NCCPE Newsletter #2

Things have been very busy over the past few weeks with the launch of our new website. Do take a look and let us know what you think. Content includes engagement case studies, research and learning activities, online resources for engagement, and news and events. If you would like to contribute to our website, please let us know.

We aim to send this newsletter out every couple of months, to keep people up to date and to highlight opportunities to get involved in our work. Do let us know if there is anything you would like to see covered.

Draft Public Engagement Framework

After consulting with lots of different people the NCCPE has launched a draft framework for public engagement. We are hoping that lots of people will contribute to this framework so please take a look and let us know what you think.

Bang Goes the Theory picture of presenter Yan

The NCCPE has joined forces with the BBC's new TV series: Bang Goes the Theory due to launch later this month. Central to this series is a website where members of the public can ask questions about science. Academics from the Beacons for Public Engagement initiative are going to help by providing some of the answers. This section of the site is hosted by BBC presenter, Yan. You can ask questions online now, and the full site is launched next week.

Student Volunteering: New Report

We are pleased to announce the publication of an NCCPE Research Synthesis, exploring the background, policy and context around student volunteering. The Synthesis provides a robust knowledge base to guide the development of the NCCPE Student Volunteering Initiative. This initiative is funded by v. 

Call for Research Syntheses

The NCCPE has partnered with the ESRC to commission a series of research syntheses. We are currently seeking qualified and experienced researchers to synthesise the following topic areas: a) Academic Promotion Criteria for University Third Stream Activity (including public engagement and knowledge exchange), and b) Widening Participation from Under-graduate to Post-graduate Research Degrees. Each synthesis is valued at up to £15 000 and is expected to be undertaken in the Autumn. Find out more.

Systemic Action Research - Updatediscussion group

The NCCPE's systemic action research programme around higher education public engagement and organisational change is moving full steam ahead. The 1st meeting of the academics group is next week in London and we look forward to sharing the first thoughts and initial reflections of this group through future newsletters and other fora.
We are still actively recruiting for a group of heads of departments who have an interest in or responsibility for their department's public engagement activity. We'd love to talk through our plans with you, so if you are interested please contact our Research and Learning Manager, Heather Squires. The first meeting of this group is planned for early autumn

Open House: 25 November 2009

This NCCPE event in Bristol will bring together a host of people to talk about how universities can engage the public. From embedding public engagement into the mission of a university to supporting staff to develop key skills, this event will provide opportunities to discuss some of the challenges and opportunities, and explore practical examples of how some universities are tackling them. Find out more.

Good Practice Workshopsflower lady at festival

This series of workshops brings experts in specific areas of public engagement together to explore needs and strategic opportunities. Further information, training, research or other types of events are likely to emerge from these meetings, and the NCCPE has committed resources to supporting these outputs. If you have a suggestion for a topic for one of these workshops let us know.

NCCPE Good Practice Workshop: Universities and Festivals.
28 July, Bristol. This is the first event in the series, which looks at how universities can engage with the public through festivals. 

Other events

Living Knowledge 2009, 27-29 August, Belfast
Engaged Communities, Engaged Universities: Developing Policy in Participatory Research
Find out more

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