Engage Academy

Applications for 2021-22 cohort now open

Application form

Are you working to foster a culture of engagement in a Higher Education Institution, charity or public sector organisation? Whether you call yourself a public engagement professional or wear a different title, the Engage Academy is for you.  

This year we will be focusing on the role of being a ‘change maker’ within organisations and the skills, knowledge and networks that will enable participants to advocate and implement the change they want to see.

Applications are open for those whose role primarily involves supporting researchers to engage. The Academy is designed for people at every stage of their engagement career, from those new to the sector through to those with many years of experience.

During the 9 month programme we support participants to: 

• Interrogate the high quality public engagement principles including Purpose/Process/People/Evaluation 
• Develop a strategic approach to embedding engagement at their organisation 
• Explore their role as a ‘change maker’  
• Develop a strong and supportive network

The programme, curated by NCCPE, provides innovative and inspiring insights from expert sector leaders. 

N.B. The Engage Academy 2021/22 will take place online. 

“The Academy provides the space for you to try and transform your institution and embed public engagement across it. If you want to get your brain ticking over and stimulate a hotbed of ideas, connect with interesting people and be part of an ongoing community of practice, then I would recommend the Academy” 2019/20 Academician

“I was initially worried about it going online and missing that important social interaction, but this has been mitigated by a nice vibe, good online sessions, and a range of interactive, online tools that gave the Academy dynamism…There is a real time benefit of it being online, as we’re all so busy with other work”. 2019/20 Academician

Programme structure 

The Engage Academy provides a stimulating environment, encouraging thoughtful engagement with content; informal networking to recreate those 'coffee queue' moments, and opportunities to access content at times convenient to you. The programme components include: 

• Interactive online workshops  
• Webinars which can be accessed as part of a watch party, or in your own time, including opportunities to meet the webinar contributors to explore further  
• Facilitated networking social events  
• Peer learning groups faciliated by a champion and supported by an experienced mentor
• An online learning space to share ideas 

The Engage Academy requires approximately 6 days commitment during the 9 month programme.

“Really nice people who were stimulating, interesting and interested – I can’t really shut up about them! The learning group meetings are a respite from daily lives and provided me with some head space. We provide an important connection for each other”. 2019/20 Academician

Cost  

The Engage Academy price is £600 

Bursaries   

We also have a limited number of bursaries available (25% or 50% discount), for those who would find the costs of attending prohibitive otherwise. We may also be able to offer an instalment option for payment. If you would like to be considered for any of these options (only one option is available per application), please make a case for this on booking. 

Application 

If you think the Academy is for you, please follow the below link to complete the application form. 

Apply

N.B. Please note that places on the Academy are by application, therefore spaces cannot be guaranteed. 

Deadline 

Please submit your application by 17:00 on Monday 28th June 

We will respond by Wednesday 14th July to let you know if you have been successful in gaining a place on the programme.

Event dates 

Please note by applying to the Academy 2021/22, you are confirming your availability for the below dates.

If you are successful in receiving a place on the Engage Academy, there will be pre-workshop tasks to complete before 22nd September.

Contact

If you would like to find out more, please contact: stephanie.todd@uwe.ac.uk