UK research funders are celebrating a host of landmark achievements in public engagement, three years on from the launch of the
Concordat for Engaging the Public with Research.
There are now more than 50 signatories and supporters to the Concordat, which sets out strategic principles to ensure that public engagement is valued, recognised and supported across the research and higher education sectors as a fundamental tool to increasing the impact research has on society and the economy.
As part of the anniversary celebrations, Research Councils UK (RCUK), together with other UK funders of research, has launched a new booklet,
Inspiration to Engage: Concordat for Engaging the Public with Research, which showcases compelling examples of public engagement practice across the higher education and research sectors, how public engagement is being embedded in policies and practices, as well as the benefits to researchers and their institutions.
Professor John Womersley, RCUK Public Engagement Champion, launched the booklet at the Engage 2013 conference on 27 November, run by the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE), and speaking to researchers and academics about the vital role of public engagement in enriching the research process.
He says: “Public engagement is not just a ‘show and tell’ activity – it is about listening to and involving the public, ensuring that the results of our work reaches out beyond the usual environments of academia, business and government. Not only does this enhance the quality of research, it also makes a significant contribution to a researcher’s professional and career development. By engaging with the public, researchers enhance their communication and influencing skills, raise their profiles, and grow their confidence and future aspirations.
“We will continue to work with other research funders and the sector to encourage wider adoption and implementation of the Concordat. We hope that sharing inspirational stories from across the UK will allow us to learn from each other so that the culture of valuing, recognising and supporting public engagement continues and thrives.”
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Further information
Contact:
Katie Clark
Press and Communications Manager
Tel: 01793 444592 or email: Katie Clark
Notes to editors
Inspiration to Engage: Concordat for Engaging the Public with Research is available on the
RCUK website.
The signatories of the Concordat are the seven Research Councils, collectively as RCUK; the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE); the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW); the Scottish Funding Council (SFC); the Department for Employment and Learning; the Royal Society; the British Academy; the Royal Academy of Engineering; and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
Research Councils UK (RCUK) is the strategic partnership of the UK's seven Research Councils who annually invest around £3 billion in research. We support excellent research, as judged by peer review, that has an impact on the growth, prosperity and wellbeing of the UK. To maintain the UK’s global research position we offer a diverse range of funding opportunities, foster international collaborations and provide access to the best facilities and infrastructure around the world. We also support the training and career development of researchers and work with them to inspire young people and engage the wider public with research. To maximise the impact of research on economic growth and societal wellbeing we work in partnership with other research funders including the Technology Strategy Board, the UK Higher Education funding bodies, 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).