The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), along with the other six research councils that comprise Research Councils UK (RCUK), has announced a new funding call for embedding public engagement with research in UK Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
UK Higher Education Institutions are invited to apply for funding to embed public engagement with research. This call builds on from the successes of the Beacons for Public Engagement initiative and aims to support more of our researchers to engage the public by creating a culture within grant holding HEIs where excellent public engagement with research is valued, recognised and supported. Deadline for applications is 12:00 Thursday 17th November.
The aim of the call is to:
• create a culture within the grant holding HEIs where excellent public engagement with research is formalised and embedded through:
o strategic commitment to public engagement
o integration of public engagement into core research activities of HEIs, including measuring quality and impact of public engagement with research activities
o reward and recognition of researchers and staff involved in public engagement
o encouraging and supporting researchers and staff at all levels to become involved (e.g. by building capacity for public engagement amongst researchers)
o create networks within institutions to share good practice, celebrate their work and ensure that those involved in public engagement feel supported
o contribute to a wider network supportive of public engagement including the NCCPE, other recipient HEIs and the wider HE community
• build on experience to develop best practice that recognises the two-way nature of public engagement with research
For further information, the call document can be found here: http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/per/pages/catalysts.aspx
Notes to editors
Details of the call for proposals for Public Engagement with Research: Catalysts can be found here. Once awarded funding, projects are expected to start after 1 April 2012 and end by 31 March 2015. Applications are invited from HEIs awarded over £15 million (at least £8 million in any one year) in funding from the Research Councils between 1 April 2008 and 31 March 2011.
The Beacons for Public Engagement initiative was a partnership between RCUK, the UK Funding Councils and the Wellcome Trust established in 2008. Six Beacons were established around the UK to pilot new methods to embed public engagement with research within their organisations alongside the National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE). Successes of the Beacons initiative included building capacity through networks, professional development, partnership working and resource creation, recognising public engagement through awards, embedding within strategic goals, planning cycles, recruitment and promotion criteria and the inclusion of public engagement in the responsibilities of senior managers.
The Concordat for Engaging the Public with Research was launched in December 2010 and aims to create a greater focus on and help embed public engagement with research across all disciplines in the higher education and research sectors. A copy of the Concordat can be found here
The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC): Each year the AHRC provides approximately £100 million from the Government to support research and postgraduate study in the arts and humanities, from languages and law, archaeology and English literature to design and creative and performing arts. In any one year, the AHRC makes hundreds of research awards ranging from individual fellowships to major collaborative projects as well as over 1,100 studentship awards. Awards are made after a rigorous peer review process, to ensure that only applications of the highest quality are funded. The quality and range of research supported by this investment of public funds not only provides social and cultural benefits but also contributes to the economic success of the UK.
Research Councils UK (RCUK) is the strategic partnership of the UK's seven Research Councils. We invest annually around £3 billion in research. Our focus is on excellence with impact. We nurture the highest quality research, as judged by international peer review providing the UK with a competitive advantage. Global research requires we sustain a diversity of funding approaches, fostering international collaborations, and providing access to the best facilities and infrastructure, and locating skilled researchers in stimulating environments. Our research achieves impact – the demonstrable contribution to society and the economy made by knowledge and skilled people. To deliver impact, researchers and businesses need to engage and collaborate with the public, business, government and charitable organisations. www.rcuk.ac.uk
The seven UK Research Councils are:
• Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC);
• Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC);
• Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC);
• Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC);
• Medical Research Council (MRC);
• Natural Environment Research Council (NERC);
• Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC).