Share, inspire, involve…
19 Sep 2017
University launches its public engagement framework
The University has launched its public engagement framework to “share, inspire and involve” the world around us.
We use the term public engagement (PE) to describe the ways in which we involve, connect and share our work with the public.
PE can apply to any discipline and can be part of research, teaching or social responsibility – or even all three at the same time!
Done well, public engagement is incredibly beneficial as well as rewarding. For example enabling knowledge sharing and exchange to solve problems and inspire new directions of work and inspiring future generations of researchers and students can stimulate new areas of research.
The public engagement framework “share, inspire, involve” was developed by Academic Lead for Public Engagement Dr Sheena Cruickshank and Social Responsibility Manager Suzanne Spicer and informed by the findings from:
Within the framework they have mapped the five strategic priorities for public engagement over the next few years. They are:
We strive to achieve high quality by improving the quality of the work we do and by creating a supportive environment to improve public engagement training and share best practice. We want to improve coordination to maximise the opportunities and effectiveness of the work we do and will strive to diversify the audiences we work with in accordance with the community engagement strategy priorities and also the needs of the audiences we work with. We will also capture data on the impact of the public engagement we do.
“Over the years I have been heavily involved with public engagement activities and I have found it enormously rewarding and it has really enriched both my research but also my teaching practice,” Dr Cruickshank explains. “There are so many opportunities to get involved in public engagement – not just here but across the UK and internationally.”
Further information
For further information, you can download the framework:
- Public Engagement Strategy 2017-2020 – summary version
- Public Engagement Strategy 2017-2020 – full version
Forthcoming event highlights include the Manchester Science Festival and the University’s flagship Science Spectacular.
Even if you are relatively experienced at PE, you can always learn more at the engagement@manchester Lunchtime Sessions. They are a great way to hear new ideas and share tips with other people interested in public engagement. The first session is ‘Storytelling and Public Engagement’, from 1-2pm on Wednesday, 18 October, in Manchester Museum, The Study, Collection Room. Visit: