BU Research Blog

Why share your research with a public audience? 

Sharing your research with members of the public builds understanding, trust, and support. It makes your research more relevant, encourages learning, improves communication, and strengthens the connection between research and society. The questions you receive from attendees may also help you think differently about your own research and even inspire new areas to explore. 

Introduction to public engagement and available resources 

The National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE) highlights the value of public involvement in research and provides resources to help researchers engage with the public effectively, making research more impactful and accessible. Learn more about public engagement and access resources here 

Can you present your research in a simple and engaging way? 

We encourage you to share your research in 10 slides or fewer. The challenge of keeping it brief will help you focus your message and keep your audience engaged. The event format will involve delivering a short talk about your research, followed by a discussion where you can answer questions from a varied audience. We strongly encourage interactive methods to keep your talk engaging. 

Event details 

Location: BGB Café 

Event times: 6:30-8pm. Attendees will be able to arrive from 6pm to purchase drinks and food before the event begins. 

We are now inviting expressions of interest for speakers for our event on Tuesday 1 July.

 Who can get involved? 

This is an excellent training opportunity, especially if you are new to public engagement. The friendly audience and relaxed environment will provide a great setting to build your confidence. Whether you are just starting out, or looking to improve your skills, we welcome academics at all career stages, with a focus on those beginning their public engagement journey. We encourage collaboration between experienced and newer speakers to help provide support and gain a rewarding learning experience. 

What support can you expect? 

Organised by BU’s Public Engagement with Research team, part of Research Development and Support, the team will support you every step of the way—from brainstorming your ideas, developing interesting and interactive ways to help you connect your research with a public audience, to event set-up and promotion. We will be there on the day to ensure everything runs smoothly. 

Evaluating your event 

To help you get the most out of this experience, we will also support you in evaluating your event. By gathering feedback from your audience, you will gain valuable insights into how well your research was understood and received, and how you can refine your public speaking and engagement skills for future events. 

Ready to get involved? 

Complete our expressions of interest form to register your interest. 

Please note completing the form does not guarantee a spot. We will reach out to discuss your potential participation. 

Should you have any questions, please contact the Public Engagement with Research Team at publicengagement@bournemouth.ac.uk