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 the University of Bath

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

Why public engagement matters

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

Engaging public groups with your research

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

Images of Research 2023

The Images of Research Competition is now open for 2023.

Images of Research 2023 is a competition and exhibition for University of Bath staff to use visual imagery and a simple short description to tell people about their research and its benefits to society.

Open to academic, research and technical staff as well as professional services staff who input on research.

Find out more about Images of Research and how to enter.

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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.

Royal College of Pathologists Public Engagement Grant Scheme

Grants of up to £1,000 are available for anyone who wishes to develop pathology-related public engagement activities. Deadline1 July 2023.

Growing Roots Environmental Science Public Engagement Funding

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Apply for £3000-£10,000 to explore, and trial approaches for engaging the public with environmental science. Deadline: 27 March

Being Human Small and Hub Awards

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Small awards of £3000 and hub awards of £8000 are available for activities that demonstrate how the humanities benefit our everyday lives. Deadline: 28 April

Engagement Opportunities

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

Share your research at a Science Café

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A Science Café focuses on informal group discussion where participants can explore your research, ask questions and give their thoughts. February onwards.

Take part in the Being Human Festival

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Being Human invites researchers to collaborate with local community and cultural partners to create exciting and engaging events. Deadline Friday 23 June

European Research Showcase

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The European Research Showcase invites researchers in any discipline to highlight their work in this social media-based engagement event on the 28 / 29 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.

Science Filmmaking Courses

Taught by an ex-BBC science documentary filmmaker, these courses give you the skills to make and promote engaging films about research. April, June and Autumn.

Webinar: How can the public help shape our research and policy future?

This webinar from UKRI will explore the role of public dialogue at different stages in the research and policy cycle. 22 March.

DICE Masterclass on Patient and Public Involvement

This masterclass will give you the chance to learn from experts in patient and public involvement and hear from public contributors. 27 March, Derby.

Celebrating public engagement

Find out more about the Vice-Chancellor's Engage Awards and meet some of the people carrying out high-quality public engagement with their research at the University.

NERC Impact Awards

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The NERC Impact Awards champion the impact of research from the NERC-funded environmental science community on our everyday lives. Deadline: 21 April, 2023.

The Beetlestone Award

The Beetlestone Award aims to recognise leaders in the field of informal science learning. Deadline: 1 May.

Blogs from the Public Engagement Unit

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

Six projects successful in the latest Engage Grants funding call

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Public engagement activities looking at the history of 'Swimming Suffragettes' and co-creating a PPI group on ovarian cancer are among the projects funded.

Zero ‘Public Engagement’ in REF 2028?

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It's time to get rid of the term ‘Public Engagement' for REF2028 and be more specific about the activities we carry out to highlight their impact.

Meaningful citizen involvement in research?

Three white people seated around a table in discussion, one female and two males.

There has been a recent shift in emphasis on how research and society should interact. But is this change sustainable and will it have the desired effects?

Public Engagement Unit projects

Discover more about the Public Engagement Unit's projects and initiatives to embed a positive culture of public engagement with research at the University of Bath.

Engaged360@Bath

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Embedding a positive culture of public engagement with research at the University of Bath.

ChallengeCPD@Bath

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Investigating the provision, uptake and impact of training and professional development opportunities for researchers in public engagement.

ParticipatoryResearch@Bath

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Investigating the culture of participatory co-produced research at the University of Bath.

Community Matters

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A collaborative project between community organisations and University of Bath researchers to undertake community-based participatory research.

FUTURES: A Festival of Discovery

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A festival showcasing and engaging people across the South West of England with the region's research and innovation.

A Field Guide to Public Engagement and Culture Change

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An interactive tool sharing the approach the Public Engagement Unit takes to embedding a culture of public engagement with research at the University of Bath.

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.