There are a range of types of intervention you can make from one off interactions to long term strategic projects.
In our typology work (Duncan and Manners, forthcoming) we have identified a number of types of activity that are typically involved in public engagement which we have listed in the table below. These categories of activity are broad. When used in different contexts, for different purposes, with different groups, in informal and formal ways, over short and long timescales, and in different combinations, they take a huge number of forms and formats. It is one of the exciting things about working in engagement: there is still room to innovate, captivate and learn.
Lecture / Presentation | Broadcast | Event |
Writing | Encounter | Websites |
Performance | Exhibition | Exhibit |
Workshop | Network | Social media |
Collaboration | Consultation | Formal learning |
Citizen research | Collaborative research | Enquiry service |
These activities, or a combination thereof, can serve the purposes and people in different ways. However some are better suited to certain purposes. Below we highlight case studies that bring this to life. Why not read their full stories by following the links?
Researching Age-friendly Neighbourhoods
Engaging older people in exploring, researching and addressing issues relating to the age friendliness of their neighbourhood. Chosen process: collaborative research.
Exploring Medieval Swansea
Making the medieval history of Swansea come alive for residents and visitors. Chosen process: interactive website.
Our Health, Our Future
This project sought to encourage a dialogue between local school students, their teachers, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre researchers and policy-makers in order to generate ideas about research to improve health in school communities. Chosen activity: consultation workshop.
Fostering Hope
Challenging people’s attitudes to unaccompanied asylum seeking children, this project was a partnership between TACT, the largest fostering and adoption agency in the UK, and University of Bath researchers and involved young people, parents and carers, minority ethnic groups and the public. Chosen processes: collaborative research; workshops, events.
The Lived Experience of Climate Change
Based on a research project exploring the experiences of slum dwellers in Bangladesh, this project sought to share the research with those affected. Chosen method: performance.