The Public Engagement Unit offers a help, advice and guidance service where you can chat with us about anything related to public involvement and engagement with research.

Who is it for?

Any University of Bath research or research enabler staff.

What can you discuss during an advice surgery?

We are happy to discuss anything relating to public involvement and engagement with research work. This could be topics such as:

• helping you think about your potential public involvement and/or engagement ideas

• opportunities where you can source funding to undertake public involvement and/or engagement with your research

• training and professional development in public involvement and/or engagement

• troubleshoot issues you might be encountering in your involvement and/or engagement work

• evaluating your involvement and/or engagement work

• signposting to public groups and /or organisations, or teams at the University of Bath who you might want to work with or opportunities you might want to take part in

• and much more!

How it works

Each surgery lasts up to 30 minutes and is a one-to-one or one-to-few opportunity to chat with a member of the Public Engagement Unit that can be either in-person or online.

Booking a session is straightforward. All you have to do is check out the dates below and follow the link to book a session with the Public Engagement Unit team.

Upcoming dates

Wednesday 8 January 2025

Book a slot for this session using the Advice Surgery booking form.

If you would like to meet in-person please add that to the Notes section of the booking form, we require a week's notice for in-person meetings.

Can't make these dates or times? No problem. Drop us a line public-engagement@bath.ac.uk and we can arrange a time to chat.

Research Communication Workshop

This is a free, in-person event designed for public engagement professionals, science communicators, and researchers interested in enhancing their communication skills. Led by Jamie Gallagher, Engagement Consultant and speaker at New Scientist Live, the workshop focuses on making your research memorable and engaging for any audience. Date: January 21, 2025 at 1:45 pm – 5:30 pm. Location: Kensington, London

Register for impact through engagement

Deadline for registration: Limited to 50 spots

AHRC New Generation Thinkers 2025

This scheme from the Arts and Humanities Research Council offers five early career researchers the opportunity to be ‘researchers in residence’ and work with programme makers at BBC Radio 4 and produce a piece of writing to be recorded for radio.

AHRC New Generation Thinkers 2025 call guidance

Deadline: 28 January 2025, 16:00

Association of British Science Writers

The ABSW Media Fellowships provide a unique opportunity for practising scientists, clinicians, and engineers to spend two to six weeks working at the heart of a media outlet such as the Guardian, IFLScience or the BBC Radio Science Unit.

Contact the Press Team for more information

NCCPE Sector Seminars

Launching in 2025, the NCCPE Sector Seminars programme will bring together speakers from across national and international engagement landscapes to share innovative practice and perspectives on current agendas.

Further information on NCCPE Sector Seminars

Save the date for the first online seminar: Tuesday 11 March 2025

Participatory Action Research Workshop

A two-day course at Durham University (12–13 June 2025) for PhD students and community organisation members, led by international tutors.

Cost: £60

Deadline: 31 March 2025

Further information on Participatory Action Research Workshop

Apply for the Participatory Action Research Workshop

NIHR Development and Skills Enhancement Award

This is a postdoctoral funding opportunity designed for early to mid-career researchers. It supports individuals seeking to gain specific skills and experience to advance the next phase of their research careers. The award must focus on developing skills essential for securing a competitive NIHR personal award or research grant. The funding amount varies depending on the length of the project and proposed activities.

Development and Skills Enhancement (DSE) award call guidance

Deadline: 27 March 2025, 1:00 pm

Play for the Planet 2

A one-day event at the University of York (25 April 2025) for game designers, researchers, and enthusiasts passionate about environmental action through games.

Cost: Free for attendees; in-person only.

Deadline: 25 January 2025 (abstract submission for presentations).

Further information on Play for the Planet 2

Apply for Play for the Planet 2

Ongoing opportunities

Training courses from the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement

The National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE) offers a range of training opportunities to support the development of high-quality public engagement work. Visit their training courses webpage for more information.

Bespoke Training from the Public Engagement Unit

Do you have an idea for a training session but can't find a provider? The Public Engagement Unit can help. Contact us to arrange a meeting, public-engagement@bath.ac.uk.

The Public Engagement Knowledge Hub is an online learning tool to introduce you to the foundations of high-quality public engagement. The Knowledge Hub, developed by the Public Engagement Unit, is open to anyone with an interest in public engagement and is now available on Moodle (and no, there isn't an assessment involved!).

If you are thinking about undertaking a project to engage public groups with your research, the Public Engagement Knowledge Hub is an online course with resources and activities that will help you to get your idea up and running and ensure your public engagement activity is successful.

You can self-enrol to the Public Engagement Knowledge Hub on Moodle to access a wide range of courses.