An Introduction to Public Engagement Simon Burall/ Director Science Communication Conference 25 May 2011

Introductions What is it? Why do it? Who does it? Q&A Agenda

Who are you? Turn to your neighbour and find out: Who they are? Where they are from? What turned them on to science?

Public Engagement can be: Science Communication Education (e.g. scientists talking in schools) University outreach New Media (e.g. Twitter to update people) Science festivals Policy consultations Debate and dialogue Collaborative research

How many do you recognise? User Panels Participatory Appraisal Neighbourhood Forums Online forums Democs Planning for Real Citizens juries Citizens Summits Deliberative Polling Local Involvement Networks E-Petitions Opinion Polls Citizens Panels World Cafe Forum Theatre Focus Groups Future Search Open Space Wikis Participatory Budgeting Lectures Public talks Public Engagement

Arnsteins Ladder (1969)

InvolveConsultCollaborateEmpowerInform The Participation Spiral

Empower And another way Collaborate Involve Consult Inform Number of people involved

Not just science... It happens in: Health Youth services Criminal justice Environment Planning Etc. At different levels: Local National International

Different reasons Governance Ownership Learning Improved Services Social Cohesion Law & Regulations

Making it all add up Outcome (What) Process / Structure (How) People (Who) Context (Where) Purpose (Why) Process/ Structure (How)

Transmit To inspire, inform, change, educate, build capacity and involvement or influence decisions of others (e.g. the public) Receive To use the views, skills, experience, knowledge of others (e.g. the public) to inspire, inform, change, educate or build your own capacity or decisions Collaborate To collaborate, consider, create or decide something together Public Engagement Triangle

Thinking about the benefits Engagement as an end in itself Engagement as an means to an end Engagement as an external requirement Engagement to benefit institution Engagement to benefit participants Engagement to benefit society

Key players Research Councils Universities Museums and Science Centres Third Sector Private Sector Scientists Engineers Teachers PE Specialists Civil servants NGO staff Public

Lessons learned Dont engage unless you mean it Resource properly Support staff to develop the skills Understand your participants Communicate clearly

Where to go for more information BSA Wellcome Trust NCCPE Sciencewise ERC People&Participation

Event parameters Number of participants:50 Level of deliberation:High Time requirements:Series of events Participants are:Self-selecting PeopleandParticipation.net You could use: Conversation Cafes Deliberative Workshops Design Charrettes Online Consultations E-petitions Area Forums World Café Online Forums Mystery shopper Planning for Real Participatory Appraisal Open Space Dialogue Democs Appreciative Inquiry

Questions and Answers

involve Royal London House Finsbury Square London EC2A 1DX t: e: t:

Thanks to: The following Flickr users who made their photos available under a Creative Commons licence: – Michel Filion – Hey Paul – lepiaf.geo – Ezioman – Xurble – Burningkarma – Chris Campbell – Purpleslog – Dave Schumaker – NuageDeNuit – Involve