At BU, we celebrate and support efforts to engage the public with our research.
The Public Engagement with Research team in RDS can help promote your event to relevant audiences through our monthly newsletter and social media channels.
To be considered for inclusion, your event or activity must be:
intended for and open to non-academic audiences
focused on BU research, either solely or as part of a wider programme (events that do not involve BU research, such as marketing or recruitment activities, will not be accepted)
submitted no later than the first two weeks of the month before the event. For example, for a June event, submit by 14 May.
Please note: event descriptions may be edited for consistency with other content
Get inspired at BU’s Research Café – where research comes to life
Join a community of curious minds to ask questions, share ideas, and explore research at Bournemouth University. Enjoy thought-provoking talks followed by lively discussions, where you can engage directly with guest speakers and fellow attendees.
Our next event features talks from Bournemouth University postgraduate researchers, all currently working towards their PhDs and eager to share their work with the public.
We are excited to welcome three researchers who will present their work and discuss how their research might address the following questions:
What influences tourists when using public transport, and how can we encourage more eco-friendly travel habits?
How do video games bring back memories from the past, and what makes them feel nostalgic?
How are drinking habits and eating behaviours connected in women, and how can we improve support for those facing these challenges?
Taking place at BGB Café on Tuesday 6 May, the talks will begin at 6:30pm. The café opens at 6pm, so arrive early to buy a drink and a bite to eat before the event begins.
The ESRC Festival of Social Science (FoSS) returns from 18 October to 8 November 2025. This is a fantastic opportunity for researchers to showcase their work in the UK’s largest celebration of social science research.
Partnership with the University of Southampton
For the third consecutive year, Bournemouth University is partnering with the University of Southampton (UoS) to deliver a programme of social science events across Dorset and Hampshire. This collaboration enables BU researchers to organise joint events with UoS colleagues and share impactful research with a broader community.
Why get involved?
Engage with non-academic audiences and make a meaningful impact in the community
Showcase your research beyond the university to reach wider audiences
Gain valuable public engagement experience while enhancing your communication skills
Expand your professional network through collaborations with fellow researchers
Online information session
BU’s Public Engagement Team will co-host an online information session with the Impact Funding Team (Research and Innovation Services, UoS). During the session, you will learn about past FoSS events at both universities and hear first-hand experiences from previous participants. The session will also explain the application process and guide you on how to get involved in this year’s festival.
Wednesday 2 April 2025
11am – 12pm
Online (via Teams)
To attend, please register and we will be in touch with further information.
The call for applications will open soon. In the meantime, if you are considering applying, we recommend reviewing the 2024 festival open call to gain a clear understanding of the expectations and festival criteria. Understanding the ESRC’s guidelines and expectations is key to submitting a strong application.
If you have colleagues at the University of Southampton who might be interested in running a joint event, consider reaching out to explore collaboration opportunities. Joint events can strengthen your application and broaden your impact, so they are strongly encouraged.
Get inspired by past festival events. For ideas and inspiration, take a look at:
Funding of up to £1,000 per event is available to support your event. BU’s Public Engagement team will offer ongoing advice and guidance at every stage – from application and event development to planning, delivery, and evaluation.
New drop-in surgery for application support
In addition to the information session, the Public Engagement Team will be hosting a drop-in surgery on campus, providing you with the opportunity to meet the team and receive additional support for your application.
This will:
Offer guidance on festival requirements and application criteria
Assist researchers in refining event ideas to ensure alignment with ESRC guidelines
Provide one-to-one support to strengthen applications and improve the chances of success
Share insights on best practices for engaging diverse audiences
Help refine event formats and maximise impact
Take advantage of this support to enhance your proposal and perfect your event plans.
At Bournemouth University, we are committed to making our research accessible beyond the university.
If you are organising an event that connects members of the public with BU’s research, we can help promote it to relevant audiences through our monthly newsletters and social media channels.
To be considered for inclusion, your event or activity must be;
Intended for and open to non-academic audiences
Focused on BU research, either solely or as part of a wider programme. Events or activities that do not involve BU research, such as marketing or recruitment events, will not be accepted.
Submitted, at the latest, in the first two weeks of the month preceding the event. For example, an event taking place in June should be submitted via the form any time before 14 May.
Event descriptions may be edited for consistency in style with other content.
Develop your public engagement skills in a friendly environment!
Our new Research Café series is underway, and we are looking for 3-4 postgraduate researchers to take part in the first PGR showcase of the series in May. These events are designed to showcase research from across BU—including arts, humanities, science, health, technology, business, and more.
Event Details:
📅Date: Tuesday, 6 May 🕡Time: 6:30–8:00 pm 📍Venue: Bournemouth University Gateway Building (BGB) Café
Why Participate?
Enhance Communication Skills: Develop your ability to present complex ideas in an accessible manner.
Engage with the Public: Share your research with a diverse audience and gain fresh perspectives.
Receive Professional Support: Benefit from training and guidance provided by our experienced Public Engagement Team.
Boost Confidence: Build confidence in public speaking and research dissemination.
What to Expect:
Shifting away from traditional slide-based presentations, this event encourages engagement and interaction. You’ll deliver a short talk about your research, followed by an interactive discussion where you can engage with the audience and answer their questions.
How to Get Involved
Complete a short form to express your interest and tell us a bit about your research.
If selected, you will receive guidance on developing an engaging talk for a public audience.
The Public Engagement Team will organise and promote the event to local public audiences. We will support you every step of the way—from refining your talk to helping with logistics on the day.
Apply Now
If you’re interested in taking part, please complete this form.
PGRs who took part in last year’s Café Scientifique event found the experience immensely rewarding:
“It was so helpful and improved my presentation. The feedback helped to make it better.”
“I realised that not only scientists, but the public also are extremely interested in the research we are doing. It is a major motivation I have taken from doing this event.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed presenting my research during the Café Scientifique. To be honest, I was nervous before and didn’t expect the community here to be so welcoming and passionate about research.”
The call for applications for Being Human Festival 2025 is now open
Being Human is the UK’s national festival of the humanities. Each year researchers and staff from universities and research organisations are invited to take part in the national festival by organising a public engagement event or activity, rooted in humanities research.
This year’s festival will take place 6-15 November with the theme ‘Between the Lines’.
Being Human is a place-based festival that emphasises interaction, collaboration and engaging with communities outside higher education. The festival supports innovative, participatory and creative activities that foster genuine, two-way connections with communities.
You can get an idea of what the festival looks like, and the types of activities they support, in the 2024 highlights film, and by reading the 2024 highlights blog.
There are various ways to participate in the festival:
Please note: only applicants from UK Higher Education Institutions and AHRC-recognised IROs are eligible to receive grants.
Unfunded pathway
Festival Event: organise a festival event that does not require funding from Being Human. Deadline: Friday 4 July
Funding details and support available
There is no additional funding available for small expenses, and applicants should seek support from their faculty in the first instance.
The Festival Hub model is not possible this year, as it would require match funding, which we do not have.
If you wish to apply for the £4,000 event grant, you are welcome to do so, but there is no separate funding for other expenses.
BU’s Public Engagement Team can support applicants by helping them plan and design engagement activities to ensure meaningful and effective public interaction.
Further details about how to apply, and answers to some frequently asked questions, are available here.
Apply to Being Human Festival 2025 Webinar
Find out more about applying to the festival at the online information session ‘Applying to Being Human Festival 2025’ taking place on Thursday 27 February 2-3pm. Sign up here.
Training Programme 2025
The full training programme for 2025, has sessions running from February to October. This year’s programme includes new events on engagement and inclusion and creative engagement, alongside sessions on audiences, partnerships, promoting events and delivering events.
The sessions are led by expert facilitators, alongside members of the Being Human Festival team. Training is primarily aimed at those taking part, or thinking of taking part, in Being Human Festival, but will be of interest to those working in public engagement more broadly.
The Public Engagement Toolkits have recently been updated. These downloadable PDF resources cover subjects including working with partners, delivering inclusive activities and finding the right format. Browse the toolkits
Contact
Should you require advice on public engagement activities or support with your application, please contact BU’s Public Engagement with Research Team: publicengagement@bournemouth.ac.uk
Make an impact: engage the community with your research
Get involved with our new Research Café series – an excellent opportunity to share your research with the public in a relaxed setting. Move away from conventional slide-based presentations and connect with the community in a meaningful way.
After more than 12 years, our Café Scientifique series has come to an end. Building on its success, our new event series will open up to all areas of research. In the first talk in our new series, Bournemouth University cybersecurity expert Professor Vasilis Katos will explore how we might help to defend our towns and cities from attack – Find out more
Our event in May will showcase post-graduate researchers – more information coming soon.
For our upcoming July event, we are especially interested in hearing from arts and humanities researchers.
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.
Are you organising a public engagement activity or event that you would like help to promote?
Whether it’s a community event, public lecture, workshop, or any other public engagement activity, the Public Engagement with Research team can assist in promoting your event. Our monthly newsletters and social media channels offer a range of promotional opportunities to help you reach a wider audience and ensure your event is a success.
To be considered for inclusion, your event or activity must be;
Intended for and open to non-academic audiences
Focused on BU research, either solely or as part of a wider programme. Events or activities that do not involve BU research, such as marketing or recruitment events, will not be accepted.
Submitted, at the latest, in the first two weeks of the month preceding the event. For example, an event taking place in June should be submitted via the form any time before 14 May.
Event descriptions may be edited for consistency in style with other content.
There is one week left to apply to run an event at the British Science Festival 2025!
The British Science Festival will take place in Liverpool from the 10 – 14 September 2025, and will be hosted in partnership by the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University.
The programme showcases cutting-edge science, technology and ideas that challenge, inspire and excite audiences. Each year, thousands of people come together to celebrate the latest developments in research and engage in open discussion about issues affecting our culture and society.
Open Call for proposals – Do you have an idea to engage public audiences with science and research?
Anyone can propose an event and the Festival celebrates science in its broadest sense. The organisers are looking for proposals from individuals, researchers, industry professionals, artists, writers, organisations, charities, academic institutions, and more. They aim to programme a range of formats from talks to drop-in activities and creative content that challenges perceptions of what science is and can be.
The Festival is free and open to all, but content should be appropriate for an adult (16+ audience).
More information, including how to submit a proposal, can be found here
The deadline for proposals is 23.59 20 January 2025.
Alternatively, should you wish to discuss your application with BU’s Public Engagement with Research team, please contact publicengagement@bournemouth.ac.uk.
The British Science Festival will take place across the city of Liverpool from the 10 – 14 September 2025, and will be hosted in partnership by the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University.
Anyone can propose an event. Artists, researchers, community activists, critical thinkers, industry partners, charities and beyond- from across disciplinary backgrounds are invited to submit proposals events, activities or installations.
The British Science Festival celebrates science in its broadest sense. The programme showcases cutting-edge science, technology and ideas that challenge, inspire and excite audiences. Each year, thousands of people come together to celebrate the latest developments in research and to engage in open discussion about issues affecting our culture and society.
While the primary focus is on events programming, the organisers are keen on programming public installations and welcome proposals that could be hosted throughout the festival in site-specific locations like shopping centres, public buildings and town squares.
The Festival is free and open to all, but content should be tailored to an adult (16+) audience.
The target audience for the programme is:
Non-specialist young adults (16-30 years old), particularly from groups underserved and underrepresented in science
Those with broad interest in science but don’t actively seek to engage with it
Those who might not self-identify as interested in science, but who are interested in cultural experiences (e.g., music, technology, films, fashion etc) or have a personal connection to a particular field of science (e.g., gardening, sports, mental health, accessibility technology, etc)
The organisers particularly welcome creative content that challenges perceptions of what science is and can be. They anticipate that the majority of events in the 2025 programme will use a range of participatory formats and take place outside traditional lecture-theatre settings. A limited number of talks and panel discussions will be programmed.
To submit a proposal for an event please complete the proposal form.
The deadline for open call applications is 23.59 on Monday 20 January 2025.
Before developing and submitting your proposal, you are encouraged to read the FAQs
Alternatively, should you wish to discuss your application with BU’s Public Engagement with Research team, please contact publicengagement@bournemouth.ac.uk.
The ESRC Festival of Social Science 2024 has come to an end, successfully bringing together diverse audiences to explore, learn, and engage with BU’s research.
The 2024 festival, which included 324 nationwide events, had ‘our digital lives’ as a central theme. Many of the events examined the relationship between humans and digital technology, exploring current threats and opportunities, as well as imagining what life might be like in the future.
For the 13th year, BU took part in the festival, drawing over 250 attendees to five engaging events, two of which were also featured in the University of Southampton’s Arts and Humanities Day on Saturday 9 November. In partnership with the University of Southampton for the second consecutive year, the festival showcased a programme of events, ranging from discussions on well-being and cybersecurity to an exhibition highlighting the voices of young LGBTQ+ individuals.
Avonwood Primary School
Our festival programme began with ‘Underwater Farms – The Magic of Seaweed’ an exciting opening event for 61 year 3 students at Avonwood Primary School.
Activities with pupils at Avonwood Primary School
BU researchersAnastasia Vayona and Kirthana Pillay visited two classes, where they introduced children between the ages of 7-8 to the wonders of seaweed as a food source and highlighted how underwater farming could play a crucial role in creating a more sustainable future for agriculture. The children were particularly keen to try the seaweed scones!
“…a really informative and fun event that was perfectly pitched for the age of participants…it gave them a chance to explore food and nutrition in a fun, interactive context” feedback from a teacher at Avonwood Primary School
The next event in our programme, ‘Take a Meno(pause)’ – exploring well-being through yoga for mid-life -was an interactive session at Pavilion Dance, focusing on the benefits of yoga during the menopause years.
Yoga practice led by Dr Hecquet
Dr Juliette Hecquet’s research looks at yoga’s effectiveness in managing the physical and emotional symptoms of perimenopause, menopause, and beyond. By integrating body and mind, yoga promotes health, strength, and overall well-being during this life stage.
Yoga breathing exercises
Participants learned how yoga can enhance physical and mental health and how mindfulness can support the transition through mid-life. The session also included a guided yoga practice led by Dr Hecquet, with poses and breathing exercises designed to deepen relaxation and improve well-being throughout the menopause journey.
“…very professional and I thoroughly enjoyed it.” feedback from an attendee
Board game activities at Cybersecurity Family Fun day in Poole Dolphin Centre
BU’sCyGamBIT Team hosted a ‘Cybersecurity Family Fun Day’ at Gather, the hub for community events at the Dolphin Centre in Poole. During half term, this interactive cybersecurity day gave participants of all ages the opportunity to discover practical tools to enhance digital safety, with hands-on activities that made learning about cybersecurity both fun and accessible
Guided by BU computer science researcher Dr Jane Henriksen-Bulmer and CyGamBIT co-founder and BU PhD student Emily Rosenorn-Lanng, families left with practical takeaways to help keep their information secure and a better understanding of how digital safety affects everyone.
“…granddaughter loved how it taught her about safety online” feedback from an attendee
The ‘Communities of wellbeing: the digital lives of LGBTQ+ young people’ exhibition was displayed at the Lighthouse in Poole from 26 October – 16 November. The artwork highlighted the powerful stories of young LGBTQ+ individuals, who shared their experiences of creating inclusive online spaces where they feel safe, joyful, and have a sense of belonging.
Exhibition displayed at the Lighthouse in Poole
Dr Jayne Caudwell and Dr Francesca Gaunt hosted a series of workshops with LGBTQ+ youth. Through these group discussions, six key themes emerged, including topics like the experience of coming out as LGBTQ+ in online spaces. These conversations inspired the creation of artwork reflecting the themes explored.
The exhibition images and content from the workshops will also be used to create a digital version of the exhibition, coming soon!
“…inspiring – we all have far more in common than our differences – we all need respect and acceptance” feedback from an attendee
Our online workshop, ‘Teaching for Wellbeing: Connecting Practice with Socio-Emotional Support’, led by Dr Esther Anwuzia, covered effective teaching practices to support students’ well-being in today’s challenging environment.
Former teachers Elaine Baker-Smith and Jerry Whitton with a combined 55 years of experience also participated in the session, offering their perspectives on effective teaching practices, and promoting student well-being.
Dr Anwuzia’s research explores how heavy workloads restrict teachers’ ability to reflect beyond teaching and grading. Since the pandemic, an increasing number of students with social and emotional difficulties are absent from school. Focused teaching can help build students’ confidence and support responsible decision-making.
Teacher Zoom Event
The workshop provided an opportunity for teachers to connect, exchange insights, reflect on their experiences, and explore strategies for making a positive impact on students’ lives.
“… I remember having a teacher who explained information in lots of different ways to help with our understanding”
“…really brilliant presentation!” feedback from attendees
Watch this event
A Special Feature – Southampton Arts and Humanities Day
For the first time, BU researchers were invited to participate in the University of Southampton’s Arts and Humanities Day, which took place on Saturday 9 November in the city’s Cultural Quarter. The day offered a range of free interactive activities, workshops, talks, performances, and exhibits.
Attendees had the opportunity to engage with the Young LGBTQ+ stories exhibition, which attracted more than 90 viewers, while Dr Esther Anwuzia hosted a drop-in session on Connecting teaching with student wellbeing, making her own connections with more than 30 educators and members of the public.
Southampton Arts and Humanities Day
Thank you
A big thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to this year’s ESRC Festival of Social Science. Your involvement helped make our events a meaningful celebration of the positive impact social science has on our communities.
Applying for the ESRC Festival – what you need to know
Event leads were chosen through a competitive internal application process, with selections determined by a panel of researchers and professional services staff. BU’s Public Engagement Team provided support to help bring their creative and engaging event ideas to life.
If you’re considering participating in a future ESRC Festival of Social Science, now is an ideal time to start preparing your proposal. Begin by exploring the 2024 festival open call to gain insight into what we look for in applications for 2025.
If you would like to start discussing your ideas, please get in touch with the public engagement with research team at publicengagement@bournemouth.ac.uk.
Are you organising a public engagement activity or event that you would like help to promote?
Whether it’s a community event, public lecture, workshop, or any other public engagement activity, the Public Engagement with Research team can assist in promoting your event. Our monthly newsletters and social media channels offer a range of promotional opportunities to help you reach a wider audience and ensure your event is a success.
To be considered for inclusion, your event or activity must be;
Intended for and open to non-academic audiences
Focused on BU research, either solely or as part of a wider programme. Events or activities that do not involve BU research, such as marketing or recruitment events, will not be accepted.
Submitted, at the latest, in the first two weeks of the month preceding the event. For example, an event taking place in June should be submitted via the form any time before 14 May.
Event descriptions may be edited for consistency in style with other content.
We are pleased to confirm that the deadline for submitting data for the 2023-24 HE-BCI submission has now passed.
We would like to extend our thanks to everyone who provided information on their social, community and cultural events.
This year, thanks to your valuable contributions, we appear to have successfully captured an increased number of events in comparison to previous years.
Thank you once again for your support. We look forward to sharing further insights with you soon.
Thank you to everyone who has already submitted their social, community and cultural events for 2023-24. Your contributions are greatly appreciated. If you haven’t submitted yours yet, there is still time.
Deadline: Monday 4 November
Last year, we documented over 200 events and reached a total of 18.5 million attendees (including media appearances) for the 2022-23 return. We aim to match or even exceed that success this year!
ESRC Festival of Social Science 2023 – Two Tone Towns: A Social History of Ska in Dorset
What is HE-BCI?
The HE-BCI survey is a mandatory annual return that BU makes to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). An important part of this is to capture activity in terms of social, community and cultural events intended for the external community. This data is part of the information used to determine the allocation of Higher Education and Innovation Funding (HEIF) for BU.
What activities can be included?
Please include details of any relevant events that you have been involved in which took place/will take place between 1 August 2023 – 31 July 2024
Events must have been open to the public or intended for an external (non-academic) group and have included an exchange of knowledge. Events may take place in the UK or overseas
TheSharePoint site provides details about what data is collected, including calculating attendee numbers, staff time, reporting online activities and multiple related events
The LGBTQ+ Digital Lives project at Bournemouth University is exploring the online safety experiences of young people in the LGBTQ+ community.
Could you spare a few minutes to share your thoughts on this important issue?
The content and ideas shared from this survey will contribute to the ‘Our Digital Lives’ art exhibition, which will be on display during the ESRC Festival of Social Science (October – November 2024) with plans to also display during LGBTQ+ History Month (February 2025) and Pride Month (June 2025).
Your participation in this survey is greatly appreciated. Please be assured that all responses will remain completely anonymous with no personal identifiers collected. Your answers will be used solely to support the ‘Our Digital Lives’ art exhibition.
At BU we promote and celebrate the work done to engage public audiences with our research.
The Public Engagement with Research team, part of Research Development and Support, can help you reach relevant audiences through a monthly newsletters and social media channels.
To be considered for promotion, your event or activity must meet the following criteria:
Targeted at and open to non-academic audiences
Centered on BU research, either exclusively or as part of a broader programme. Events not involving BU research, such as marketing or recruitment events, will not be accepted
Submitted by the first two weeks of the month prior to the event. For instance, an event in June should be submitted by May 14
Event descriptions may be edited to align with our style guidelines
Join our public lecture and debate on Wednesday 17 July, 5:30-7pm to find out how to advocate for your rights to medical treatment
People living in Dorset currently face some of the worst levels of contact with health services in the UK, with GP waiting times in the county the second longest in England.
Join our public lecture and debate, led by Bournemouth University legal experts Dr Samuel Walker and Dr Matthew Watkins to explore your legal and ethical rights to timely care and treatment. Discover practical steps you can take to speed up diagnosis and treatment for you and your family, and discuss the recent introduction of ‘Martha’s Rule’, which enables you to seek a second opinion on the NHS.
After the lecture (30 minutes approx.), you will be invited to move into small groups to discuss your own experiences and suggest ways to improve local access and provision to healthcare services
At BU we promote and celebrate the work done to engage public audiences with our research.
The Public Engagement with Research team in Research Development and Support can help promote your event to relevant audiences through our monthly newsletters and via our social media channels.
To be considered for inclusion, your event or activity must be;
Focused on BU research, either solely or as part of a wider programme. Events or activities that do not involve BU research, such as marketing or recruitment events, will not be accepted.
Intended for and open to non-academic audiences, either entirely or as a portion of the audience.
Submitted, at the latest, in the first two weeks of the month preceding the event. For example, an event taking place in June should be submitted via the form any time before 14 May.
Event descriptions may be edited for consistency in style with other content.