Public Engagement Unit

We facilitate public engagement for our research students and staff to build links with the public.

Public engagement with research

Find out more about what public engagement is, why it matters, how it can benefit you and your research and how to start engaging public groups with your research.

Public engagement at Bath

A presenter talking about public engagement in front of an audience seated at tables

How we define public engagement with research, our approach and how support staff to engage public groups with their work.

Why public engagement matters

A participant seated around a table talking to others in their group during a training session

Find out about the benefits of public engagement to you, your research and public groups outside the University.

Engaging public groups with your research

A researcher engaging people around a table with a board game he made about his research

A quick-start how-to guide to engaging public groups with your research.

Funding for public engagement

If you have an idea for a public engagement with research activity these funding calls could help make it happen. Find out more about the current funding opportunities available from the Public Engagement Unit and other funding organisations.

Physiology Society Outreach Grants

Four female students standing together with equipment

The Physiology Society is offering funds for activities that increase understanding of physiology. Deadlines 31 January (up to £20,000) & all year (under £500).

Institute of Physics in Wales Outreach Fund

A physics researcher sharing their work with a group of teenagers around a table with equipment he is using to demo his work.

The Institute of Physics in Wales is offering grants of up to £750 to run physics-based events and activities in Wales. Deadline open all year.

Waterloo Foundation: Child Development Dissemination Funding

Grants of up to £10,000 are available to support dissemination and activities related to children and their carers. Deadline: February and June.

London Mathematical Society Education Grants

Grants of £600 - £800 to stimulate interest and enable involvement in mathematics . Deadline: 31 January and 30 April.

Public engagement training and learning opportunities

Develop your public engagement knowledge and skills with these training opportunities and learning resources from the Public Engagement Unit and other organisations.

A Guide to Speaking with Humans: Webinar

A free Webinar from Astrophysicist Paul Sutter exploring how to strategically communicate science and identify audiences. January 25, 3 - 4:30pm

Science Communication Seminar Series: Power and Knowledge

Anna Starkey Creative Director of We The Curious will be hosting a seminar on Power and Knowledge - do we need a sci comm rebellion for a new decade? 17 January

Speak up for Food Security

The Global Food Security programme’s annual research storytelling competition. Featuring a 2 day research story masterclass. Deadline 26 January.

Connected Communities Research Programme Book Launch

You are invited to a book launch exploring the Connected Communities Research Project. 28 January.

Science Busking Training for Cardiff Science Festival

The Institute of Physics, together with Cardiff Science Festival, will hold a free workshop about science busking on 5 February.

Barriers to Access in Science Communication and Public Engagement

This free seminar will explore the different barriers affecting of people in science communication and public engagement. 30 January.

Engagement opportunities

Put your public engagement skills into practice with these engagement opportunities run by the Public Engagement Unit and other organisations.

Enter the Bristol Science Film Competition

Two filmmakers looking at an object in the distance

The 2020 Bristol Science Film Competition is now open for filmmakers, regardless of experience on any science fact or fiction theme. Deadline 1 May 2020.

Noël Turner Science Festival: open call for workshops

A student attending the Noël Turner Science Festival

The Noël Turner Science Festival is a 2-day celebration aiming to spark curiosity and raise awareness of STEM for students on the Isle of Wight. 6 & 7 February

Call for Exhibits and Activities for the NERC Public Engagement Showcase 2020

A public engagement activity from NERC's 2017 annual showcase

NERC is offering an opportunity for researchers to run public engagement activities as part of their annual showcase. Deadline 30 January.

Women Into Heritage Engineering: Volunteering Position

The volunteer team at Crofton Beam Engines

Crofton Beam Engines is offering four 3-month placements with all expenses paid. Deadline 31 January.

Famelab 2020 Applications are open

FameLab is an international science communication competition, designed to train and mentor scientists and engineers in public engagement. Deadline: 28 February

Einstein's Garden Accepting Applications

Green Man's curious and wacky science engagement area, Einstein's Garden, is now open for applications for stalls and performances. Deadline: 6 March.

Find inspiration

If you're interested in engaging public groups with your research and need inspiration, discover the different engagement methods used by researchers at the University.

Engagement methods: knowledge exchange

Benefits of the knowledge exchange engagement method, with case studies from researchers who've used it to engage public groups.

Engagement methods: practice-based research

Benefits of the practice-based engagement method, with case studies from researchers who've used it to engage public groups.

Engagement methods: co-production

Benefits of co-producing work with public groups as an engagement method, with case studies from researchers who've used it.

Engagement methods: consulting with industry

Benefits of the consulting with industry for public engagement, with case studies, research and blogs from researchers who've used this method.

Blogs from the Public Engagement Unit

Keep up-to-date with our latest work and thinking about public engagement from the Public Engagement Unit.

FUTURES: European Researchers' Night 2019

A researcher taking a selfie with visitors to the Holburne Museum.

FUTURES 2019 was a collaboration between the Univesrity of Bath, Bristol and Bath Spa University to engage the local community with research and innovation.

Science in Radstock – a lesson in public engagement from a chemical engineer

Researcher Jon Noble presenting in front of a screen at a local organisation

Jon Noble, from the Centre for Sustainable and Circular Technologies, shares his experience taking part in Science at Radstock.

Engage 2019: Why do we run public engagement awards?

The introduction slide for a conference session entitled 'why do we run public engagement awards?'

The Public Engagement Unit attended the Engage 2019 conference to discuss how we reward and recognise public engagement with research.

Manifesto for Public Engagement

The University of Bath is a signatory to the Manifesto for Public Engagement. Developed by the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement, the Manifesto outlines the three principles that support a positive culture of public engagement.

Find out about the University of Bath's commitments as a signatory to the Manifesto for Public Engagement.

About us

We facilitate high-quality public engagement for staff and students, building mutually beneficial links between our research and the public. We build and sustain institutional capacity for public engagement and aim to support researchers from all disciplines whatever their level of expertise.

Our work covers opportunities for researchers to; develop their skills, practice and understanding of public engagement and be recognised and rewarded for their public engagement work.

Contact us

Get in touch if you have any questions about our services.