Since 2018, for two days in the autumn, FUTURES has been an opportunity for people to discover more about the research that is shaping our future with researchers from the region’s universities funded by the European Commission under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions.

Our approach

FUTURES is a public engagement collaboration between the University of Bath, Bath Spa University, University of Bristol, University of Exeter and University of Plymouth. Working together each partner in the consortium works with organisations such as museums, libraries, sports centres and cultural venues to develop engagement activities for researchers to engage people in their city and region.

FUTURES aims to:

• help researchers develop their public engagement skills and expertise

• build on the rich legacy of innovation and cultural heritage in the South West region to showcase current research and the advances brought about by the universities

• create opportunities for public groups to engage with research

• showcase Europe’s leading Marie Skłodowska-Curie (MSC) Fellows working in the South West of England alongside other research also funded by the European Commission

• facilitate greater interaction amongst different areas of research and break down disciplinary barriers

What we did

FUTURES takes research directly to the people. Researchers have been heading out across five counties of the South West into shopping centres, botanic gardens, museums, cathedrals, naval vessels, and the streets to share their work and develop their skill and expertise in public engagement.

Programme of events

The FUTURES team of public engagement professionals from across the consortium have been working with researchers and partner organisations such as museums, libraries, sports centres and cultural venues to develop engagement activities. Since 2018 the team have been pushing the boundaries of programming for public engagement with research, producing a range of experimental and innovative activity formats online and in-person. These have included participatory workshops, hands-on experiments, theatre performance, community radio, science shows, games, quizzes, talks, competitions, and exhibitions.

45,000 people have participated in FUTURES activities meeting 750 researchers since 2018 and have explored diverse research topics including medieval manuscripts, artificial intelligence, microplastics, climate change, and microbial resistance.

These engagement activities have been opportunities for researchers to develop their and expertise in engaging public groups with their research and public engagement skills.

Training programme for researchers

Working with researchers we created a programme of training and professional development opportunities to build their skills and expertise in public engagement with research. This involved:

• co-produced and delivered workshops and masterclasses on science comedy, storytelling, science busking, presentation skills and social media with professional trainers

• paired researchers with experience cultural programme producers and creative professionals to develop engagement activities