Engage 2011: Making an Impact.

Engage 2011: Making an Impact - Public Engagement and the 21st Century.

Universities are increasingly looking to improve their engagement with the public. Developing an outward-facing, dynamic and two-way exchange with the world outside the academy is being encouraged by a host of external policy drivers – but also by the values of many in the sector, who believe that universities are there to ‘make a difference’ and to transform individuals’ lives.

The sector is currently facing a range of challenges including: the expectations from research funders to maximise and demonstrate the impact of research they fund; the Concordat for Engaging the Public with Research which outlines the support universities should provide for engagement activities of staff and students; the changes to how universities are funded, and the implications of this on students, access, and sustainability; and the need to better demonstrate the value of the work universities do. The NCCPE’s second national conference will explore the critical role of engagement in addressing some of these challenges. Delegates will have an opportunity to explore effective models for engaging with the public and ways universities and research institutes can support staff, students and the public to engage in mutually beneficial ways. Contributions are invited from the full range of subject disciplines, university staff, and partners across research, teaching and learning, volunteering and knowledge exchange.

Conference Aims:

To explore the relevance of public engagement to HEIs
To showcase and evaluate different approaches to embedding public engagement within HEIs (drawing on the work of the Beacons, Manifesto Signatories and others)
To explore what effective public engagement looks like, and how it generates impact
To discuss challenges for the engaged university in creating and sustaining meaningful partnerships

Our programme is now available to view. Please click on the following link to see the two day programme: Engage 2011 draft programme (243KB)

Speakers:

Engage 2011 Keynote Speakers:

Professor Mary Bownes (Vice Principal, External Engagement, University of Edinburgh)
Professor Mary Stuart (Vice Chancellor, University of Lincoln)
Dame Fiona Reynolds (Director-General, National Trust)
David Sweeney (Director, Research, Innovation and Skills, HEFCE)

Event format: Workshop, Networking

Open to: Everyone

From: All Beltane institutions

Further details and booking information:

For more information visit: http://www.publicengagement.ac.uk/news-and-events/events/engage-2011-making-impact

Registration:

The conference is open to HEI staff and students, and to partners who work with HEIs.

Normal rates
£150 for one day; £260 for two days

Students are offered a concessionary rate of £110 for one day; £195 for two days

Other rates:
Community organisations who would like to attend the conference will be offered a community rate - please contact Lisa Adlington (lisa.adlington@uwe.ac.uk) if you would like to benefit from this offer.

Places for this event are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Register for your place here: www.survey.bris.ac.uk/nccpe/engage2011/