Communicating impact: tips on public engagement
Whilst it is still necessary to communicate your research through the usual conventional academic publications, impact is about communicating to a wider audience. This might be through the media, science festivals, centres and exhibitions or using online print or exhibition materials. Methods of communicating the impacts of your research could include:
- Public Lectures
- Co-produced research
- Writing for the non-specialist
- Media work
- Taking part in public events
- Working with cultural venues such as museums, galleries and science centres
- Attendance at fairs or exhibitions (interactive exhibitions)
- Seeking to influence public policy
- Students working with the public
- Provision of learning opportunities
- Volunteering
- Advisory processes
- Facilitating the use of university facilities by the public
- Working with teachers/schools
- Community engagement
- Specialists interacting with non-specialists
- The application of scholarship for the public good
Key audiences for the above activities might include the media, special interest groups, Non-Government Organisations, policymakers, business and trade bodies, and schools.
For more ideas, see the case studies from the National Co-Ordinating Centre for Public Engagement.
RCUK guidance for Public Engagement
RCUK provides information about public engagement and why it is an effective dissemination tool, as well as information on funding that is available to support public engagement activities. To find out more please see the RCUK Public Engagement resources.
Resources for public engagement activities can also be requested in the RCUK Pathways to Impact.