JUNE 2020

Hello Bristol Public Engagement Network and welcome to Connect. Here's the news from your public engagement team. We're here to talk through any of these opportunities so do get in touch! 
 
Black Lives Matter
As a team we support Black Lives Matter. We are paying attention to anti-racism and decolonising activities and actions at the university and exploring how we can support researchers to work with the City of Bristol, its communities and wider publics in relation to these issues. Please get in touch to talk with us about this.
 
COVID-19 update
In accordance with government guidelines, the Public Engagement team are still working from home but we are open for business and are continuing to support our individual academic colleagues and Faculties. We will keep you updated on any developments. We want to support engagement with research in new, creative ways during this period of working differently – do get in touch to discuss with us.
 
Updates on the university-wide response to Covid-19 can be found on the University website.
 
Please note, the opportunities and dates listed below are correct at the time of the publication of this newsletter but in the current climate we recommend checking the linked webpages for any updates.

Take care, 
The Public Engagement team

Take part in online training for researchers on creatively engaging communities, with artist and community engagement consultant Ellie Shipman. If you would like to explore new methods and creative approaches to working with the public you can find out more here.
 
Attend online training with Dr Sophie Morris’ Engagement with Impact. You can attend these live, interactive workshops as individuals or you can organise a session for a cohort in your department/network/collaboration. More information can be found here.

Learn with the British Ecological Society which has recently launched its new digital SciComm and Public Engagement training programme online. From May – August 2020 sessions range from pitching your research to constructing websites and social media video production.

Get involved with your local community. The British Science Association are on the hunt for volunteers for their new UKRI-funded Community Buddy scheme.
 
Watch a brand new film and take part in an online Q&A about SPAN: a hands-on history project that involves members of the public in researching and writing history. 

Link with a public involvement group through a new matching service from The Health Research Authority. This scheme is intended to find people who can provide meaningful input into the design, conduct, and dissemination of COVID-19 related studies.

Pass this opportunity to artists or creative that would like to engage audiences with mathematics through art. CREATE-REACT and the School of Mathematics is offering a 6-month part-time residence (PDF) to work on open-ended collaborations with researchers from different mathematical disciplines.

A reminder that you can keep in touch with other engagers at the Virtually Social: A weekly online meet up for people interested in Science Communication and Public Engagement every Friday at 2pm on Zoom.