Case Study: University engagement at the Eisteddfod

Project Description

Cardiff University’s School of Engineering and its Division of Communications and International Relations commissioned Techniquest to develop three ‘Hubs’, that is, three consoles each comprising three interactive exhibits, to illustrate current research at Cardiff University. The research demonstrated included that in medical imaging, global warming, materials, archaeology, genetics, physics and psychology.

Purpose

The purpose of the project was through partnership working, to find new audiences for Cardiff University’s research work, and new academic content for Techniquest’s existing audiences. Additionally, to facilitate Cardiff University’s engagement with new audiences (at the National Eisteddfod of Wales and in Techniquest).

Comparing skull volume in three ancient skulls. Andrew Emery

Results/Outcome

What Worked Well:

1. Access to academic content: The strategic relationship between Cardiff University and Techniquest meant that Techniquest had good access to researchers for advice during the initial stages. The opportunity for Techniquest staff to learn about the wider research that was being described by the exhibit they were developing and its application helped in the exhibit design and associated text.
2. Changing academic working practices: The opportunity for researchers to think of their work in a different way for an audience other than their peers, and to work with Techniquest staff to illustrate that research interactively is a valuable skill and should help them in their wider engagement work.
3. Trialling new ways of working: This was a novel way of engaging people of all ages in ongoing research at the university.
4. Experiential training for university staff: Cardiff University staff had the opportunity to work on the exhibition alongside Techniquest staff. As well as receiving training from Techniquest staff, they also saw first hand, at the Eisteddfod, how Techniquest staff engage with visitors. The opportunity for university staff, who may not ordinarily talk to public audiences about their work, to engage with the public in a fun, safe, enabling environment should not be underestimated.
5. Access to a broad audience: It provided the university and Techniquest with 9 new exhibits that have been available to visitors to the Eisteddfod in 2008, 2009 and 2010 (reaching over 43,000 visitors) and on Techniquest’s exhibition floor from 2008 to date (reaching over 400,000 visitors).

What didn't work well

As with all projects of this nature, not all research in the university was featured, partly due to cost and also due to the suitability of translating the research into an interactive exhibit.

Resources Required

Development costs: Staff time (both partners), cost of developing and building exhibits.

Exhibition costs: The Cardiff University Eisteddfod tent was populated by the new Hub exhibits, 20 popular Techniquest exhibits and displays relating to the 125^th anniversary in 2008. Once the Hubs had been developed, those from Cardiff University who were to work in the Cardiff University tent at the Eisteddfod were trained by Techniquest staff in the use of the exhibits. The exhibition was staffed by Techniquest and Cardiff University personnel.

The Cardiff University tent at the Eisteddfod. Photo by Techniquest