Public engagement holiday reads

Sophie Duncan, NCCPE Deputy Director, recommends her top holiday reads for summer 2018 - inspired by the new issue of Research for All.

For some of us, August provides a great time to take a break from work. It can also open up a chance to reflect on our work, and plan for the future.

The newspapers have been full of top lists of ‘holiday reads’, but before you get stuck into the latest novel, I would like to commend to you the latest edition of Research for All. Packed full of articles, the latest edition provides an opportunity to learn about the work others are doing, and how they are making sense of engaged research in their various disciplinary, geographical, and community contexts. Here are some of the articles you might like to take a look at.

• Planning for REF 2021? Then immerse yourself in the world of ocean science, as Copley uncovers the essential engagement pathways he and his colleagues took to make their work four star…
• Wanting to keep children engaged? Then explore how Varaden et al engaged primary school children in their own research project, to monitor air pollution, and explore better routes to school.
• Planning for the new term? Consider how you could support young people to do an extended project qualification – with top tips from Cripps et al from their School-University Partnership Initiative work.
• Wondering about the relevance of public engagement to your research? Learn from Uchegbu et al as they explore the potential barriers and opportunities for engagement in medical technology and in vitro diagnostic research.
• Dreaming of being a physicist? Then explore the wonderful world of volunteer scientists who are helping uncover the science of the very small in Barr and Kalderon’s account.
• Love exploring new horizons? Then join Fransman as she charts out a course for a new territory – research engagement studies.
• Lack of motivation? Then be inspired by what motivates public scientists in Italy in Cerrato et al’s report.
• Want to reimagine how universities work? Then explore how engaging with young people might transform what you do through Pahl and Evans’ account.
• Tired of working alone? Then explore how co-producing research can lead to new insights and new approaches with Sharpe at al’s work on diabetes and young people.

These articles are just a small selection of the treats in store – so do check out the journal to be inspired, and engaged. The editorial is a great place to start.

The nature of this blog may be light hearted, but the content of the journal is well worth a look for those serious about developing engaged research, or those curious to find out why engagement matters. So whether you can relax by a beach, or grab a coffee at your desk – check out the journal and let us know what you think. Better still, once you are back at work, why not consider contributing something of your own...

Research for All is a peer-reviewed journal focusing on research that involves universities and communities, services or industries working together. It is a partnership between UCL IOE Press, UCL IOE and the NCCPE.