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

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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.

Celebrating public engagement

Join the Public Engagement Unit on Friday 21 May 2021, 1-2pm at Engage: Public Engagement in Practice 2021 to celebrate the public engagement achievements of colleagues from right across the University.

If you have an activity or project you'd like to showcase as part of Engage 2021 we'd love to hear from you.

Find out more about how to submit your public engagement project

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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.

Engage Grants Innovate Fund - call now open

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The Public Engagement Unit is looking to fund projects, up to £5,000 each, that explore engagement in a way that embraces both online and ‘in-person’ methods.

Royal Society of Chemistry Small Grants Outreach Fund

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Funding for projects up to £5,000 to run chemistry-based public and schools engagement activities. Deadline: Tuesday 6 April 2021.

Being Human Festival Small and Hub Awards

Funding is available to take part in the Being Human festival. Awards for £2000 - £5000 are available. Deadline: 3 May

STFC Public Engagement Spark Award

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Fund for public engagement activities with astronomy, solar and planetary science and particle physics. Deadline Thursday 6 May 4pm, 2021.

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.

Working in Partnership Training Course

This course will help researchers develop the skills to create and maintain effective partnerships with others. 14 May, 2-4.30.

BIG Science Communication Socials

BIG’s Sci Comm Socials are a regular social gathering of people who work in, or are interested in, science communication, outreach or public engagement in STEM.

Science Communication Building Blocks: Engaging Participants in Online and Blended Environments

Join UWE Bristol’s Science Communication Unit for a three-part online training session to improve your confidence, knowledge and enjoyment of online engagement.

Online 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. March - September.

Exploring Interdisciplinary Public Engagement workshop

Join the NCCPE and the University of Oxford to discuss what interdisciplinary public engagement is, and where we would like to take it next. 14 April.

BIG STEM Communicators Conference - call for session proposals

Apply to share your expertise and knowledge with the BIG STEM communicators community by proposing sessions. Deadline 10 May

Engagement opportunities

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

Get involved in community radio

Morning Connections is a new broadcast magazine show on Soundart community radio where communities are in control. Find out more about how to get involved.

Share your research at the Festival of Nature 2021

Create a pre-recorded audio / video clip or give a live interview / talk about your research for the Festival of Nature 2021.

I'm a Scientist: online STEM engagement

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Researchers and technicians invited to help students stay connected with STEM, their teachers and their classmates using this online STEM engagement activity.

Enter the Bristol Science Film Festival

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This annual competition is open to amateur and experienced film makers to submit science films less than ten minutes long. Deadline 1 May 2021.

Get involved in the Being Human Festival 2021

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The call is open for activities to participate in the Being Human Festival. Deadline 28 June

Take Part in the Global Science Show - Disabled in STEM

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Take part in a virtual science festival, encouraging scientists to showcase STEM through videos, images and more on Twitter. Friday 9 April.

Celebrating your public engagement achievements

If you're looking for recognition for your public engagement work, check out the award schemes run by the Public Engagement Unit and other organisations.

Institute of Physics Awards

The IOP Awards celebrate excellence in physics including outreach and public engagement. Deadline: 23 April.

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.

Engage Grants Innovate Fund - call now open

The Public Engagement Unit is looking to fund projects, up to £5,000 each, that explore engagement in a way that embraces both online and ‘in-person’ methods.

FUTURES festival returns for 2021

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The FUTURES engagement festival is back for another year as part of European Researchers’ Night after securing funding from the European Commission.

Take part in the Public Engagement Showcase

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Do you have engagement activities you want to share? Submit your work to the Public Engagement Showcase taking place on Friday 21 May.

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.

Viewpoints: Bringing Water Research to Life

Young people using nets to sample invertebrate life on the River Avon

A collaborative engagement project with the Natural History Consortium and researchers at the University of Bath exploring water quality across the River Avon.

ChallengeCPD@Bath

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

Community Matters

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

FUTURES: European Researchers' Night

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A Festival of Discovery that showcases and engages 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.