. Thanks to a generous groups early in their planning to ensure a range sector. The NCCPE has been invaluable in donation from an alumnus, the Department of of audiences were able to take part. that and so many other ways, and has recently History has also set up an annual festival, been awarded a further two years’ funding Natural to consolidate its impact. Its website is a “In the age of the internet and social networking, our attention reliable and deep source of information on History can seem relentlessly focused on the here and now. But practically any aspect of public engagement, from training and evaluation to getting started history matters as much as ever, nowhere more so than and inspiring case studies. Perhaps the most Consortium in a city such as Bristol, shaped by centuries of trade and important aspect of the NCCPE’s work is in the policy arena. The NCCPE worked closely BNHC began in 2003, when six organisations migration. We are delighted to be working with innovative with Research Councils UK and all the key in Bristol joined forces on flagship venues in the heart of the city to host a series of events that research funders to develop the Concordat for environmental communication projects. It has Engaging the Public with Research and has grown and there are now twelve members, explore how history is read, written and made. Working with encouraged over 50 universities to sign up to including the two universities in Bristol, the the Centre for Public Engagement we have involved various its Manifesto for Public Engagement, which is BBC Natural History Unit, Bristol City Council, community groups in our planning, and that helps ensure that helping to catalyse deep and lasting change in Defra, the Environment Agency, the National many universities. Trust and Gardens. as wide an audience as possible are able to take part.” Professor Robert Bickers Department of Historical Studies Maggie Leggett from Bristol’s Centre for Public Together, we run the award winning Bristol Engagement worked with the NCCPE to advise Festival of Nature, which attracts over 13,000 the REF (Research Excellence Framework) team people annually to a festival about the Partnerships led by academic groups about how best to include public engagement natural world at the harbourside in Bristol; in the REF, and in this and many other areas the Communicate, an international conference for Increasingly, public engagement is a The science centre At-Bristol was also part partnership has worked really well. environmental communicators and BioBlitz, a central part of collaborative endeavours of the network, and through this partnership national programme of activity that gets people led by academics. University Research we were able to trial experiential training for involved with their local biodiversity. Institutes have public engagement as early career scientists, discussion events and a strong thread within them, and large the use of innovative techniques to support In 2011 the Festival of Nature won the Bristol collaborative bids almost always have dialogue around contentious issues. We Tourism and Hospitality Awards ‘Bristol’s Best a public engagement element. have a dynamic relationship with At-Bristol, Left: The NCCPE invites Tourism Event’. The same year it also won universities to sign up to the spearheaded through Kathy Sykes’ a bronze award in the South West Tourism An early example of this is the Synthetic manifesto. This helps demonstrate presence on their board, and partner with a university’s commitment to Excellence Awards Event of the Year. Evaluation Components Network. Public engagement them on many activities including ‘Meet public engagement, and also can in 2011 showed that the University of Bristol’s was a necessary and costed part of the bid be used as a self assessment the Expert’ sessions, activities for Brain contribution to the Festival was voted by for leadership of this network, which included tool. Bristol was one of the first Awareness Week and discussion events. universities to sign up. attendees as second only to the BBC’s. Above: BioBlitz 2011 academics from institutions across the UK. If you need all or part of this publication in an accessible format (eg in Braille, in large print or on CD), please contact the Centre for Public Engagement, tel: +44 (0)117 33 18313 or email: [email protected]

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