The Beltane annual gathering, which brings together public engagement enthusiasts across the four Edinburgh Universities, this year took place amongst dissection tables and lab benches at the former Royal Dick School of Veterinary Studies, now known as Summerhall.
Crossing disciplinary divides
A plethora of Heriot-Watt staff attended, and showcased their expertise and achievements in public engagement. This year's theme was 'Crossing disciplinary divides', with contributors showing innovative ways which they bring together different fields – from combining mathematics with crocheted cactuses, to academics doing stand-up comedy .
Amongst the participants was the newly appointed Beltane Fellow from the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Yolanda Fernandez Diaz, who introduced her planned public engagement activities combining art and carbon capture and storage science.
Beltane Fellows
The Beltane Fellows represent a wide range of disciplines including Social Sciences, Science, Business and Politics, and a wide spectrum of seniority (from post-docs to professors), with the two most recent appointees both being selected from Heriot-Watt.
HW Engage
At the event, Deputy Principal Alan Miller also introduced Heriot-Watt's new public engagement initiative, HW Engage, which will be working closely with Beltane to support and promote highly imaginative ways to engage the wider public in academic research.
For more information on public engagement at Heriot-Watt, contact HWEngage@hw.ac.uk