Over the last few months, I have been working with colleagues on developing support for Public Engagement within the University. Initially, this took the form of establishing the Public Engagement Network in early 2023 and holding conversations with those already carrying out Public Engagement activity around their views on support within the institution. 

More recently, we have stepped this work up in a move towards support beyond the network for those carrying out public engagement activities, with the support of the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE), and in conversation with Jeremy Howells (PVC Research, Innovation & External Engagement) and Anne Murphy (DVC Education & Civic Lead) amongst others.

Engage Conference (May 2024)

Engage is the NCCPE’s annual conference: “a celebration of excellent engagement practice in all its forms – led by researchers, engagement professionals, communities, charities and organisations acting as agents for societal change.”

At the start of May, I chaired a panel at the conference investigating experiences of leading institutional change around Public Engagement support, with the support of Jen Gupta (ICG). This session brought together attendees from across the sector including delegates from Engagement Thailand, UKRI’s Public Engagement Lead, and Public Engagement Managers from institutions across the UK.

The panel itself included participants who have been through the process of building institutional support, both at their own institutions and as consultants for others. They shared their top tips, ideas and what they would do differently next time. Conversations in the room revealed that many practitioners across the sector are coming across the same barriers to Public Engagement, but also uncovered some positive work taking place to mitigate these.

You can read more about the panel session here.

Attendees gathered in group discussions during Engage Conference panel

NCCPE co-director visit (June 2024)

At the end of June we hosted Paul Manners, co-director of the NCCPE, for an on-site visit. We used this as an opportunity to invite senior leaders and those with an interest in public engagement from a strategic perspective into conversation around our provision of Public Engagement support.

This provided a platform to discuss the importance of Public Engagement to existing UoP strategy and ambitions, and identify opportunities to integrate mechanisms to support PE into existing structures whilst minimising any additional workload. Crucially, it was clear from this conversation that those involved recognise the importance of Public Engagement, and support for it, in our function as a university. 

Paul Manners also led the final PE Network meeting of the year, hearing from colleagues about the fantastic work which they are undertaking and leading engaging discussions on what Public Engagement really looks like and why it’s so important. 

Moving forwards

While we’ve learnt a lot from these opportunities and we look to be moving in the right direction, we’re still early in the process. If you have any questions, thoughts or ideas around public engagement support or just want to chat about what’s going on, contact hannah.coombs@port.ac.uk.

You can contribute to the institution-wide survey on Public Engagement support here.

You can join the Public Engagement Network group here. We’re taking a break from events over summer, but our schedule for academic year 2024/25 will be shared soon.