Download call information document here (Please note the deadline for expressions of interest has been extended slightly to: Monday 16th April, 2018 at 12 noon)
FUTURES GALLERY: ENGAGING AUDIENCES WITH CONTEMPORARY SCIENCE
Thinktank Birmingham’s award-winning science museum, and University of Birmingham are delighted to announce a new scheme offering academics the opportunity to develop content for Thinktank’s Futures Gallery.
The Futures gallery (Level 3) brings to life the huge impact science, technology and medicine have on the way we live – now and in the future. Visitors can explore the outer reaches of space, get to grips with innovative inventions and marvel at medical advancements and how they are saving lives. With interactive exhibits such as Create an Alien and RoboThespian, the Futures gallery aims to stimulate debate, explore scientific issues, and encourage us to question our place in the Universe.
We are now seeking expressions of interest from University of Birmingham academics who would like to develop content linked to their research and provide audiences access to contemporary science.
Aims:
- To develop an engaging and interactive exhibit for display in Thinktank’s Futures Gallery based on content developed by University of Birmingham researchers
- To provide Thinktank audiences with access to contemporary science and engage with a wide and diverse range of people through the resulting exhibit
- To support University of Birmingham academics in enhancing the quality and reach of their research
- To promote University of Birmingham research by providing relevant platforms for engagement and impact
Outcomes:
Indicative outcomes could include but are not limited to:
- The development and creation of an interactive exhibition linked to University of Birmingham research to be displayed in Thinktank’s Futures Gallery
- Opportunities to design and deliver activity which complements the exhibit
What University of Birmingham will provide:
- A budget of £5000 for professional fees, materials and interpretation. This will be paid in two tranches to Birmingham Museums Trust
- Promotion of the scheme to University of Birmingham’s academic community
- Coordination of the application process – from application to selection via a cross-organisational judging panel
- Access to development and mentoring support including Cultural Engagement and Public Engagement with Research Committee and others as required
What Birmingham Museums Trust c/o Thinktank will provide:
- Provision of space in Thinktank’s Futures Gallery for winning University of Birmingham academics to display content linked to their research in an award-winning museum which attracts over 260,000 visitors per year
- Commitment to sending museum representatives to take an active role in the recruitment and selection process, namely shortlisting applications and participating in a judging panel to determine the winner.
- To deliver a museum tour for prospective applicants and to lead a session covering the exhibition development process
- To offer some time to support the development of applications
- To lead on support of the winning applicant(s) from research, development, design and delivery
- To offer access to development and mentoring expertise at Thinktank
- To broker relationships between the winning applicant and Thinktank suppliers/ networks
- To credit the University of Birmingham’s research/ support in exhibition interpretation
Applicant specification
The successful applicant(s) will be expected to:
- Meaningfully engage with staff at Thinktank, external suppliers and designers and colleagues at University of Birmingham
- Show creativity of approach and accuracy in research and content development
- Ensure project outputs and milestones are reached on time and on budget
- Attend regular progress meetings and provide project updates
- Undertake project evaluation
Timeframe
| March – May 2018 | Call for expressions of interest from University of Birmingham academics (by Friday 16 April 2018, 12 noon)
Museum tour and workshop for prospective applicants on 26 April 2018, 1-5pm (send invitations by Friday 20 April, 5pm) – Museum tour – Outline of the exhibition development process – Application planning support
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| June – July 2018 | Application deadline (Friday 1 June 2018, 11.59pm) by completing application form, to be provided at Museum tour and workshop
Notify applicants of receipt of application (by Friday 8 June, 5pm) Final selections Notify applicants (by Friday 13 July 2018, 5pm) |
| July- September 2018 | Project delivery / Phase 1: Research and Development
– Presentation & Feedback session – Outlining ideas and key messages linked to research – Ongoing mentoring from Thinktank and UoB staff
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| September – November 2018 | Project delivery / Phase 2: Exhibition design
– Presentation & Feedback session – Designing exhibition content and interactivity in partnership with museum professionals – Ongoing mentoring from Thinktank and UoB staff |
| November 2018 to January 2019 | Project delivery/ Phase 3: Exhibition build
– Presentation & Feedback session – Building exhibition content and interactivity in partnership with museum professionals – Ongoing mentoring from Thinktank and UoB staff |
| w/b 11 February 2019 | Launch |
| March – May 2019 | Project evaluation |
Travel and expenses
Whilst there is no fee for the successful applicant, travel/expenses will be covered up to £1000
Criteria
The successful applicant(s) should:
- Conduct scientific research at the University of Birmingham
- Demonstrate experience of successful projects in the public realm
- Have experience of engaging creatively with audiences
Expression of Interest:
To express your interest, please send the following all in one PDF which is no longer than 2 sides of A4:
- A Statement of Interest which outlines your area of research and any engagement experience
- A brief proposal
- An estimate of the number of days you will spend working at the museum, through both research and delivery
- Approximate costings
Deadline for EoIs: Friday 16 April 2018, 12 noon.
Museum tour: Thursday 26 April 2018, 1-5pm
Deadline for applications: Friday 1 June 2018, 11.59pm
Successful applicants will be notified by: Friday 13 July 2018, 5pm
Please submit your expression of interest, marked Thinktank Futures, to:
Selection Process
All submissions will be reviewed and assessed by a cross-institutional panel against the following criteria:
- The quality of the response to current research at the University
- The project being truly collaborative, in terms of the relationship between academic, institution and museum, across disciplines and to various audiences
- The project being well planned and organised
- The costs presented being realistic and representing good value for money
- The extent to which other sources of funding have been identified to support the activity
Further Information:
If you would like to take part in this scheme but have further questions, please contact Lorna Hards, Cultural Partnerships Manager (maternity cover) at: l.c.hards@bham.ac.uk