Heriot-Watt Engage, the University's new public engagement initiative was launched on Wednesday 8 May. The event was an opportunity for participants to share and discuss public engagement activities and opportunities for their research. Hosted by Quentin Cooper, BBC Radio 4 broadcaster, the lauch event also showcased the variety of public engagement activities carried out by academics and PhD students across the University.
Experts in public engagement
Insights and opportunities for effective engagement were introduced by experts in public engagement. Nicola Osborne from Edina, University of Edinburgh and Sophie Good, Digital Marketing Officer at Heriot-Watt, discussed with participants the use of social media in their research. Andrew Morris from Bang goes the Borders Science Festival talked about this one day event which takes science to communities in the Borders. Frank McKeever from Global Science introduced the STEM Ambassador program, an initiative with local schools to educate and inspire the future generation of scientists, academics and innovators. Sarah Anderson from the Beltane Network, led discussions on how a culture of public engagement is taking place in the higher education sector, and how Heriot-Watt can be part of this change.
Launch of the Principal's Public Engagement Prize
The event also saw the launch of this year's Principal's Public Engagement Prize.
Open to all Heriot-Watt academics and early-career researchers to promote their work, the prize will be given in recognition of the ability to reach new audiences not already engaged with research and that can demonstrate a lasting impact on the public.
For more information on public engagement at Heriot-Watt contact HW Engage