{"id":3088,"date":"2016-04-12T15:17:43","date_gmt":"2016-04-12T15:17:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/microsites.bournemouth.ac.uk\/cel\/?p=3088"},"modified":"2016-04-12T15:17:43","modified_gmt":"2016-04-12T15:17:43","slug":"public-engagement-why-it-matters-for-research","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/microsites.bournemouth.ac.uk\/flie\/2016\/04\/12\/public-engagement-why-it-matters-for-research\/","title":{"rendered":"Public Engagement: why it matters for research"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Oculus<\/a><\/p>\n

Our Research and Knowledge Exchange<\/a> team just held a public engagement training session led by Steve Dorney<\/a>. Steve heads up\u00a0the University of Southampton’s Public Engagement with Research Unit<\/a>. In the session Steve his expertise to\u00a0support a mix of BU academics and research students from a whole host of disciplines to know more about public engagement and to find ways to embed engagement\u00a0into research.<\/p>\n

What is public engagement ?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement <\/a>defines it as follows:<\/p>\n

\u201cPublic engagement describes 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.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Research Councils UK <\/a>emphasise\u00a0the importance of building \u201creflexive and responsive research communities\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0where public voices and experiences are listened to and shape<\/strong>\u00a0research strategy.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It can involve the general public, schools, museums, galleries, business, trade or third sector partners, or policymakers.<\/p>\n

Why it matters for your research:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Public engagement is not going away.<\/p>\n

Engaging the public in the development and dissemination of your research is vital for economic and ethical reasons. But it is also fun and can shape your research in unexpected and creative ways.<\/p>\n

Looking forward to\u00a0REF 2020,<\/a> ensuring that your research has a sustained and engaging narrative is a critical to demonstrating the impact of your research.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here are some more benefits of engagement<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Ways to engage:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Talking about your research can be difficult. It can be hard to find the words to share complex ideas and findings with non-specialist audiences.<\/p>\n

Because academic disciplines have such specialised language and ways of working it can be difficult to find a common language<\/strong> when working in multi-disciplinary teams and with external stakeholders.<\/p>\n

Listening to the public and to stakeholders and learning together<\/a>\u00a0can both shape new research and support more accessible and inclusive ways of working. It can help develop your innovative pedagogical practice<\/a>.<\/p>\n

There is no one way to engage. Engagement takes many forms, from talks and one of events to ongoing relationships with the public and stakeholders.<\/p>\n

People have an appetite for knowledge. They are curious about things that happen in universities.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here are some possible ideas for engagement:<\/p>\n