Director, National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement What is public engagement and why does it matter? And what can universities do to support it better? Paul Manners Director, National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement

What is public engagement?

What is public engagement? Public engagement describes the myriad of ways in which the activity and benefits of higher education and research can be shared with the public. Engagement is by definition a two-way process, involving interaction and listening, with the goal of generating mutual benefit.

WHO ARE THE ‘PUBLIC’?

Potential stakeholders or partners Communities of place Communities of interest Schools, colleges and lifelong learning Community organisations and societies Potential stakeholders or partners Cultural and leisure services Voluntary organisations and charities Health and well being agencies Regional / national govt NGOs Local authorities / strategic bodies Social enterprises Businesses

Potential stakeholders or partners The ‘general public’ Communities of place Communities of interest Schools, colleges and lifelong learning Community organisations and societies Potential stakeholders or partners ‘Civil society’ ‘Public sector ‘ Cultural and leisure services Voluntary organisations and charities Health and well being agencies Regional / national govt NGOs Local authorities / strategic bodies Social enterprises Businesses

Potential stakeholders or partners Public engagement Communities of place Communities of interest Schools, colleges and lifelong learning Community organisations and societies Potential stakeholders or partners Cultural and leisure services Civic engagement Community engagement Voluntary organisations and charities Health and well being agencies Regional / national govt NGOs Local authorities / strategic bodies Social enterprises Businesses Business engagement

What kinds of activities are involved?

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT WITH RESEARCH The engaged university Actively involving the public in the research activity of the institution Collaborative research projects Co-produced research with the public helping to shape the research design and/or delivery Supporting the development of community-based researchers Seeking insight or advice to inform future activity The engaged university

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT WITH RESEARCH The engaged university Actively involving the public in the research activity of the institution Collaborative research projects Co-produced research with the public helping to shape the research design and/or delivery Supporting the development of community-based researchers Seeking insight or advice to inform future activity The engaged university KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE & SHARING Increasing the two-way flow of knowledge and insight between the university and wider society Communicating research activity and outcomes Contributing to regional and national policy development Offering consultancy and CPD for community organisations

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT WITH RESEARCH The engaged university ENGAGED TEACHING Developing teaching activities which positively impact on the community, and enhance students’ engagement skills Supporting lifelong learning and community capacity building Teaching engagement skills Raising aspirations of young people Service (or ‘community-based’) learning PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT WITH RESEARCH Actively involving the public in the research activity of the institution Collaborative research projects Co-produced research with the public helping to shape the research design and/or delivery Supporting the development of community-based researchers Seeking insight or advice to inform future activity The engaged university KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE & SHARING Increasing the two-way flow of knowledge and insight between the university and wider society Communicating research activity and outcomes Contributing to regional and national policy development Offering consultancy and CPD for community organisations

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT WITH RESEARCH The engaged university ENGAGED TEACHING Developing teaching activities which positively impact on the community, and enhance students’ engagement skills Supporting lifelong learning and community capacity building Teaching engagement skills Raising aspirations of young people Service (or ‘community-based’) learning PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT WITH RESEARCH Actively involving the public in the research activity of the institution Collaborative research projects Co-produced research with the public helping to shape the research design and/or delivery Supporting the development of community-based researchers Seeking insight or advice to inform future activity The engaged university KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE & SHARING Increasing the two-way flow of knowledge and insight between the university and wider society Communicating research activity and outcomes Contributing to regional and national policy development Offering consultancy and CPD for community organisations SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Seeking to maximise the benefits that the institution can generate for the public Opening up facilities and campus to the public Investing in partnerships and infrastructure to support collaboration with civic society Staff and student volunteering to support the community

What purposes can it serve?

INFORMING CONSULTING COLLABORATING Inspiring, informing and educating the public, and making the work of HE more accessible CONSULTING Actively listening to the public’s views, concerns and insights COLLABORATING Working in partnership with the public to solve problems together, drawing on each other’s expertise

How can universities support PE more effectively?

What’s the problem? We’re aiming to be very positive today – but to offer solutions you need to know what the problems are you’re trying to solve and this is a good place to start – I’m sure all or nearly all of your are aware of this hugely influential report which identified a whole host of issues ... In particular the research-driven culture – including pressure to publish, attract funding for and build careers on ‘hard research’ – means that public engagement is not a priority within many HEIs. Public engagement is also seen as not well regarded by peers, and is difficult to undertake as it does not bring in significant funding.

This initiative aims to create a culture within UK Higher Education where public engagement is formalised and embedded as a valued and recognised activity for staff at all levels, and for students. The Royal Society report was an important platform for the launch of the beacons initiative – a £9.2 m project funded by Research Councils the HE Funding councils and Wellcome. Focus on internal culture change Funded by the UK Funding Councils, Research Councils UK and the Wellcome Trust 29

Manchester Beacon connecting people, place & knowledge PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT UNIT Manchester Beacon connecting people, place & knowledge

CUE East baseline study The importance of public engagement “It’s difficult to say because it almost comes into a different category because it is not part of my job description or one of the measures against which I think I will ever be measured…it’s more like deciding do I want to go for a run today? It’s something I enjoy and it’s important but I don’t really see it as a part of my paid job” (Senior Researcher) 55 semi-structured interviews with academic staff Sample 1 - targeted individuals (n=24) Heads of Schools Associate Deans for Enterprise & Engagement Associate Deans for Research Pro Vice Chancellor Sample 2 - randomly selected academic staff by faculty & grade (n=31) Four faculties – Science, Social Science, Health, Arts & Humanities Four grade levels – Snr Academic, Academic, Snr Researcher, Researcher CUE East baseline study

KEY FINDINGS RESPONSE 84% involved, but lack of a shared understanding. Devise a ‘working’ typology. PE not as important as research and teaching and for some, admin. New promotions criteria links PE to teaching & research. Lack of strategic support New UEA Corporate Plan with Engagement a priority. Very little recording happening & no institutional mechanism in place ‘Engagement Tracker’ developed PE is not rewarded in any formal way. New promotions criteria and individual awards. Evaluation of PE is minimal. Advice to individuals & projects on evaluation.

SENSE OF PURPOSE: An engaged university has embedded a commitment to public engagement in its institutional mission and strategy, and champions that commitment at all levels PEOPLE Involving staff, students and representatives of the public and using their energy, expertise and feedback to shape the strategy and its delivery, focussing on: - Staff - Students - Public

SENSE OF PURPOSE: An engaged university has embedded a commitment to public engagement in its institutional mission and strategy, and champions that commitment at all levels MISSION Create a shared understanding of the purpose, value, meaning and role of public engagement to staff and students and embed this in your strategy and mission. LEADERSHIP Support champions across the organisation who embrace public engagement COMMUNICATION Communicate consistent, clear messages to validate, support and celebrate it, and ensure open and two-way communication with members of the public and community organisations.

SUPPORT: An engaged university is investing in systems and processes that facilitate involvement and learning, recognise achievement and evaluate impact and value for money

REWARD SUPPORT LEARNING An engaged university is investing in systems and processes that facilitate involvement and learning, recognise achievement and evaluate impact and value for money REWARD Recognise and reward staff involvement within recruitment, promotion, workload plans and performance reviews, and celebrate success with awards or prizes. SUPPORT Co-ordinate the delivery of public engagement to maximise efficiency, target support, improve quality, foster innovation, join up thinking and monitor involvement and impact. LEARNING Provide opportunities for learning and reflection and provide support for continuing professional development and training

PEOPLE: An engaged university Involving staff, students and representatives of the public and using their energy, expertise and feedback to shape the strategy and its delivery

PEOPLE: An engaged university Involving staff, students and representatives of the public and using their energy, expertise and feedback to shape the strategy and its delivery STAFF Ensure that all staff – in academic and support roles – have opportunities to get involved in informal and formal ways. STUDENTS Proactively include and involve students in shaping the mission and in the delivery of the strategy, and maximise opportunities for their involvement. PUBLIC Invest in people, processes and infrastructure to support and nurture the involvement of individuals and organisations external to the HEI

Focal points purpose process people MISSION Create a shared understanding of the purpose, value, meaning and role of public engagement to staff and students and embed this in your strategy and mission. LEADERSHIP Support champions across the organisation who embrace public engagement COMMUNICATION Communicate consistent, clear messages to validate, support and celebrate it, and ensure open and two-way communication with members of the public and community organisations. process REWARD Recognise and reward staff involvement within recruitment, promotion, workload plans and performance reviews, and celebrate success with awards or prizes. SUPPORT Co-ordinate the delivery of public engagement to maximise efficiency, target support, improve quality, foster innovation, join up thinking and monitor involvement and impact. LEARNING Provide opportunities for learning and reflection and provide support for continuing professional development and training people STAFF Ensure that all staff – in academic and support roles – have opportunities to get involved in informal and formal ways. STUDENTS Proactively include and involve students in shaping the mission and in the delivery of the strategy, and maximise opportunities for their involvement. PUBLIC Invest in people, processes and infrastructure to support and nurture the involvement of individuals and organisations external to the HEI

LEARNING Focus Embedding Support for informal development Informal mechanisms exist to share information about PE. Regular events aimed at different levels are organised by dedicated staff. People are keen to share experience and honest about failures. Individuals from outside organisations are actively involved. Building formal support into CPD programmes The institution has clear definitions of both PE and the skills or attributes required to do it. Individuals are supported to take a strategic and reflective approach to CPD in PE. Research groups are supported to develop a PE strategy which draws on different people’s strengths, skills and interests. Training is evaluated and is of high quality. The institution supports a network of PE training providers. Opportunities for learning Training and development is linked to skills and opportunities to apply those skills. A reflective approach is encouraged and supported. Infrastructure to support learning Posts which include a remit to co-ordinate PE activities are dispersed throughout the institution. Regular meetings support a ‘joined-up’ rather than ‘top-down’ approach to co-ordination. There is significant investment in infrastructure to support CPD in PE which is evaluated for effectiveness. Information about professional development opportunities is linked to skills.

What skills and attributes are involved?

Communication Empathy Reflection - You adapt your communication for different audiences - You have a robust knowledge of the topic in question - You listen and respond carefully and value other people's contributions - You find out about & build on your audience's knowledge & understanding Empathy - You are sensitive to issues of diversity and inclusion - You respect differences in understanding and attitudes - You are sensitive to social and ethical issues - You have the capacity to build and sustain effective partnerships Reflection - You welcome feedback - You reflect on your own practice and learn from it - You evaluate your activity You recognise when to seek advice or support

The case for public engagement

UK research organisations have a strategic commitment to public engagement Researchers are recognised and valued for their involvement with public engagement activities. Researchers are enabled to participate in public engagement activities through appropriate training, support and opportunities. The signatories and supporters of this Concordat will undertake regular reviews of their and the wider research sector’s progress in fostering public engagement across the UK.