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Public Engagement Professionals (PEP) network

updated on 01 Jul 2026

4 minutes

The PEP Network supports engagement professionals across the UK working in higher education and research to access CPD, peer support and the latest thinking on engagement.

Apply to join the PEP Network!

Why join?

Joining the PEP Network will allow you to:

stay connected to fellow alumni of NCCPE programmes, training and events
foster new connections and collaborations with sector peers
share intelligence about the latest thinking, good practice and policy development related to public engagement
share challenges, find solutions and support each other
participate in and contribute to relevant skills-sharing opportunities and events
apply for bespoke programmes and opportunities, such as the NCCPE Engage Fellowships
shape and inform NCCPE responses to current sector challenges and opportunities

Apply now to join a collective of your peers championing engaged practice across the higher education sector!

Who's it for?

This network is primarily aimed at public engagement professionals (or PEPs) working in professional services roles in higher education institutions (HEIs) or research institutes across the UK. Whether public engagement is formally part of their job description or not, this group face a series of common and often unique challenges in working to support or coordinate high-quality public engagement within UK higher education institutions or research institutes.

We also welcome those working in similar roles in the sector, or those working with HEIs, research institutes or funders to coordinate and support public engagement.

We do also welcome members from outside the UK, but the majority of our membership is UK-based and therefore the content of events/discussions reflects this.

What does membership involve?

Annual Calendar of events - these are held online. Events provide a mix of formal Continuing Professional Development, structured networking and skills sharing, as well as a chance to hear from NCCPE and other sector experts about the latest developments.

Quarterly Newsletter - specifically aimed at professionals in the sector, this newsletter is an opportunity to share you own work and experience, as well as hearing from other members.

Online space - members have the opportunity to join the PEP Network Linkedin group, to meet and talk with other PEPs in the Network. This group is used to share work, opportunities and resources, ask questions, gather thoughts, and find peer support from others working in the sector.

Access to specific NCCPE opportunities - members of the network are eligible to apply for NCCPE programmes such as the NCCPE Engage Fellowship and the Racial Equity Action Learning Programme. Join now to find out about future opportunities!

PEP Nework Events Programme 2026-27

By joining the PEP Network, you will have access to our yearly events programme.

This year we are leading a four‑part, persona‑led series designed to help Public Engagement Professionals explore and apply the PEP Capabilities Framework in their everyday practice.

Each session explores different personas from the framework through real‑world case studies, peer learning, and reflective activities. Participants will deepen their understanding of the framework’s core capability areas - from engagement design and ethics to strategy, evidence, and operational delivery - and build confidence in articulating and advocating for their role.

These sessions aim to “bring the framework to life through real‑world practice” and support PEPs to “recognise and develop different aspects of their practice” while shaping the future of the framework itself.

17 September 2026 - Introduction to the PEP Capabilities Framework

This opening event introduces the draft PEP Capabilities Framework, a shared language for understanding skills, knowledge and behaviours shaping public engagement practice. This event sets the tone for the year: reflective, practical, and grounded in real world examples.

10th December 2026 - Relationships and Ethical Practice

This session dives deep into three personas central to relational, inclusive and ethical public engagement practice: the Facilitator, Partnership Builder and Ethics Guardian. Speakers will share real examples of designing inclusive processes, navigating relationships and embedding duty of care.

11 March 2027 - Strategy and Influence

Explore how strategy, resourcefulness and systems come together to support effective public engagement. This session brings together three personas - Strategist, Tactician and Systems Enabler - with real-world examples of aligning priorities, maximising impact and building processes.

10th June 2027 - Translating Knowledge into Action

Our final session explores how knowledge and insight are translated into meaningful action. Focusing on the Research Translator and Evidence Translator personas from the PEP capabilities framework, participants will see how research is made accessible and how evidence informs better decisions.

Examples of previous events

Producing video assets

This event explored approaches to producing video assets that can help tell the story of our work.

Exploring Ethics

In this event we heard from a range of speakers about how they approach ethics in their engagement work.

Social and Economic Value of Engagement

This event explored how public and community engagement contributes to public value in higher education.

Engage Fellowships

In 2024, the NCCPE Engage Fellowships scheme offered grants of up to £25,000 for individuals, partnerships, or groups of people with the drive, passion, and thinking to see engaged practice embedded in UK Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

Engage Fellowships were exclusively opened to the NCCPE's PEP Network.

Meet the current Engage Fellows

A group of people are sitting at a table and listening a colleague explain something

Become a member

Applications for Membership of the PEP Network are open all year round and the network is currently free to join.

Apply to become a member

Contact the PEP Network team

For any enquiries about the PEP Network, please contact

pepnetwork@uwe.ac.uk.

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