Engaging Experiences Dr Stuart Allan stuart.allan@manchester.ac.uk Faculty of Life Sciences Dr Stuart Allan stuart.allan@manchester.ac.uk manchester.ac.uk/lifesciences
Why do I engage? Enjoyable & rewarding Moral obligation Seen as increasingly important Funding bodies Learned societies Universities Public opinion To promote science and scientific research
What is public engagement? “an umbrella term for any activity that engages the public with research, from science communication in science centres or festivals, to consultation, to public dialogue. Any good engagement activity should involve two-way aspects of listening and interaction..” (RCUK definition)
Who are the public? “Of or concerning the people as a whole” (Oxford dictionary definition) Family and friends TV viewers, newspaper readers People who fund your research Patients Animal rights groups, environmental groups ‘Those in the pub’
Benefits to the researcher Enjoyment Satisfaction Contacts/opportunities Improved communication skills Money – grants actually get funded!
Examples “The Body Experience”
“Making sense of your brain” Examples “Making sense of your brain”
Examples “You know it makes sense” Interactive pub quiz with demonstrations at Manchester, Nottingham and Melbourne for the World Congress of Neuroscience. “Stroke research: from test tube to treatment” http://manchesterscience.blogspot.com
“A day in the life” http://www.a-day-inthelife.blogspot.com/
The dozens of volunteers over the years… And of course the funders…. The Physiological Society, RCUK, Wellcome VIP, IBRO, FENS/EDAB, UoM, FLS