Celebrating 10 Years of the Engage Watermark

A decade ago, NCCPE launched the Engage Watermark with a simple but powerful idea: that public engagement shouldn't sit at the edges of university life, but run through the very fabric of an institution.

Ten years on, that idea has taken root across the UK higher education sector. Dozens of institutions have gone through the rigorous Watermark assessment process, emerging with clearer strategies, stronger cultures, and deeper relationships with the communities they serve. From early Bronze awardees building their foundations, to Platinum holders who have sustained and advanced their commitment over many years, the Watermark has become a recognised mark of genuine, evidenced excellence in public engagement.

To mark this important anniversary, we've made a short film - a celebration of the institutions, the practitioners and the moments that have shaped the award's first decade. It features the voices of those who have lived the process, and reflects on what ten years of collective commitment to engagement really looks like.

Watch the film below, and find out more about how your institution can be part of the next ten years.