Opportunities and resources for staff

Training

PER Training opportunities

We have a number of free training courses available to help you learn about and develop your public engagement skills. Unless otherwise stated these courses are available to all (DPhil students, researchers at all levels, and support staff). They are run jointly with MPLS. Find out more here.

The Conversation training

The Conversation is an online source of thought-provoking articles written by researchers and academics for the public in the UK and globally. Oxford is a member of The Conversation and receives regular opportunities for researchers to contribute articles and to take part in hands-on training to enhance writing and engagement skills. Details on training for researchers from the science Divisions is here.

Funding

PER Culture Change Fund

The PER Culture Change Fund is now open for applications. Proposals of £1.5k-4k welcome, for projects to help Oxford departments develop their capacity and confidence for public engagement with research. Projects could include training series, recognition schemes, staff buyout to develop a departmental PER strategy, pilot PER projects involving multiple researchers and staff, etc.

Applications via IRAMS; rolling deadline until May 2022 or when all funding has been awarded. Researchers & professional services staff can apply (students welcome as co-applicants).

PER Culture Change Fund call for proposals 

ESRC Impact Acceleration Account at Oxford funding opportunities 

Managed by the Social Sciences Division’s Research, Impact and Engagement Team, the £1.1 million ESRC Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) provides flexible funding options for a wide range of Knowledge Exchange activities with the intention of enhancing the impact of excellent social science research.

ESRC Impact Acceleration Account

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

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.

Oxford Hands-On Science

Do you love science? Do you want to share this passion with others? Do you believe that science is fun, exciting and relevant to everyone? Then get in touch with Oxford Hands-On Science (OxHOS)! For more information, visit the OxHOS website.

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.

Research for All Journal

Research For All is a journal focusing on research that involves universities and communities, services or industries working together. Contributors and readers are from both inside and outside of higher education, including researchers, policymakers, managers, practitioners, community-based organisations, schools, businesses and the intermediaries who bring these people together. They are looking for articles that describe, explain and analyse engaged research. For more information: NCCPE Website

Oxford Sparks

Oxford Sparks is a portal for engaging with a wealth of exciting science taking place across the University. Alongside some shiny new branding, Oxford Sparks will be creating live action video content which will be shared across the Sparks website and social media channels. Would you like to share your research with others? Submit an expression of interest now!

Explore the all-new website – and submit an expression of interest.

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 2023

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. 

ATOM Science MARKET 2023

The ATOM Science Market will take place on Saturday 11 March 2023 in Abingdon Market Place and Abingdon Guildhall.

If you are interested in running your own activity, please contact Louise King.