Public Engagement

Raising Public Awareness of Science & Innovation

Who (or what) encouraged you to study science or engineering? Was it a single individual (perhaps a teacher) or a group? Were you inspired as a result of hearing about a new discovery or innovation through the media? Would you like to help inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers?

Raising public awareness and engagement in science and innovation involves schools, scientific researchers, and the general public. The UK Research Councils place particular emphasis on this kind of activity and in 2005 created the Science in Society Unit to act as a hub for information and advice.

The Graduate School encourages all research students to engage in activities which help raise public awareness of science. The course on Science Communication offered as part of the Generic & Transferable Skills Programme is an excellent starting point.

Activities in Aberdeen

• The University's Public Engagement with Research Unit which supports staff and students wishing to connect their research to the public. The unit is of a wide network supportive of public engagement working closely with research councils and the national co-coordinating centre for public engagement.

• TechFest-SetPoint - A charitable organisation which aims to inspire young people about Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

• Satrosphere Science Centre - Scotland’s first science and discovery centre, based in Aberdeen. Satrosphere's exhibits offer interactive ways for visitors to discover more about the world around them and the science of how things work.

UK Research Councils

The Research Councils have developed a number of activities and resources to help anyone from the research community who wants to involve the public in the work that they do:

• Beacons for Public Engagement - Major initiative to help support public engagement and share knowledge across the community, from arts and humanities to particle physics.

• Linking with Schools - Details of schemes which create links between schools and researchers.

• Guides and Advice - Best practice guides to help you set up and evaluate your projects.