New Concordat for Engaging the Public with Research launched

A new Concordat for Engaging the Public with Research will be launched later today (7 December) by the UK’s research funding bodies. The aim of the Concordat is to create a greater focus on and help embed public engagement with research across all disciplines in the higher education and research sectors.

David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Science said: “Engaging people with science and engineering has never been more important. In an increasingly technological world, everyone needs to understand the benefits and potential concerns around new developments which may affect us all. Science engagement can help the public become part of a national conversation on some of the big issues like climate change and renewable energy, ensuring that researchers and policy makers understand the impact of leading research."

“There is already lots going on, but now more than ever we need to maximise the effectiveness of science engagement by increasing its reach and impact. I welcome this Concordat for Engaging the Public with Research and its aims to strengthen public engagement across the research and HE sector. I would like to thank all the signatories and supporters who will be implementing and reviewing the Concordat for their commitment to public engagement, which will enhance the future of research and benefit the UK society and economy.”

The new Concordat for Engaging the Public with Research provides a single statement of expectations and responsibilities of research funders in the UK.

It has four principles that signatories agree to adhere to:

• 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 will undertake regular reviews of their and the wider research sector’s progress in fostering public engagement across the UK.

Professor Alan Thorpe, Chair of Research Councils UK (RCUK) said: “Public engagement enhances research so that it contributes positively to society and results in greater relevance, accountability and transparency. Such engagement helps empower people, broadens attitudes and ensures that the work of universities and research institutes is relevant to society and wider social concerns. This Concordat for Engaging the Public with Research is part of Research Council UK efforts to support and encourage researchers to engage with the public and overcome barriers that they may encounter.”

The launch of the Concordat for Engaging the Public with Research will also see the release of a new short film produced by Research Councils UK. Exploring the benefits of public engagement with research, the film features interviews with leading figures from the academic and research communities. The film can be viewed here.

Sir Alan Langlands, Chief Executive of HEFCE who is one of the signatories of the Concordat said: "As universities have developed their wider roles in the economy and society, the bond with the public has strengthened significantly. A recent HEFCE commissioned survey by Ipsos MORI demonstrated that the public appreciates this relationship with a large majority indicating the importance of government investment in higher education, while acknowledging the wide benefits that universities bring to the UK. We are keen to support this Concordat. It provides a significant milestone in furthering mutual engagement and understanding between universities and their wider communities and will underpin the importance to the country of all disciplines, including the arts and humanities as well as the sciences."

Commitment to the Concordat signals that the research funders will support HEIs and research institutes to help them implement the Concordat across their organisation and embed public engagement at a strategic level. Research organisations will be encouraged to celebrate and communicate their researchers’ successes in public engagement and this new Concordat will facilitate the sharing of best practice.

Nicola Dandridge, Chief Executive of Universities UK, said: “Research in the UK’s universities has resulted in some truly life changing discoveries and new ways of thinking, relevant to all of us. It is therefore important that the public understand and are engaged in what is happening. This is to ensure that research informs public thinking and decision making and so that public opinion can inform how research is conducted. Universities also receive significant amounts of public funding to conduct this research so it is important that they are able to explain more widely to the tax payer how this money is being used. The Concordat will help the research community to engage further with the public and to highlight the long-term benefits of their work.”

A copy of the Concordat for Engaging the Public with Research can be found here.

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Further information

Contact:
Jane Wakefield
RCUK Press and Communications Manager
Tel: 01793 444592

Notes for editors

1. The signatories of the Concordat for Engaging the Public with Research are:
   • Research Councils UK
   • Higher Education Funding Council for England
   • Higher Education Funding Council for Wales
   • Department for Employment and Learning (DEL), N. Ireland
   • Scottish Funding Council
   • The British Academy
   • The Royal Academy of Engineering
   • The Royal Society
   • Defra

   The supporters of the Concordat for Engaging the Public with Research are:

   • Academy of Medical Sciences
   • Academy of Social Sciences
   • Association of Medical Research Charities
   • Association of Research Managers and Administrators UK
   • British Science Association
   • The Consortium for Research Excellence, Support and Training
   • Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
   • Department for Communities and Local Government
   • Engineering UK
   • Food Standards Agency
   • GuildHE
   • Home Office
   • Institute of Physics
   • Institution of Mechanical Engineers
   • Million+
   • Parkinson's UK
   • Royal Geographical Society
   • Royal Institution
   • Royal Society of Chemistry
   • Royal Society of Edinburgh
   • Science Council
   • Society of Biology o
   • The 1994 Group
   • The Russell Group
   • The Wellcome Trust
   • UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres
   • Universities UK
   • University Alliance
   • Vitae

   The signatories and supporters are working together with the National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement to implement the Concordat for Engaging the Public with Research.

2. To support the Concordat for Engaging the Public with Research the funders asked the National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE) to produce a set of briefings for research staff and senior managers to provide guidance and practical tips to help organisations to implement the principles. These briefings are accompanied by a re-launched NCCPE website, containing a wealth of case studies and resources to support managers and research staff to develop their public engagement activities and institutional strategies, building on the lessons learned from the Beacons for Public Engagement initiative. www.publicengagement.ac.uk.

3. In parallel with the launch of the Concordat, the NCCPE is also today launching a Manifesto for Public Engagement, inviting vice-chancellors to commit their institutions to realising the Concordat’s principles, and to ensure that their staff and students are well supported in their engagement activities. Early signatories include Imperial College and the University of Bristol. Eric Thomas, vice-chancellor at the University of Bristol said: "Public engagement presents a huge opportunity for universities. This isn't an additional activity - this is core to Higher Education's mission." Keith O’Nions, Rector at Imperial College agrees: “Public engagement is an essential way for today’s universities to connect with society and earn their ‘licence to operate’, so I am delighted to make this formal commitment to it at Imperial. Many of our researchers, staff and students already work with public audiences, demonstrating great skill, creativity and passion. I look forward to Imperial building on their efforts and providing stronger support for them, and experimenting with new ways of engaging with a diverse range of audiences.”

4. Research Councils UK (RCUK) is the strategic partnership of the UK's seven Research Councils. We invest annually around £3 billion in research. Our focus is on excellence with impact. We nurture the highest quality research, as judged by international peer review providing the UK with a competitive advantage. Global research requires we sustain a diversity of funding approaches, fostering international collaborations, and providing access to the best facilities and infrastructure, and locating skilled researchers in stimulating environments. Our research achieves impact – the demonstrable contribution to society and the economy made by knowledge and skilled people. To deliver impact, researchers and businesses need to engage and collaborate with the public, business, government and charitable organisations. www.rcuk.ac.uk.

   The seven UK Research Councils are:

   • Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
   • Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
   • Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC)
   • Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
   • Medical Research Council (MRC)
   • Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
   • Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

5. Universities UK (UUK) is the representative organisation for the UK’s universities. Founded in 1918, its mission is to be the definitive voice for all universities in the UK, providing high quality leadership and support to its members to promote a successful and diverse higher education sector. With 133 members and offices in London, Cardiff and Edinburgh, it promotes the strength and success of UK universities nationally and internationally. Visit: www.universitiesuk.ac.uk.