Public engagement with research
Involving the public in the research activity of the institution
This is the primary focus of the Beacons for Public Engagement project. Engaging the public with research can take many forms, and we describe some of the most common below, with links to more information about each.
The Corrosion Summer Ball: early career researchers from the University of Manchester devised four interactiveexperiences related to corrosion science forfamilies as part of theManchester Science Festival. Manchester Beacon
Communicating research activity and outcomes
Goal: to find effective ways of informing the public about your research, and to increase its accessibility. This can involve a range of methods to inspire and involve different audiences.
Find out more
- Delivering engaging presentations
- Podcasting
- Writing for non specialist audiences
- Bright Club case study
Listening to public views and concerns
Goal: to make sure that you get better informed about the public’s views and concerns about your research, and more sensitive to the social and ethical issues that relate to it. It’s also an opportunity to hear fresh perspectives and insights which can fundamentally challenge and help to develop your own thinking and lines of enquiry.
Find out more
- Panels and user groups
- Online consultation
- Deliberation and upstream engagement
- Social engagement in London case study
Involving the public as researchers
Goal: To encourage public participation in your research by involving people as researchers for your project.
It is possible to design research projects in a way that generates meaningful roles for the public. There are many examples – for instance a project like ‘Galaxy Zoo’, where over 250,000 members of the public have been involved in categorising galaxies. Working in this way can have real benefits. For example you can
- increase the amount of data that you can capture
- generate interest in and publicity for your work
- provide really rich and involving learning experiences for those members of the public who get involved.
Find out more
- involving the public as researchers
- Understanding environmental knowledge controversies case study
- Obesity ambassadors case study
- Bioblitz case study
Developing collaborative research and co-inquiry projects
Goal: to develop genuine collaboration, where the research questions are developed and explored in partnership with the public.
Find out more
- Brokerage
- Bouncing Back case study
- Centre for Social Justice and Community Action case study
- Co-inquiry projects (coming soon)
What next?
Explore each of these other areas in more depth
