BU Research Blog

January 19, 2022

Have you been involved in an event for the external community? Deadline soon!

BU research, BU2025, Events, HEIF, Impact, Knowledge Exchange, Public engagement, Research communication Amanda Edwards

Please tell us about the social, cultural and community events that you’ve been involved with by Tuesday 25th January.

BU is currently compiling the data for the annual Higher Education – Business & Community (HE-BCI) survey. Data returned is used to calculate our Higher Education Innovation Funding (HEIF) grant and feeds into our Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) submission, so it’s really important that we can provide an accurate picture.

We are asked to submit details of all social, cultural and community events designed for the external community – including both free and chargeable events – which took place between 1 August 2020 and 31 July 2021. Event types that should be returned include, but are not limited to:

public lectures
performance arts (dance, drama, music, etc)
exhibitions
museum education
events for schools and community groups
festival activity
media engagement.

Please note that we cannot return events such as open days, Student Union activity, widening participation activity, commercial conferences, talks for academic audiences etc.

All events that were part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2020 and the Cafe Scientifique series have been collated on your behalf centrally, so there is no need to add these.

If you have been involved with any other event which could be returned, please go to the HE-BCI Table 5 SharePoint site and input further details about the event. The deadline for entries is 25 January 2022.

Click here to add your events

The site contains further guidance about eligible activities and a set of FAQs. If you have any further questions, please contact Amanda Edwards

January 10, 2022

Have you been involved with an event for the external community?

BU research, BU2025, Events, HEIF, Impact, Knowledge Exchange, Public engagement, Research communication Amanda Edwards

Then we want to hear from you! Deadline: 25 January 2022

BU is currently compiling the data for the annual Higher Education – Business & Community (HE-BCI) survey. Data returned is used to calculate our Higher Education Innovation Funding (HEIF) grant and feeds into our Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) submission, so it’s really important that we can provide an accurate picture.

We are asked to submit details of all social, cultural and community events designed for the external community – including both free and chargeable events – which took place between 1 August 2020 and 31 July 2021. Event types that should be returned include, but are not limited to:

public lectures
performance arts (dance, drama, music, etc)
exhibitions
museum education
events for schools and community groups
festival activity
media engagement.

Please note that we cannot return events such as open days, Student Union activity, widening participation activity, commercial conferences, talks for academic audiences etc.

All events that were part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2020 and the Cafe Scientifique series have been collated on your behalf centrally, so there is no need to add these.

If you have been involved with any other event which could be returned, please go to the HE-BCI Table 5 SharePoint site and input further details about the event. The deadline for entries is 25 January 2022.

Click here to add your events

The site contains further guidance about eligible activities and a set of FAQs. If you have any further questions, please contact Amanda Edwards

December 9, 2021

Have you been involved with an event for the external community?

BU research, BU2025, Events, HEIF, Impact, Knowledge Exchange, Public engagement, Research communication Amanda Edwards

Then we want to hear from you! Deadline: 25 January 2022

BU is currently compiling the data for the annual Higher Education – Business & Community (HE-BCI) survey. Data returned is used to calculate our Higher Education Innovation Funding (HEIF) grant and feeds into our Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) submission, so it’s really important that we can provide an accurate picture.

We are asked to submit details of all social, cultural and community events designed for the external community – including both free and chargeable events – which took place between 1 August 2020 and 31 July 2021. Event types that should be returned include, but are not limited to:

public lectures
performance arts (dance, drama, music, etc)
exhibitions
museum education
events for schools and community groups
festival activity
media engagement.

Please note that we cannot return events such as open days, Student Union activity, widening participation activity, commercial conferences, talks for academic audiences etc.

All events that were part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2020 and the Cafe Scientifique series have been collated on your behalf centrally, so there is no need to add these.

If you have been involved with any other event which could be returned, please go to the HE-BCI Table 5 SharePoint site and input further details about the event. The deadline for entries is 25 January 2022.

Click here to add your events

The site contains further guidance about eligible activities and a set of FAQs. If you have any further questions, please contact Amanda Edwards

December 16, 2014

Festival of Learning 2015– what could you do? A comedy evening?

Public engagement eloring

“The focus on dialogue, on exchange rather than simple knowledge transfer, which is the heart of true Public Engagement, is one of the greatest challenges for the modern university”

Michael Worton, UCL (University College London)

Can you present your research through comedy? Here are a few ‘top’ examples from the sensational ‘Bright Club’ ran by UCL:

Lust
Space
Food
Power
Time

If you are new to running a free public engagement event, an evening like ‘Bright Club’ is sure to be an enjoyable first experience. It’s exciting, innovative and creative structure brings together those from the academia world and those outside into a relaxed, informal setting where research can be communicated through an interactive and engaging way.

Throughout the evening, those researchers participating would be allocated a short time to present their comical performance on their research and there would be a professional host to ‘kick’ off and manage the evening.

Being involved in an event like this is a fantastic way to ‘brush-up’ on your presentation and performance skills and allows you to share your research in an entertaining and memorable way. It is also a fantastic way of raising awareness of your research and influencing the attitudes and values of your audience to your research.

A comedy club style evening is also very beneficial for both the audience members, and the performers. The members of the audience are able to hear about all the interesting research that goes on behind our institutional walls, learn from this and have a good time! Performers and researchers also benefit greatly as they develop/improve skills, gain feedback on their research – and have a good time!

Time to perform…..

If you would like to get involved in the Festival of Learning 2014 by hosting an event like ‘Bright Club’ and/or have some exciting ideas for any other type of public engagement activity, please register your interest with myself, Naomi Kay: or my colleague Harry Gibson.

There is also a useful blog post on why public engagement is beneficial here and other innovative ways of getting involved with public engagement here.

Please remember the deadline is 12 noon Friday this week (19th)

December 11, 2014

Festival of Learning 2015 – what could you do? A FACT OR FICTION style event?

Festival of Learning, Public engagement eloring

Do you remember the programme ‘Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction’ or today’s ‘Fact or Fiction’?

These two very popular television programmes challenged the audiences and members of the public to identify which one was true, and which one was false. This used to be quite a thought-provoking activity, challenging people’s perceptions and beliefs.

Is your research challenging and inspiring? Will it stimulate debate and discussion on ‘what’s right?’ and ‘what’s wrong?’

A ‘Fact or Fiction’ themed event will not only be enjoyable and insightful for the event organisers, but also for the members of the public who will be a part of this exciting and educational activity. Theming your event and encouraging attendees to participate will help them to learn and remember this one-of-a-kind experience.

Here are some examples for inspiration from other Festivals (including the British Science Festival 2012 and 2013) of ‘Fact or Fiction’ styled events:

Cyber Pearl Harbour: Fact or Fiction? – Organised by Northumbria University

The picture painted by the US Defense Secretary of successful cyber attacks is one of doom and destruction. Is this a picture of cold harsh realities or political hype?

Food Addiction: Fact or Fiction? – Organised by Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen and University of Essen, Germany

There are many complex factors which lead to people being overweight or obese, but the basic question is why do some people eat too much? Are they addicted to food? Join our international panel of psychiatrists and scientists to explore whether eating food can be so rewarding that it leads to a state of addiction similar to that seen with alcohol and drugs.

CSI: Fact or Fiction? – Organised by Robert Gordon University

Internationally renowned forensic scientist David Barclay has over 30 years’ experience and has worked on some of the highest profile cases in the UK and abroad. Discover how science played a key part in investigating these crimes and how scientific evidence is evaluated in the overall context of the investigation. Supplementary workshops at RGU will allow you to see first-hand some of the forensic techniques used.

Will you participate in the Festival of Learning: Fact or Fiction?

If you would like to get involved in the Festival of Learning 2014 by hosting an event like ‘Fact or Fiction‘ and/or have some exciting ideas for any other type of public engagement activity, please register your interest with either myself, Naomi Kay: or my colleague Harry Gibson

And do remember the proposal deadline is the 19th December

December 11, 2013

Why not get involved in the British Science Festival 2014?

Public engagement eloring

In 2014, the British Science Festival 2014 is taking place in Birmingham from 6 – 11 September. The British Science Association is working with their hosts, the University of Birmingham and associate partners Birmingham City Council, Aston University and Birmingham University. The association are now seeking proposals for the entertainment and family programme.

Specifically, they are looking for original, high quality science entertainments events for a wide range of audiences, including families, children , young adults, special interest groups and followers of the arts.

Events in the Festival programme include:

Workshops for adults and for families.
Comedy, drama and musical shows.
Sci-art collaborations
Trips to places of interest in the local area
Behind the scenes tours
Science shows

You can find out more about submitting your proposal for the entertainment and family programme, here.

If you would like to discuss any event ideas that you have, please contact Farrah Nazi by email, or by telephone on 020 7019 4941.

Young People’s Programme

The British Science Association are also accepting proposals for their Young People’s Programme. Next year they are focusing on highlighting career pathways and oppurtunities available to those who study science. Although the focus will be on young people aged 14+, they will also be offering activity for primary and lower secondary students.

You could propose:

A workshop giving students the opportunity to experience something that they wouldn’t in the classroom.
A science shows.
An inspiration speaker.
An activity that highlights career opportunities.

You can find out more about submitting your proposal for the Young People’s Programme, here.

If you would like to discuss your ideas for an activity, please contact Jo Coleman by email, or by telephone on 020 7019 4936.

In January 2014, the British Science Association will issue the call for proposals for events. If you have a talk, panel discussion or debate in mind, they will want to hear from you then.

You can register for more information on their website, or keep up-to-date on their Facebook page and twitter page.

October 21, 2013

Professor Iain MacRury: The Inner World of Doctor Who – Cafe Scientifique! Tuesday, 5 November

Public engagement eloring

For those of you who don’t know, Cafe Scientifique is a place where, for the price of a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, anyone can come to explore the latest ideas in science and technology. You can enjoy listening to a short talk from a guest speaker before engaging in debate and discussion around the topic. Cafe Scientifique runs every first Tuesday of the month (with the odd exception) from 7.30-9pm with doors open from 6.30pm at the lovely Cafe Boscanova in Boscombe.There is no need to register for Cafe Scientifique events, so just simply come along and enjoy yourself! Although, make sure you do get there early for a good seat though as they fill up fast and there is some excellent food available!

The Cafe Scientifique team continually aim to have a variety of different topics delivered in this interesting and interactive format. To keep up-to-date with the fascinating talks we are hosting you can like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, or visit our website. Also, if you would like to join our mailing list please email: cafescientifique@bournemouth.ac.uk

Now.. a bit more about November’s event!

Professor Iain MacRury: The Inner World of Doctor Who.

With the 50th anniversary of the iconic BBC series happening this November, Prof MacRury will discuss the psychology behind the show’s popularity.

•Why is it still, if not more, popular 50 years on?

•What has made it so appealing to people around the world?

•Why does it evoke such rich childhood memories of hiding behind the sofa from monsters?

Come along and help explore these topics in our own celebration of “The Doctor”.

The Cafe Scientifique team and Prof Iain MacRury look forward to seeing you there!

October 2, 2012

Have you been involved with an event designed for the external community?

Guidance, Research assessment Julie Northam

Then we want to hear from you! 🙂

The University is currently compiling the data for the annual Higher Education – Business & Community Interaction survey (HE-BCI) due to be submitted to HESA in early December.

We are asked to submit details of social, cultural and community events designed for the external community (to include both free and chargeable events) which took place between 1 August 2011 and 31 July 2012.

Event types that should be returned include:

public lectures
performance arts (dance, drama, music, etc)
exhibitions
museum education
events for schools and community groups
business breakfasts

We cannot return events such as open days, Student Union activity, commercial conferences, etc.

If you have been involved with an event which could be returned, please could you let your contact (see below) know the event name and date, whether it was free or chargeable, and the estimated number of attendees:

if you are in a School – your Director of Operations or Deputy Dean (R&E) / equivalent
if you are in a Professional Service – please contact Julie Northam in the Research Development Unit

The data returned is used by HEFCE to allocate the HEIF funding so it is important that we return as accurate a picture as possible.

August 23, 2012

Engagement vs. Dissemination

Public engagement Naomi Kay

Having just come into post as the Events Co-Ordinator for BU’s Festival of Learning I am just being introduced to the concept of public engagement, and Eric Jensen’s recent podcast on “Public Engagement and the Public Understanding of Science” was an enlightening listen on what public engagement is, and why it is so important.

Jensen starts by telling us about how the idea of public engagement came about from public understanding of science, and how it spread across several other academic disciplines such as the social sciences and humanities. He also tells us about the implications of this change, how events such as public lectures are only focused outwards whereas engagement events need to have inward input as well. This message is at the heart of the upcoming Festival of Learning as well as smaller events such as Café Scientifique Bournemouth being launched this October by colleagues from BU and AECC.

Another key point mentioned is the importance of evaluation and assessment. Evaluation and reflection are how we learn so should be applied to every situation in order to improve for the future. Asking yourself questions about the events being hosted, for example “Is this event cost effective and sustainable?” or perhaps “Could I engage more people more effectively through a different style of event?” are simple ways to assess what you’re doing and make sure the events are a worthwhile use of time and resources!

As public engagement becomes more and more important, with it now featuring as an aspect to be considered in research funding applications, it becomes vital to use engagement funding creatively and efficiently to provide interesting events as a forum for debate, discussion and interaction with those from all walks of society.

If you’d like to learn more about the development of public engagement activities around your research please contact Becca Edwards.

October 24, 2011

Have you been involved with an event designed for the external community?

Guidance, Research assessment Julie Northam

Then we want to hear from you! 🙂

The University is currently compiling the data for the annual Higher Education – Business & Community Interaction survey (HE-BCI) due to be submitted to HESA in December.

We are asked to submit details of social, cultural and community events designed for the external community (to include both free and chargeable events) which took place between 1 August 2010 and 31 July 2011.

Event types that should be returned include:

public lectures
performance arts (dance, drama, music, etc)
exhibitions
museum education
events for schools and community groups
business breakfasts

We cannot return events such as open days, Student Union activity, commercial conferences, etc.

If you have been involved with an event which could be returned, please could you let your contact (see below) know the event name and date, whether it was free or chargeable, and the estimated number of attendees:

if you are in a School – your Director of Operations or Deputy Dean (R&E) / equivalent
if you are in a Professional Service – please contact Julie Northam in the Research Development Unit

The data returned is used by HEFCE to allocate the HEIF funding so it is important that we return as accurate a picture as possible.

Tagged / public events

Have you been involved in an event for the external community? Deadline soon!

Click here to add your events

Have you been involved with an event for the external community?

Click here to add your events

Have you been involved with an event for the external community?

Click here to add your events

Festival of Learning 2015– what could you do? A comedy evening?

Festival of Learning 2015 – what could you do? A FACT OR FICTION style event?

Why not get involved in the British Science Festival 2014?

Professor Iain MacRury: The Inner World of Doctor Who – Cafe Scientifique! Tuesday, 5 November

Have you been involved with an event designed for the external community?

Engagement vs. Dissemination

Have you been involved with an event designed for the external community?

Other services

Don’t miss a post!

Recent posts

Search by Category

Research Information Network

UKRI

Tagged / public events

Other services

Don’t miss a post!

Recent posts

Search by Category

Search by popular post topics