NCCPE Newsletter #3
It’s October already and lots has been happening for the NCCPE and the Beacons. Here are a few highlights – but remember to check out our website for news, events and ways to get involved with our work.
Draft Framework for Public Engagement
Have you looked at our draft framework? We are keen to get feedback from lots of people and have launched an e-survey to gather feedback. We hope you find time to register your views.
Open House Event
Plans are developing for this event on 25 November in Bristol. With keynote presentations by Paul Younger (PVC Engagement, Newcastle University, Gerry Kelleher (Deputy VC, Strategic Planning, MMU) and Kathy Sykes (Professor of Sciences and Society at the University of Bristol, case studies from the Beacons and lots of opportunities for discussion, this event will shape the future of Public Engagement.
Find out more and book your place
Public Engagement Ambassadors
The NCCPE has launched a Public Engagement Network for everyone passionate about HEI Public Engagement. Members can also apply to become PE Ambassadors to access funding and resources to help champion public engagement. To celebrate the launch we have partnered the Bristol Natural History Consortium and are offering three bursaries for the Communicate Conference.
vinspired Students
Don’t miss the opportunity to apply for funding to run a pilot project to support the vinspired students project. Funded by v these pilot projects will help develop our understanding about student volunteering and engagement.
Bang Goes the Theory
Academics from the Beacons have been busy answering questions from the public on the BBC Bang Goes the Theory Website. Around 100 questions have been answered over the last few weeks.
Other Events
Communicate 2009: 21/22 October, Bristol.
Communicate is the annual conference for environmental communicators from across the UK and Europe, and has been helping to set the agenda in environmental communication since 2003. It attracts a cross-sector of representatives from environmental and conservation organisations, business and CSR, policy makers, media, and national and local government bodies and natural history filmmakers. In 2009 Communicate delegates will be discussing the theme of “Valuing the Invaluable”. In preparation for International Year of Biodiversity in 2010 we’ll be looking at how we can connect audiences with the natural world, and review the most cutting-edge communication techniques.
REF Consultation
The consultation has now opened for the REF. The documents indicate that Impact and Environment are both important factors – and these include public engagement. The NCCPE will be launching an online discussion to explore what the recommendations could mean for PE – we will send out a newsflash once the pages are launched.
Viewpoint: Tom Shakespeare
Our website will be bringing opinions from lots of different people – exploring the question why should universities engage the public. Tom Shakespeare is part of the team at Beacon North East and he has been involved in the disability movement for more than twenty years. He argues'the current emphasis on engagement is perhaps an overdue recognition that universities cannot, like the ivy on their buildings, take a parasitic role, sucking resources and people from their surroundings without facing up to the responsibilities which both public funding and intellectual independence bring with them'.
