First steps to public engagement

What is Public Engagement?

Public engagement brings research and higher education institutions together with the public.  It generates mutual benefit - with all parties learning from each other through sharing knowledge, expertise and skills. Done well, it builds trust, understanding and collaboration, and increases the institution's relevance to, and impact on, civil society. 
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►►Start your journey by using our "First steps: ways to get started" tabs
►►Use our Quick links (below)

First steps: ways to get started for a...

How can public engagement help my research? The National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement has a website with comprehensive information about what public engagement is, and the many benefits of doing it well. www.publicengagement.ac.uk What type of public engagement can I do? What skills will I need? Is training available? What have other people done? Is there funding available? How do I join the Edinburgh Beltane Community? What is an Edinburgh Beltane Public Engagement Fellowship?	Are there any Beltane networks or mailing lists I can join? Can I add my project to your website? Can I add my event to your website? Is there advanced training available for me? How do I join the Beltane Community? Is there funding available?	How does the Edinburgh Beltane work? I want to involve a researcher in my event. Which events can I come to?  I am a journalist, how do I find an academic expert? The Edinburgh Beltane maintains a large database of Academic contacts from our University and Higher Education Institution partners. Please get in touch so we can help identify a suitable academic for your research. (Email info@edinburghbeltane.net, or call 0131 650 4874 / 4875) Can I suggest a topic for an event? Of course! Please send any suggestions to info@edinburghbeltane.net and we will try our best to find a researcher who can organise an event.	Why should I include public engagement in university strategy? How do I include public engagement in university strategies? Which other institutions have done this? How can public engagement be recognised in staff appraisals? How will my institution/ department/ faculty/ college/ school benefit from public engagement?

 Quick links: Find what you are looking for fast!

• Information: Find out about events►  Latest funding opportunities►  Latest PE jobs►  Latest news►  Sign up to our newsletter►
• Connect:  Join public engagement networks►  Online forums►  Beltane RSS feeds and mailing list►  Find collaborators or mentors►  Request volunteers►  Create a profile►  Latest conferences and workshops►
• Training & Development: Find out about courses available►  Book a place► Commission a course►  Plan your Continuing Professional Development►
• Funding: Apply for a Beltane Fellowship►  Apply for up to £1500 (Beltane Public Engagement Challenge)►  Ask for advice on writing funding proposals►
• Promote:  Add event►  Add case study►  Add initiative►  Add training course►
• Ask: Post a question►  FAQ►  Contact us►

What is the Edinburgh Beltane?

Edinburgh Beltane is a four year project which aims to change culture in our partner Research and Higher Education Institutions (HEI's) so that more researchers are willing and able to engage with the public about their work. 
►►Find out more about the Edinburgh Beltane