Opportunities and resources for staff
Upcoming events
Have you thought of a career in Medical Research?
Wednesday, 04 June 2025, 4pm to 5pm @ Zoom webinar
Why engage?
Public Engagement with Research can lead to significant benefits for everyone involved, including researchers and research students, their institutions, and the many different publics in society.
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NDS
Take a look at our list of opportunities for public engagement activities, funding and training.
Webinar series: Have you thought of a career in medical research?
NDS and NDORMS are running a series of online talks where three researchers from medical departments in the University of Oxford discuss their work and their career. These ‘Have you thought of a career in medical research?’ webinars are aimed at Y12/13 students who might be considering medical research careers. If you are interested in giving a 10-minute talk about your career and research, please contact Louise King for more information.
STEM Learning
STEM Learning is the largest provider of education and careers support in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). They work with schools, colleges and others working with young people across the UK. Interested in becoming a STEM Ambassador? Learn more here.
Science Oxford
Science Oxford runs science clubs and many other activities in schools and for the public.
Smart Talkers: The Academic Ideas Lab
The Academic Ideas Lab is regularly approached by TV and Film producers looking for academics, researchers, curators of all flavors as potential new presenting talent, to work on programmes as paid expert consultants and for other roles. To hear about the latest opportunities, sign up to the alerts by emailing info@academicideaslab.co.uk with ‘Subscribe to Smart Talkers’ as the subject.
Networking
Public Engagement Facilitators’ Network
The Public Engagement Facilitators’ Network is a University-wide network, which creates opportunities for shared learning and best practice in all things PER. This network is for professional services staff who actively support, facilitate and / or lead PER as part of their role. Come along to the next virtual event, which will explore examples of setting up new PER projects.
Contact: publicengagement@admin.ox.ac.uk to be added to the PEFN Team on Microsoft Teams and to receive the diary invite for the next meeting.
Festivals
IF Oxford Science + Ideas Festival 2024
IF Oxford is an opportunity for people to explore innovative ideas and creative research in and around Oxford. Combining science, technology, engineering and mathematics with arts and humanities, it brings together researchers, authors and creative professionals.
NDS will participate in the festival again this year in October. If you are interested in running your own activity at our interactive stall, please contact Louise King.
University public engagement resources
The University has compiled a hub of resources to help you plan, deliver and evaluate public engagement activities.
Medical Sciences Materials Suite
The Medical Sciences Divisional Office has a number of resources to support public engagement which can be loaned out to researchers. These include a suite of matching materials for events such as science fairs (including pull-up banners, tablecloths, and t-shirts) and tablets. Please contact Naomi Gibson.
Oxford Sparks
Oxford Sparks is the place to explore and discover science research from the University of Oxford. It aims to share our amazing science with everyone, support teachers to enrich their lessons and support our researchers to get their stories out there. They bring together resources and information from across the University.
Researchers' Toolkit PER Resources
On the Medical Sciences Division website you will find information about support, training, funding, events and activities, and Patient and Public Involvement (PPI).
'How to' Guide
What works: Engaging the public through social media
The NCCPE has worked with public engagement professionals and researchers from across the UK to co-develop a new ‘How to’ guide regarding social media and engaging the public.