1. Introduction to Public Engagement
Who is it for? What is its purpose?
Dr Karen Bultitude
karen.bultitude@ucl.ac.uk
Department of Science and Technology Studies, University College London
Science Communication Conference
Monday 14 May 2012, London UK

2. Introduction to Public Engagement
Session Overview
• What is ‘Public Engagement’?
• Useful resources for getting started
• Jargon buster
• Motivations & purposes
• Top tips for SCC2012

3. Communication Approaches
different
• Transmit public groups
e.g. lectures or
public health
campaigns
scientists /
institutions
Science for All (2010)

4. Communication Approaches
different
• public groups
• Receive
e.g. surveys or
consultations
scientists /
institutions
Science for All (2010)

5. Communication Approaches
different
• public groups
•
scientists /
institutions
• Collaborate
e.g. co-created
research or
consensus
building
Science for All (2010)

6. Who are ‘the Public’?
Many publics!
• schools and colleges
• families and children
• young people (aged 18-25)
• adults
• local communities, community groups
• business and industry
• government and policy makers
…

7. The Public Engagement Triangle
Science for All (2010)

8. Getting Started in Public Engagement
• STEMNET
• Cafés Scientifique
• Science Festivals
• Science Centres & Museums
• Famelab
• Bright Club
• Science Showoff
• National Science & Engineering Week
• …

9. www.publicengagement.ac.uk/how

10. http://tinyurl.com/EngagingResearcher

11. http://tinyurl.com/Intro-to-PE
w ASDC w ASE w British
Science Association w
British Council w Cafés
Scientifique w Engineering
UK w Famelab w HEFCE w
NESTA Innovation w
National Science and
Engineering Week w RCUK
w Royal Society w Science
Council w Science
Festivals w Science Media
Centre w Science Shops w
Sciencewise w STEMNET w
Wellcome Trust

12. Jargon Buster
REF STEM
PES PEST
PE NCCPE
PUS RCUK
BIS BSA
Q: Which two of the above are NOT in current use?!

13. IMPACT
The overall effect
or influence of the
activity
outputs
+
outcomes
=
impact
Vitae (2010)

14. Science for All (2010)

15. Karen’s Top Tips for Success at SCC2012:
1. Meet new people!
2. Don’t be shy to ask for clarification
of terms etc.
3. Get to sessions on time
4. Follow the Twitter feed:
@SciCommConf, #scicom12
5. Contribute… listen… collaborate…
Engage!

16. Recommended Resources
• Science for All (2010). Report and action plan from the Science for All
Expert Group. London: Department for Business, Innovation and
Skills. Available from
http://interactive.bis.gov.uk/scienceandsociety/site/all/files/2010/02/
Science-for-All-Final-Report-WEB.pdf.
• Bultitude, K. (2011) The Why and How of Science Communication. In
Rosulek, P. (Ed) Science Communication. Pilsen: European
Commission. Available from
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/sts/staff/bultitude/KB_TB/Karen_Bultitude_-
_Science_Communication_Why_and_How.pdf.
• Duncan, S. and Spizer, S. (2010). The engaging researcher: Inspiring
people to engage with your research. Vitae and the Beacons for Public
Engagement. Available from
http://www.vitae.ac.uk/CMS/files/upload/
The_engaging_researcher_2010.pdf.