Chloe,
Many thanks for sharing this information.
The Concordat is an extraordinary document calling for a major
revolution within the research community.
I would be amazed if there is currently any research organisation that
can demonstrate a strategic commitment to public engagement as described
in Principle 1 of the Concordat. To create that commitment would require
a change in their missions, strategies and operations as well as the
diversion or supplementation of existing resources. In short, it would
require a revolution, and a major exercise in change management.
Is there anybody on this list who works for a research organisation that
can already demonstrate that it fulfils most or all of the criteria set
out in the Concordat - I'd like to see what such an organisation looks
like.
Bob Ward
Policy and Communications Director
Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment
London School of Economics and Political Science
Houghton Street
London WC2A 2AE
http://www.lse.ac.uk/grantham
Tel. +44 (0) 20 7106 1236
Mob. +44 (0) 7811 320346
-----Original Message-----
From: psci-com: on public engagement with science
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Chloe Sheppard (RCUK,
Strategy Unit)
Sent: 28 January 2011 10:44
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] Researchers engaging with the public
The new Concordat for Engaging the Public with Research aims to create a
greater focus on and help embed public engagement with research across
all disciplines in the higher education and research sectors. Signed by
Research Councils UK, the UK Funding Councils, Royal Society, Royal
Academy of Engineering and British Academy , the concordat provides a
single statement of expectations and responsibilities of research
funders in the UK.
Supporters of the Concordat include Universities UK, The 1994 Group, The
Russell Group, Wellcome Trust, Association of Medical Research
Charities, Institute of Physics, Royal Society of Chemistry, Society of
Biology and Academy of Social Sciences.
As research funders, we recognise the benefits of public engagement for
research and researchers, as well as society more broadly. We launched
the Concordat to build on and strengthen the existing good quality
public engagement activity by providing a mandate for universities and
research institutes to better value, recognise and support public
engagement.
The Concordat consists of a set of principles for the future support of
public engagement within research organisations (including universities
and research institutes) and, under each principle, an explanation of
how it may best be embedded into institutional practices, building on
the experiences of universities and research organisations across the UK
(such as the Beacons for Public Engagement).
The importance of implementation is recognised by its inclusion within
the Principles themselves.
The four principles are:
1) UK research organisations have a strategic commitment to public
engagement.
2) Researchers are recognised and valued for their involvement with
public engagement activities.
3) Researchers are enabled to participate in public engagement
activities through appropriate training, support and opportunities.
4) The signatories and supporters will undertake regular reviews of
their and the wider research sector's progress in fostering public
engagement across the UK.
Our implementation plan includes working with the National Coordinating
Centre for Public Engagement and other partners to engage researchers,
research managers, support staff and senior managers over the coming
year via conferences, workshops and meetings to champion public
engagement in the HE sector in the UK and support those within
universities and research institutions to achieve the principles of the
Concordat.
We have also developed a series of briefings for researchers, research
managers, and supporters of researchers and senior Managers. These are
on our web page (hosted at
http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/per/Pages/Concordat.aspx).
A Concordat steering group (with appropriate representation of the
funders and sector bodies) is taking strategic oversight of the
implementation and will review progress.
However, we do not wish to provide additional burden to universities and
research institutes through additional reporting.
The Concordat therefore states (under Principle 4) that research
organisations should themselves monitor and evaluate the efficacy of the
public engagement they support in addressing their strategic aims and
the extent to which they are meeting the expectations outlined in this
Concordat. This Concordat provides a common framework for regular
reviews of progress across the sector by the Funders, through existing
reporting structures.
We also expect research organisations to work together to develop and
share good practice in public engagement and in the implementation of
the Concordat.
Finally, Alongside the Concordat, the National Coordinating Centre has
produced a Manifesto for Public Engagement. By signing up to the
manifesto, institutions can declare their strategic commitment to public
engagement, and access additional support and guidance from the NCCPE.
For further information please visit www.publicengagement.ac.uk
The NCCPE's website also hosts a wealth of additional resources to
support managers and research staff to develop their public engagement
activities and institutional strategies.
More on the Concordat including a full list of signatories and
supporters can be found at
http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/per/Pages/Concordat.aspx
Best wishes,
Chloe Sheppard
Chloe Sheppard
Senior Policy Manager
Public Engagement with Research
RCUK Strategy Unit
Polaris House
North Star Avenue
Swindon
Wiltshire
SN2 1ET
Email: [log in to unmask]
Telephone: 01793 442817 (office) 07827354761 (mobile)
Beacons for Public Engagement - recognising, rewarding and building
capacity for public engagement. Getting started in public engagement or
wanting more support? Find out about best practice and opportunities
for training and funding at www.publicengagement.ac.uk
RCUK Researchers in Residence - Engaging Tomorrow's Talent Today -
bringing researchers, young people and teachers together via exciting
and innovative placements in secondary schools across the UK. Get
involved today: www.researchersinresidence.ac.uk
--Original Message-----
From: psci-com: on public engagement with science
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Bob Ward
Sent: 27 January 2011 16:13
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [PSCI-COM] Researchers engaging with the public
I would be interested to hear views about Monday's Horizon programme
which was presented by Paul Nurse (if you haven't seen it yet, it is
available to watch here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006mgxf).
I have seen some criticisms of it (such as it didn't deal with the
issues in enough detail), but I thought it was pretty good, particularly
as its parting message was that the debates surrounding issues such as
climate change and GM are too important to be left to campaigners and
columnists, so researchers should engage more with the public and the
media.
Anybody else have (constructive) views on this?
Linked to this, one of my colleagues has flagged up to me the
publication by research funders on 7 December of a 'Concordat for
Engaging the Public with Research':
http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/news/2010news/Pages/101207.aspx
I haven't seen any discussion of this on the list. Does anybody know
what follow-up there will be and when? Is there an implementation
strategy and an assessment of what successful implementation would look
like? And does this mean additional resources will be devoted to public
engagement activities?
Bob Ward
Policy and Communications Director
Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment
London School of Economics and Political Science
Houghton Street
London WC2A 2AE
http://www.lse.ac.uk/grantham
Tel. +44 (0) 20 7106 1236
Mob. +44 (0) 7811 320346
Please access the attached hyperlink for an important electronic
communications disclaimer: http://lse.ac.uk/emailDisclaimer
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