Category: Raising Awareness

Things That Go Pop: A review

Posted by on in British Science Festival, Raising Awareness, social event

Back on Sept 6th, on the opening night of the British Science Festival, the Public Engagement Working Group helped sponsor an event curated by Flatpack film festival. ‘Things That Go Pop‘ was an evening of combustible vapours, scientific cocktails, and free thinking inspired by chemist, theologian, and all-round visionary Joseph Priestley. This event was included in the British Science Festival programme and featured experiments and demos led by University of Birmingham researchers from Chemistry and History departments. In the lead up to the event, the University’s research pop-up shop ‘Think Corner‘  also ran chemistry inspired activities to promote Things That Go Pop.

Chemist, Rowena Fletcher-Wood was one UoB researcher who was part of the evening’s activities. We asked Rowena to write us a mini-review which you can read below.

Were you there? If so, let us know what you thought in the comments below! Should we do more of this type of thing?

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National Science and Innovation Survey – let’s hear your views!

Posted by on in Raising Awareness

Later this year, the government will publish a new science and innovation Strategy. Economic growth is fuelled by investment in science and innovation.  Our ambition is for the UK to be the best place in the world to do science and the most attractive place to start, finance and grow an innovative business.

We’ve already heard the views of a range of groups and individuals on how we spend our research capital budget. Now we want to hear from you to help shape the rest of our strategy. If you’d like to share your ideas you can  input by answering the questions in our online survey HERE

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Bringing women in science out of the shadows

Posted by on in News, Raising Awareness

At the British Science Association’s 2014 conference last week our own academic champion Jon Wood led a discussion session on how to publicise the work of women already in science, technology, engineering and mathematics together with Suze Kundu, Laurie Winkless and Heather Williams.

You can read more about the major conclusions from the discussion here.

Public Engagement Ambassadors Event – NCCPE

Posted by on in Raising Awareness, Training Event, Upcoming opportunities

The National Co-organisating Centre for Public Engagement will host its next Public Engagement Ambassadors Event at Leeds University on Thursday the 26th of June 2014. The event will run from 10.30am – 4pm, and will include a showcase of some of the public engagement activities underway at Leeds, an opportunity for networking and a session in the afternoon on a choice of topics listed on the booking form.

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Call for applications: Royal Society Pairing Scheme 2014

Posted by on in Raising Awareness, Upcoming opportunities1 Comment

Royal Society Pairing Scheme for Scientists, Parliamentarians and Civil Servants

The Royal Society Pairing scheme offers scientists working in industry or academia the opportunity to understand the policy process and explore methods of sharing their knowledge with Government. Scientists will spend time together in their Laboratory and in turn in their paired MP’s constituency or Civil Servant’s Government office. All scientists will participate in a ‘Week in Westminster’ providing a valuable insight into how science policy is formed.

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STEM engaging activities

Posted by on in Competition, Raising Awareness, Upcoming opportunities2 Comments

I’m a Scientist, and I’m an Engineer are back for two weeks from the 16th June. There is lots of opportunities for engineers and scientists to get involved and engage with school students all over the UK!

They are looking for engineers to get online and chat to maths, D&T, and science school students about their work. The zones themes are Apprentice, Cities, Food, and Health.

They are also looking for other scientist who can chat with science school students about Agriculture, Animal Behaviour, Astronomy, Bioinformatics, Diamond, Drug Development, Extreme Energy, Genomics, Infectious Diseases, Proteins, Vision, and Water, plus other general science zones.

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Edinburgh International Science Festival

Posted by on in Raising Awareness, Upcoming opportunities

Edinburgh Sciences Festival

The Edinburgh International Science Festival is happening now (5th – 20th of April, 2014), but it is not too late to get tickets for final days! 

Edinburgh International Science Festival is an educational charity that encourages people of all ages and backgrounds to discover the wonder of the world around them. We are best known for organising Edinburgh’s annual Science Festival – the world’s first celebration of science and technology, and still one of Europe’s largest.

The two-week event places emphasis on giving audiences amazing experiences through a programme of innovative and inspiring events. Alongside the annual festival, the organisation has a strong focus on education and also runs a touring programme that visits schools throughout the year.

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