Understanding Engagement: How to communicate your research to the public

Overview

The Microbiology Society held its first public engagement training day that equipped people with the basics of how to effectively communicate science alongside their day jobs. Our facilitator on the day was Helen Featherstone, joint Head of the University of Bath's Public Engagement Unit.

This event took place from 09:30–17:30, 21 October 2015, at Charles Darwin House, 12 Roger Street, London WC1N 2JU.

Approved by the Royal Society of Biology for purposes of CPD, this event may be counted as 21 CPD credits.

What to expect

Participants heard from microbiologists at all stages of their careers who successfully juggle their research with public engagement activities, from citizen science to art projects, book clubs to designing games, and also engaging with the next generation of microbiologists via work in schools. The day was interactive and guided participants from the beginning to the end of a public engagement activity: building from ‘why engage the public?’ to developing an activity for a chosen public to finally evaluating the activities to make the most of them in appraisals and REF returns. 

Agenda

Some of the key items that was covered include:

• What is public engagement? Who counts as the public?
• Which method of public engagement suits me?
• What is the best way to evaluate my activities?
• How can I provide evidence of my activities in the REF?

At the end of the training, all attendees had the opportunity to see (and perhaps even join in with) some live public engagement, as comedian and public engagement guru Dr Steve Cross hosts a special edition of Science Showoff in a local venue.

Who should attend

Early career researchers with an interest in communicating their science to the public. Tickets for this event are limited and so are exclusively available to Society members.

Venue and directions

This event will took place 09:30–17:30, 21 October 2015, at the Society's offices at Charles Darwin House.

Charles Darwin House
12 Roger Street
London
WC1N 2JU

Directions

By rail

The nearest rail stations are:

• Farringdon (0.8 miles)
• Kings Cross (1.1 miles)
• Euston (1.3 miles)

By tube

The nearest underground stations are:

• Chancery Lane (0.4 miles, Central line)
• Russell Square (0.5 miles, Piccadilly line)
• Holborn (0.6 miles, Central and Piccadilly line)
• Farringdon (0.8 miles, Circle, Metropolitan and Hammersmith & City line)
• Kings Cross (1.1 miles, Northern, Victoria, Piccadilly, Circle, Metropolitan and Hammersmith & City line)
• Euston (1.3 miles, Northern and Victoria line)

By bus

The following bus routes serve Theobalds Road:

• 19 (Finsbury Park Interchange – Battersea Bridge/Hester Road)
• 38 (Clapton Pond – Victoria bus station)
• 55 (Lea Bridge Road/Bakers Arms – Oxford Circus)
• 243 (Redvers Road – Waterloo Station/Mepham Street)

The following bus routes serve Grays Inn Road:

• 17 (Archway Station/Junction Road – London Bridge Station)
• 45 (St Pancras International Station – Atkins Road/New Park Road)
• 46 (Lancaster Gate Station  – Stonecutter Street)

By car

You are advised to use public transport where possible, as there is a limited amount of on-street metered parking space available on Roger Street and North Mews. The nearest car park facilities are London Saffron Hill, EC1N 8XA and 12 Farringdon Road, EC1M 3JB.

Tickets

Registration for this event is now closed.

Tickets will cost £25.00 and are available to members only. If you are not currently a member of the Microbiology Society, the cost of a year’s membership + attendance is £58, opening up several other member-only benefits, such as eligibility for grant applications and reduced conference attendance rates. Find out how to join the Society here. You will need to become a member by 14 October to be eligible to register for the training day.

Travel Grants

Members attending this event can apply for up to £100 to cover the cost of travel to and from the meeting. View the information page for details on how to apply.

Not a Society member? Find out how to join the Society.

Science Showoff

Tickets for the evening event are no longer available.