In March, I heard that I would be attending the Engage Researchers’ Academy for this coming academic year. It’s:
a year long professional development programme for researchers with a passion for public engagement. The programme creates a challenging but supportive environment for delegates to reflect upon what it means to be an engaged researcher, and to explore the quality and value of engagement. It aims to equip participants with understanding, skills and practical experience to enhance the impact of their engagement and to become leaders in engaged research.
On 5/6 June, we had our first sessions, and here’s the main tweets from the course (and note that the majority of delegates were women, which probably says a lot about how far public engagement is valued in universities … so I’m glad some energy is being pumped into it):
The Evening Before:
We had to come with a poster prepared for introductions and discussions first thing in the morning – I hadn’t had time to prepare/print one, so 2 pieces of A4 stuck together with address labels and a random selection of Sharpie colours to describe a public engagement project had been involved in:
and for my own reference, my Basecamp response.
Day 1
I’m nearly in Bristol for #ERA1819 https://t.co/dDwApfybSZ – really looking forward to it. #PublicEngagement. First long-distance, full on piece of work since last summer! #CancerLife – keep calm and carry on!
— Dr Bex Lewis (@drbexl) June 4, 2018
Why public engagement? It’s about commonalities/connections for humans. Universities are publicly funded – so should be sharing. Public can shape and learn from research. #ERA1819 pic.twitter.com/7yiy2TdcRm
— Dr Bex Lewis (@drbexl) June 5, 2018
Doesn’t have to be research first (hurrah for me) … can do impact and then research that looks at that. Need to impact value of #publicengagement quite a challenge. #ERA1819
— Dr Bex Lewis (@drbexl) June 5, 2018
The importance of cultural change in universities to recognise the value of #publicengagement. Note in room = gender imbalance needs addressing – is PE seen as a ‘soft skill’ and ‘not as valuable’ or are things changing? #ERA1819
— Dr Bex Lewis (@drbexl) June 5, 2018
Yes, it’s pretty much what I’ve done so far!!! Now bids are increasingly working towards impact/engagement embedded rather than tacked on the end. #ERA1819 Tide turning slowly …
— Dr Bex Lewis (@drbexl) June 5, 2018
Knowledge exchange framework – going to be metrics rather than nuanced- but awaiting next phase of consultatation. #ERA1819
— Dr Bex Lewis (@drbexl) June 5, 2018
We’re at @NCCPE #ERA1819 – thinking about why public engagement, media and public engagement, and leadership in public engagement … pic.twitter.com/g1csYU6m7V
— Dr Bex Lewis (@drbexl) June 5, 2018
What purposes does engagement serve to you? #ERA1819 pic.twitter.com/1BqKJWbRNP
— BilingMattersReading (@BMReading) June 5, 2018
Our group’s purpose cards diamond nine. Do you agree? What else would you add? #ERA1819 pic.twitter.com/nJYs5Uq3WL
— BilingMattersReading (@BMReading) June 5, 2018
What does Public Engagement mean to you? #era1819 pic.twitter.com/hQkxbqbdjh
— Claire Donald (@claireldonald) June 5, 2018
At Engage Researcher’s Academy, reflecting on 9 purposes for a publicly engaged research process #ERA1819 pic.twitter.com/C0XitZyK3R
— Liv Rezende (@Liv_Rezende) June 5, 2018
What purposes does #engagement serve to us? Inspiring morning @NCCPE Engaged Researcher’s Academy working with STEM researchers, social scientists, historians & film makers ?? #ERA1819 pic.twitter.com/65HpkFBiCw
— Beatriz Goulao (@beagoulao) June 5, 2018
Just listened to this table explain their adapted listings #ERA1819 https://t.co/RXKmrnOY6l
— Dr Bex Lewis (@drbexl) June 5, 2018
Why do we do #publicengagement? So many good reasons – having to whittle these down to our top 9 at #ERA1819 pic.twitter.com/IF8EQRETFS
— Emma Bridges (@emmabridges) June 5, 2018
Our @beagoulao is part of the first cohort of researchers in the @NCCPE Engaged Researcher’s Academy meeting today and tomorrow in Bristol #ERA1819
— HSRU (@hsru_aberdeen) June 5, 2018
Next exercise for #ERA1819 next exercise – X-Factor style – evidence from Posters (not written with these criteria in mind) – what criteria do you think defines quality #publicengagement pic.twitter.com/IvErmtzs2s
— Dr Bex Lewis (@drbexl) June 5, 2018
Co-development of research: build trust, be transparent, ethical and have fun! #ERA1819 pic.twitter.com/kzFow7hhQV
— Liv Rezende (@Liv_Rezende) June 5, 2018
Which are the most important factors? #ERA1819 pic.twitter.com/GWPrptrzej
— Dr Bex Lewis (@drbexl) June 5, 2018
Great feedback on my poster. Really useful to think about all the different things that go into great PE activities @NCCPE #era1819 pic.twitter.com/wddK79LFNl
— Claire Donald (@claireldonald) June 5, 2018
Important factors in good quality #publicengagement with @NCCPE #era1819 pic.twitter.com/9o8Haa69BL
— Dr Bex Lewis (@drbexl) June 5, 2018
#ERA1819 – useful to see examples to trigger off ideas as to what is possible for #publicengagement pic.twitter.com/3VdYoE9h0b
— Dr Bex Lewis (@drbexl) June 5, 2018
Evidence impact strategically … don’t evidence everything … #era1819
— Dr Bex Lewis (@drbexl) June 5, 2018
How do you plan in evidencing impact from the beginning of planning a bid etc.?! #epa1819 Hanging on in there energy wise with excellent @NCCPE event. pic.twitter.com/FWR9OHkIw2
— Dr Bex Lewis (@drbexl) June 5, 2018
Thinking about #publicengagement activities that didn’t really work … would thinking through the @NCCPE quality structure help? #ERA1819 pic.twitter.com/2hhs5SQkzh
— Dr Bex Lewis (@drbexl) June 5, 2018
We had quite a big discussion about how focused the ‘purpose’ should be, and where it gives space for learning what might be useful by doing? #ERA1819 There needs to be an over-arching purpose but not something that anticipates the outcome! That @emma_k79 was our convo Sunday!
— Dr Bex Lewis (@drbexl) June 5, 2018
Interesting debate the whether to charge for #publicengagement events … even if it’s a cancellation fee for free events … raises quality in some people’s minds #ERA1819
— Dr Bex Lewis (@drbexl) June 5, 2018
The quality engagement framework from @NCCPE. Have a clear purpose, know your audience and adapt your process to both. Evaluate, always. Sounds so simple, yet so challenging. #ERA1819 pic.twitter.com/5241K1d3at
— Beatriz Goulao (@beagoulao) June 5, 2018
We underestimate the need for agency and leadership in Change (coaching) – #era1819 – also assume that leadership is a formal/certain people thing … but we have lots to learn about leadership from different perspectives.
— Dr Bex Lewis (@drbexl) June 5, 2018
What does leadership mean and why is it important? Heated discussion on what it means to lead at #ERA1819 pic.twitter.com/9qk3mg50A3
— BilingMattersReading (@BMReading) June 5, 2018
How do you define/theorise leadership – there is no one definition? #ERA1819 I like role modelling – #guideontheside not #sageonthestage @NCCPE pic.twitter.com/9pzNnL2WRW
— Dr Bex Lewis (@drbexl) June 5, 2018
Time to go and Stand next to the statements you agree with #ERA1819 – I am def a collaborator but want recognition for work I’ve done! pic.twitter.com/nctlieCign
— Dr Bex Lewis (@drbexl) June 5, 2018
Looking at this model of leadership #ERA1819 https://t.co/lnGfgR7Z5j
— Dr Bex Lewis (@drbexl) June 5, 2018
How do you define/theorise leadership – there is no one definition? #ERA1819 I like role modelling – #guideontheside not #sageonthestage @NCCPE pic.twitter.com/9pzNnL2WRW
— Dr Bex Lewis (@drbexl) June 5, 2018
We underestimate the need for agency and leadership in Change (coaching) – #era1819 – also assume that leadership is a formal/certain people thing … but we have lots to learn about leadership from different perspectives.
— Dr Bex Lewis (@drbexl) June 5, 2018
Interesting debate the whether to charge for #publicengagement events … even if it’s a cancellation fee for free events … raises quality in some people’s minds #ERA1819
— Dr Bex Lewis (@drbexl) June 5, 2018
First challenge for our group: designing a public engagement activity from start to finish. #ERA1819 pic.twitter.com/YfL7AHk4w6
— BilingMattersReading (@BMReading) June 5, 2018
@BMReading and @UniRdg_CeLM are delighted to be there! #ERA1819 #publicengagement https://t.co/GbIKFq4Aao
— Ludovica Serratrice (@ludoserratrice) June 5, 2018
A great first day at the @NCCPE Researcher’s Academy in Bristol, thinking #engagement, leadership & learning. #ERA1819 pic.twitter.com/Fw5Cc5BOZt
— Georgina Binnie (@GeorginaBinnie) June 5, 2018
Day 2
Good morning! Day 2 of #ERA1819 starts with some reflections about what we learned yesterday. pic.twitter.com/fxyNTuFg0P
— BilingMattersReading (@BMReading) June 6, 2018
Back at #ERA1819 day 2 and kicking off the morning with a media engagement masterclass.
— Emma Bridges (@emmabridges) June 6, 2018
Starting our morning with a very exciting session about media impact masterclass @NCCPE #ERA1819 pic.twitter.com/3bDHrPYcs4
— Beatriz Goulao (@beagoulao) June 6, 2018
Creating a story and a relationship with the viewer/listener – media as a dance – connecting with the audience. #Era1819 – power of narrative getting into the public domain … https://t.co/0GwYIwUtsZ
— Dr Bex Lewis (@drbexl) June 6, 2018
Research for All journal: what have we learned so far? | NCCPE https://t.co/FMt3aVkARY
— Dr Bex Lewis (@drbexl) June 5, 2018
Images of Public Engagement 2018 | NCCPE https://t.co/4SCEMxiBej
— Dr Bex Lewis (@drbexl) June 5, 2018
Media impact masterclass at #ERA1819. Academics, don’t give a lecture. Tell a story.
— BilingMattersReading (@BMReading) June 6, 2018
Academics have the responsibility of circulating knowledge to the world – the media is an obvious vehicle #ERA1819 #scicomm #engagement @NCCPE
— Beatriz Goulao (@beagoulao) June 6, 2018
10 mins to try and do a 60 word radio times pitch #Era1819 pic.twitter.com/CCZzDlOfGL
— Dr Bex Lewis (@drbexl) June 6, 2018
Moving beyond stats to look at qualitative evidence into impact – quotes, testimonials … see how to evidence the REF #era1819 pic.twitter.com/PiEKhq0PFJ
— Dr Bex Lewis (@drbexl) June 6, 2018
What makes a good press release? Catchy headline, clear message, reasons why the story is relevant and why now. #ERA1819
— BilingMattersReading (@BMReading) June 6, 2018
80% of TV Watching still happens live. Back in the day (only fools and horses, princess Diana on panorama, etc) was around 20 mil avg figures. BGT now biggest = 6+ million. #Era1819
— Dr Bex Lewis (@drbexl) June 6, 2018
Local radio and TV can be the best way to start broadcasting research. #ERA1819
— BilingMattersReading (@BMReading) June 6, 2018
#era1819 – look up this case study on https://t.co/ghNlmGZ0ah – evidencing the impact – typically by proxy figures pic.twitter.com/oubJu70dhb
— Dr Bex Lewis (@drbexl) June 6, 2018
Working on a pitch for #asteroidwatch – #ERA1819 pic.twitter.com/M5dseuuLUN
— Dr Bex Lewis (@drbexl) June 6, 2018
I think our ‘script’ is a little sketchy but – erm – fun! #era1819 – death, destruction and dinosaurs #asteroidwatch pic.twitter.com/0ljgSCZwnu
— Dr Bex Lewis (@drbexl) June 6, 2018
Second group challenge at #ERA1819: we have 4 minutes to pitch a story to a media platform pic.twitter.com/hXcrWanW59
— BilingMattersReading (@BMReading) June 6, 2018
Just had 20 mins to prep a pitch for a programme idea for the BBC as part of #ERA1819. Highlight of 4min pitch was @GauravGulsin ‘s excellent impression of a dinosaur 😀
— Sarah Roberts (@SarahSwanSAILS) June 6, 2018
Pitching research projects to media experts: how to make research fun & engaging with some great performances #asteroidwatch #ERA1819 @NCCPE pic.twitter.com/w2lop8hqZE
— Beatriz Goulao (@beagoulao) June 6, 2018
If you want to pitch a story to the media – email – short intro – sentence or 2 re research and request 5 mins convos … #era1819
— Dr Bex Lewis (@drbexl) June 6, 2018
Time to do some #reflectivepractice #era1819 pic.twitter.com/gMHoZNCzVa
— Dr Bex Lewis (@drbexl) June 6, 2018
One of the groups pitching their idea for a public engagement activity. #ERA1819 pic.twitter.com/g2MhtxQMcu
— BilingMattersReading (@BMReading) June 6, 2018
We prepared our 3 min pitch for an idea to develop a set of ‘diamond purpose cards’ and cascade training for @MaggiesCentres to help volunteers enable conversations between patients and family/Friends. #ERA1819 #cancerlife – Lots of nodded heads to the idea … pic.twitter.com/YV7PCLjQ2o
— Dr Bex Lewis (@drbexl) June 6, 2018
Getting ready to snuggle into a seat after excellent #era1819 and take next 2 days off #phasedreturn #cancerlife pic.twitter.com/dMrA8gZFub
— Dr Bex Lewis (@drbexl) June 6, 2018
So much to think about after 1st part of @NCCPE #ERA1819. Great bunch of people from across a whole range of disciplines and lots of ideas/expertise to share.
— Emma Bridges (@emmabridges) June 6, 2018
And as well as talking #publicengagement I’ve had chats about, among other things, the history of amusement parks, women in STEM, Welsh-language education, supporting refugee children, fashion branding and reducing meat eating. Academic researchers rock! @NCCPE #ERA1819
— Emma Bridges (@emmabridges) June 6, 2018
Thank you @NCCPE for two great days! See you in October #ERA1819 pic.twitter.com/mpB0jPDNPl
— BilingMattersReading (@BMReading) June 6, 2018
Enjoying some Bristol sun before heading home after 2 packed days at the first @NCCPE #era1819 academy. Looking forward to seeing what the next academy brings when we meet again in October #publicengagement
— Claire Donald (@claireldonald) June 6, 2018
Heh @GauravGulsin – which is better? https://t.co/D9EA7IuZEK #ERA1819
— Dr Bex Lewis (@drbexl) June 6, 2018
Really enjoyed the first part of the @NCCPE Public Engagement Academy in Bristol the past two days. Looking forward to seeing everyone again in October! pic.twitter.com/s9SXwfyb5N
— Christina Potter (@ChristinaPott3r) June 6, 2018
