The Public Engagement with Research team has been privileged to support Professor Federico Caprotti and Dr Whitney Pailman through our Engaged Participatory Research Fund. This work forms part of a larger project, exploring energy provisions and infrastructure for communities in South Africa’s informal settlements. In this piece, we’ll be looking at the lifecycle of this project, demonstrating the possible uses of publicly engaged research.
Category: Case Study
Positive Tipping Points Toolkit
Peter Lefort discusses his recent Springboard-funded work, the Positive Tipping Points Toolkit, which builds on research exploring the positive impact that small-scale changes can have on the climate crisis. The toolkit forms part of a much larger project, focussed on bringing this methodology to new audiences.
Interdisciplinary Public Engagement: The Reading Bodies Project
Catherine Hurcombe, Regional Engagement Assistant, interviews Associate Professor Katharine Murphy and Dr Liv Glaze on their Reading Bodies project. This project demonstrates the benefits of an interdisciplinary approach to public engagement, combining research from across faculties, departments, and languages.
Thunnus UK: Public Engagement in Marine Ecology
Dr Lucy Hawkes shares insights into the Thunnus UK project, which investigates the return of Atlantic bluefin tuna to the nation’s waters. Using the Springboard Fund, the research team were able to share their findings through a public stakeholder event that invited attendees to contribute to this growing area of ecological research.
Exploring Experiences and Support Preferences of Children and Young People on Neurodevelopmental Assessment Waiting Lists in Devon
Dr Anna Price from the department of Health and Community Sciences speaks to us about her recent project, which investigates the perspectives of young people seeking neurodevelopmental assessment through Devon’s healthcare providers. Supported by Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) funding, her experience highlights the complexities of patient outreach work, including both its challenges and benefits.
Loveland: Using Sustainable Food Growth to Connect Communities
This project, based at the Loveland site near Falmouth, Cornwall, received the Bridging Communities award to support its ongoing work combining ecological food growth with community wellbeing in nature. Dr Tim Hughes discusses his experience of using this fund to develop the project.
Using Public Engagement to Grow Interest in Special Collections: An Interview
Catherine Hurcombe from the Regional Engagement team speaks to Caroline Walter, Interim Head of University of Exeter Special Collections, and Sarah-Jayne Ainsworth, Team Leader in Special Collections and Public Engagement Lead for the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum, about their experiences of public engagement in the Heritage sector.
Developing a Census for Cornwall’s Voluntary Sector
Professor Catherine Leyshon offers her insights on the University’s partnership with Volunteer Cornwall and the Volunteer Sector Forum, focusing on a recent study conducted for this project using the Bridging Communities Fund.
Killerton Archaeological Earthwork Survey Training
Dr Susan Greaney, Lecturer in Archaeology, describes the role the Bridging Communities Fund played in supporting ongoing collaborations between the University of Exeter, National Trust, and Historic England. This project, informed by local archaeological sites, is focused on bringing new development opportunities to students, staff, and heritage volunteers.
‘What’s in a Will?’ Workshops
Dr Laura Sangha shares details of her role in the ongoing Leverhulme Trust project, exploring the value of wills in helping us understand the material culture of early modern England. With support from the Springboard fund, this project has encouraged public engagement through active volunteering and workshop opportunities.