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Biography

Following 6 years working across a range of public engagement roles in the local government, HE and third sectors I am now employed as Widening Participation & Outreach Officer (SW Region) for the National HE STEM Programme. This Programme aims to increase and widen participation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths and enhance the skills and knowledge base of the workforce in these areas.

My role consists chiefly of identifying effective practice in WP and outreach, brokering opportunities to share this practice on a national and regional level. It involves establishing links and creating regional networks for those delivering STEM-related WP and outreach activities as well as working with project officers from the professional bodies to transfer project practice that will be of use to SW HEIs. Finally, the role necessitates developing regional programmes of activity tackling recurrent WP and outreach issues, adding value to existing activity and stimulating new, joined-up projects. 

Describe the public engagement activity you have done

Since graduating from university in 2003 I have undertaken a range of public engagement roles across several sectors. Initially on a graduate management scheme in local government, I managed a sports and youth centre in Pewsey and promoted Wiltshire Council as a workplace amongst Black and Minority Ethnic groups across the county. Both roles necessitated partnership working with a mix of statutory and business bodies.

I then moved to Bath Spa University where I established a student volunteer function. Leaving 2.5 years later, I had established links with over 80 local community organisations across a multitude of projects and in conjunction with other university departments including: Student Support Services, Careers, Widening Participation, academic schools, the Students' Union and the Business Support Unit.

Following a short stint as the Regional Volunteering Manager (Wales & West) for Guide Dogs where I managed the volunteer resource through building both internal and external partnerships, I took up the post of WP & Outreach Officer (SW Region) based at University of Bath. The remit of this role (see above) spans the 13 HEIs in the SW.

What motivated you to engage with the public?

Ever since my days as a student volunteer at university, I have remained an active participant in, and proponent of, public engagement; I still volunteer as both a trustee of a local charity and as volunteer coordinator of the Bath Film Festival. I'm interested by people's motivations for volunteering and the difference that can be made when individuals collaborate on shared agendas.

Professionally, I have always had roles which have necessitated building partnerships to achieve aims. I enjoy identifying shared goals and encouraging collaboration not only as a means to innovate but also, to share expertise and resources. Organisations in the third sector live or die by their ability to successfully engage individuals and businesses in their objectives. HEIs need to build good will amongst local, regional, national and international communities if they are to prove successful but also, have an important role in facilitating knowledge transfer.

I find public engagement an exciting means by which to achieve more in communities and to enhance the skills and abilities of individuals within those communities.