Our Plans and Commitment

Embedding a culture of public engagement into organisations takes time and planning. We have therefore organised our work in three phases:

Phase 1. Listening and Learning

This first, current phase is to find out what is already happening, to gather information and to ask people to share their thoughts, examples and experiences of public engagement for the benefit of others. This is being done through workshops, conferences, events and e-communications and this website. We want to actively encourage everyone with an interest in public engagement to get involved in this work. 

Phase 2. Research and Development

We are actively commissioning research and will be launching a fund to support pilot projects that can help in our learning. Details of the fund will be included in our e-newsletter, so please sign up for it.

Phase 3: Dissemination and Advocacy

The final phase covers putting together resources and support for universities to help them to embrace public engagement and to encourage funders and others to support this work.

Our commitment

By the end of the fourth year of the initiative, we will have:

1. Created and developed our website, providing links to support and resources
   This will build into a hub where anyone interested in public engagement can access information and contribute to the discussions and debate surrounding public engagement.
2. Developed a Code of Practice and framework for HEIs
   The final framework will be delivered following wide consultation across the sector. It will include a Code of Practice which HEIs can sign up to become part of the ‘engaged university’ network. Anyone interested in public engagement can contribute to the framework, and we welcome your views. The draft framework on this site is designed as a starting point for discussion and development. You can view and comment on the draft framework here.
3. Brought people together through our events programme
   We will host a major national conference in 2011. We will also link to other networks and events, and create our own extensive events programme to bring people together to share their expertise and passion for engagement. Sign up to our e-newsletter to keep up to date with our events programme or find out more here.
4. Developed toolkits
   We are developing two toolkits for the sector, one which practitioners (academics, other staff and students) will find useful and one for senior managers to help effect change in their own institutions. Each toolkit will equip people to champion PE at their HEI and make it easy to get involved.
5. Created an Engagers’ Network
   We are developing a network of interested people and will support them to help people problem solve together. We will also support engagement champions to help them inspire their university to get involved in PE and follow good practice.
6. Encouraged student volunteering and engagement
   We are delivering a two-year strategic project to bring about a step change in the quality and quantity of student volunteering across the university sector. This is funded by the youth volunteering charity, ‘v’.