What is public engagement and why does it matter?

And what can universities do to support it better?

Paul MannersDirector, National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement

WHAT IS PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT?

What is public engagement?

Public engagement describes the myriad of ways in which the activity and benefits of

higher education and research can be shared with the public.

Engagement is by definition a two-way process, involving

interaction and listening, with the goal of generating mutual

benefit.

WHO ARE THE ‘PUBLIC’?

Communities of interest

Communities of place

Community organisations and

societies

Voluntary organisations and

charities

NGOs

Social enterprises

Businesses

Cultural and leisure services

Regional / national govt

Schools, colleges and lifelong learning

Local authorities / strategic bodies

Potential stakeholders or partners

Health and well being agencies

Communities of interest

Communities of place

Community organisations and

societies

Voluntary organisations and

charities

NGOs

Social enterprises

Businesses

Cultural and leisure services

Regional / national govt

Schools, colleges and lifelong learning

Local authorities / strategic bodies

Potential stakeholders or partners

The ‘general public’

‘Civil society’

‘Public sector ‘

Health and well being agencies

Communities of interest

Communities of place

Community organisations and

societies

Voluntary organisations and

charities

NGOs

Social enterprises

Businesses

Cultural and leisure services

Regional / national govt

Schools, colleges and lifelong learning

Local authorities / strategic bodies

Potential stakeholders or partners

Public engagement

Community engagement

Health and well being agencies

Civic engagement

Business engagement

WHAT KINDS OF ACTIVITIES ARE INVOLVED?

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT WITH RESEARCHActively involving the public in the research

activity of the institution

• Collaborative research projects• Co-produced research with the public helping to

shape the research design and/or delivery• Supporting the development of community-based

researchers • Seeking insight or advice to inform future activity

The engaged university

KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE & SHARINGIncreasing the two-way flow of

knowledge and insight between the university and wider society

• Communicating research activity and outcomes

• Contributing to regional and national policy development

• Offering consultancy and CPD for community organisations

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT WITH RESEARCHActively involving the public in the research

activity of the institution

• Collaborative research projects• Co-produced research with the public helping to

shape the research design and/or delivery• Supporting the development of community-based

researchers • Seeking insight or advice to inform future activity

The engaged university

KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE & SHARINGIncreasing the two-way flow of

knowledge and insight between the university and wider society

• Communicating research activity and outcomes

• Contributing to regional and national policy development

• Offering consultancy and CPD for community organisations

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT WITH RESEARCHActively involving the public in the research

activity of the institution

• Collaborative research projects• Co-produced research with the public helping to

shape the research design and/or delivery• Supporting the development of community-based

researchers • Seeking insight or advice to inform future activity

ENGAGED TEACHINGDeveloping teaching activities which

positively impact on the community, and enhance students’ engagement skills

• Supporting lifelong learning and community capacity building

• Teaching engagement skills• Raising aspirations of young people

• Service (or ‘community-based’) learning

The engaged university

KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE & SHARINGIncreasing the two-way flow of

knowledge and insight between the university and wider society

• Communicating research activity and outcomes

• Contributing to regional and national policy development

• Offering consultancy and CPD for community organisations

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT WITH RESEARCHActively involving the public in the research

activity of the institution

• Collaborative research projects• Co-produced research with the public helping to

shape the research design and/or delivery• Supporting the development of community-based

researchers • Seeking insight or advice to inform future activity

ENGAGED TEACHINGDeveloping teaching activities which

positively impact on the community, and enhance students’ engagement skills

• Supporting lifelong learning and community capacity building

• Teaching engagement skills• Raising aspirations of young people

• Service (or ‘community-based’) learning

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITYSeeking to maximise the benefits that the

institution can generate for the public

• Opening up facilities and campus to the public• Investing in partnerships and infrastructure to

support collaboration with civic society• Staff and student volunteering to support the

community

The engaged university

WHAT PURPOSES CAN IT SERVE?

INFORMING

Inspiring, informing and educating the public, and making the work of HE more accessible

CONSULTING

Actively listening to the public’s views, concerns and

insights

COLLABORATING

Working in partnership with the public to solve problems together, drawing on each other’s expertise

HOW CAN UNIVERSITIES SUPPORT PE MORE EFFECTIVELY?

What’s the problem?

This initiative aims to create a culture within UK Higher Education where public engagement is formalised and embedded as a valued and recognised activity for staff at all levels, and for students.

Funded by the UK Funding Councils, Research Councils UK and the Wellcome Trust

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT UNIT

Manchester Beaconconnecting people, place & knowledge

The importance of public engagement“It’s difficult to say because it almost comes into a different category because it is not part of my job description or one of the measures against which I think I will ever be measured…it’s more like deciding do I want to go for a run today? It’s something I enjoy and it’s important but I don’t really see it as a part of my paid job” (Senior Researcher)

CUE East baseline study

KEY FINDINGS RESPONSE

84% involved, but lack of a shared understanding.

Devise a ‘working’ typology.

PE not as important as research and teaching and for some, admin.

New promotions criteria links PE to teaching & research.

Lack of strategic support New UEA Corporate Plan with Engagement a priority.

Very little recording happening & no institutional mechanism in place

‘Engagement Tracker’ developed

PE is not rewarded in any formal way.

New promotions criteria and individual awards.

Evaluation of PE is minimal. Advice to individuals & projects on evaluation.

SENSE OF PURPOSE: An engaged university has embedded a

commitment to public engagement in its institutional mission and strategy, and

champions that commitment at all levels

PEOPLEInvolving staff, students and representatives of the

public and using their energy, expertise and feedback to shape the strategy and its delivery,

focussing on:- Staff

- Students- Public

SENSE OF PURPOSE: An engaged university has embedded a

commitment to public engagement in its institutional mission and strategy, and

champions that commitment at all levels

MISSION

Create a shared understanding of the purpose, value, meaning and role of public engagement to staff and students and embed this in your strategy and mission.

LEADERSHIP Support champions across the organisation who embrace public engagement

COMMUNICATION

Communicate consistent, clear messages to validate, support and celebrate it, and ensure open and two-way communication with members of the public and community organisations.

SUPPORT:An engaged university is investing in systems and processes that facilitate involvement and learning, recognise

achievement and evaluate impact and value for money

SUPPORT:An engaged university is investing in systems and processes that facilitate involvement and learning, recognise

achievement and evaluate impact and value for money

REWARDRecognise and reward staff involvement within recruitment, promotion, workload plans and performance reviews, and celebrate success with awards or prizes.

SUPPORTCo-ordinate the delivery of public engagement to maximise efficiency, target support, improve quality, foster innovation, join up thinking and monitor involvement and impact.

LEARNING Provide opportunities for learning and reflection and provide support for continuing professional development and training

PEOPLE:An engaged university Involving staff, students and representatives of the

public and using their energy, expertise and feedback to shape the strategy

and its delivery

PEOPLE:An engaged university Involving staff, students and representatives of the

public and using their energy, expertise and feedback to shape the strategy

and its delivery

STAFFEnsure that all staff – in academic and support roles – have opportunities to get involved in informal and formal ways.

STUDENTSProactively include and involve students in shaping the mission and in the delivery of the strategy, and maximise opportunities for their involvement.

PUBLICInvest in people, processes and infrastructure to support and nurture the involvement of individuals and organisations external to the HEI

MISSION Create a shared understanding of the purpose, value, meaning and role of public engagement to staff and students and embed this in your strategy and mission.

LEADERSHIP Support champions across the organisation who embrace public engagement

COMMUNICATION Communicate consistent, clear messages to validate, support and celebrate it, and ensure open and two-way communication with members of the public and community organisations.

Focal points purpose

REWARD Recognise and reward staff involvement within recruitment, promotion, workload plans and performance reviews, and celebrate success with awards or prizes.

SUPPORT Co-ordinate the delivery of public engagement to maximise efficiency, target support, improve quality, foster innovation, join up thinking and monitor involvement and impact.

LEARNING Provide opportunities for learning and reflection and provide support for continuing professional development and training

process

STAFF Ensure that all staff – in academic and support roles – have opportunities to get involved in informal and formal ways.

STUDENTS Proactively include and involve students in shaping the mission and in the delivery of the strategy, and maximise opportunities for their involvement.

PUBLIC Invest in people, processes and infrastructure to support and nurture the involvement of individuals and organisations external to the HEI

people

LEARNING

Focus Embedding

Support for informal development

Informal mechanisms exist to share information about PE. Regular events aimed at different levels are organised by dedicated staff. People are keen to share experience and honest about failures. Individuals from outside organisations are actively involved.

Building formal support into CPD programmes

The institution has clear definitions of both PE and the skills or attributes required to do it. Individuals are supported to take a strategic and reflective approach to CPD in PE. Research groups are supported to develop a PE strategy which draws on different people’s strengths, skills and interests. Training is evaluated and is of high quality. The institution supports a network of PE training providers.

Opportunities for learning

Training and development is linked to skills and opportunities to apply those skills. A reflective approach is encouraged and supported.

Infrastructure to support learning

Posts which include a remit to co-ordinate PE activities are dispersed throughout the institution. Regular meetings support a ‘joined-up’ rather than ‘top-down’ approach to co-ordination. There is significant investment in infrastructure to support CPD in PE which is evaluated for effectiveness. Information about professional development opportunities is linked to skills.

WHAT SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES ARE INVOLVED?

Communication- You adapt your communication for different audiences- You have a robust knowledge of the topic in question- You listen and respond carefully and value other people's contributions- You find out about & build on your audience's knowledge & understanding

Empathy- You are sensitive to issues of diversity and inclusion- You respect differences in understanding and attitudes- You are sensitive to social and ethical issues- You have the capacity to build and sustain effective partnerships

Reflection- You welcome feedback- You reflect on your own practice and learn from it- You evaluate your activity - You recognise when to seek advice

or support

THE CASE FOR PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

UK research organisations have a strategic commitment to public engagement Researchers are recognised and valued for their involvement with public engagement activities. Researchers are enabled to participate in public engagement activities through appropriate training, support and opportunities.The signatories and supporters of this Concordat will undertake regular reviews of their and the wider research sector’s progress in fostering public engagement across the UK.