BU Research Blog

The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Public Engagement Early-Career Researcher Forum (the ‘PEER Forum’) will support talented scientists and engineers in the early stages of their career to develop their public engagement and outreach goals, to ensure the next generation of STFC scientists and engineers continue to deliver the highest quality of purposeful, audience-driven public engagement.

STFC Public Engagement Early-Career Researcher Forum

Call for Applications

Closing date: 4pm Friday 9 June 2023

PEER Forum aims

• To foster peer learning and support between early career scientists and engineers with similar passion for public engagement and outreach, thus developing a peer support network that goes beyond an individual’s term in the forum
• To foster a better knowledge and understanding of the support mechanisms available from STFC and other organisations, including funding mechanisms, evaluation, and reporting. As well as how to successfully access and utilise this support
• To explore the realities of delivering and leading public engagement as an early career professional and build an evidence base to inform and influence STFC and by extension UKRI’s approaches to public engagement, giving an effective voice to early career researchers

What will participation in the Forum involve?

Participants in the PEER Forum will meet face-to-face at least twice per year to share learning and to participate in session that will strengthen the depth and breadth of their understanding of public engagement and outreach.

Who can apply to join the Forum?

The PEER Forum is for practising early-career scientists and engineers who have passion and ambition for carrying out excellent public engagement alongside, and complementary to, their career in science or engineering. Forum members from across the breadth of STFC’s pure and applied science and technology remit.

The personal requirements of PEER Forum membership are that members:

• Have completed (or currently studying for – including apprentices and PhD students) their highest level of academic qualification within the last ten years (not including any career breaks)
• Are employed at a Higher Education Institute, or a research-intensive Public Sector Research Organisation or Research Laboratory (including STFC’s own national laboratories)
• Work within a science and technology field in STFC’s remit, or with a strong inter-disciplinary connection to STFC’s remit, or use an STFC facility to enable their own research
• Clearly describe their track record of experience in their field, corresponding to the length of their career to date
• Clearly describe their track record of delivering and leading, or seeking the opportunity to lead, public engagement and/or outreach
• Are keen communicators with a willingness to contribute to the success of a UK-wide network
• Can provide insight into their experiences in public engagement and/or outreach and also evidence one or more of the following;
  1. Inspiring others
  2. Delivering impact
  3. Demonstrating creativity
  4. Introducing transformative ideas and/or inventions
  5. Building and sustaining collaborations/networks

Further information

For more details on how to apply please visit the website or contact Dr Elizabeth Cunningham elizabeth.cunningham@stfc.ukri.org

Alternatively, if you would like advice on developing ideas or submitting your application, please contact Adam Morris (Engagement Officer) publicengagement@bournemouth.ac.uk