Online public engagement helps bridge the divide between institutions and schools– and it’s not only school students who benefit.
Taking part in I’m a… Activities can boost engagement, improve communication skills, and build a deeper understanding of effective engagement for researchers.
Institutions can guarantee places for their researchers in I’m a… Activities and the Academy online course, building capacity and quality of engagement. Find out more about the Academy Training Package
To get an estimate for something more tailored, contact shane@mangorol.la or call 01225 326 892.
Boost researcher’s engagement
“I didn’t really know much about public engagement before taking part… I’m a… really inspired me to get involved with more! Suzi, PhD researcher
I’m a… is a low pressure space for researchers to ‘dip their toes’ into public engagement. Seeing students’ enthusiasm for their work gives researchers the confidence and motivation to do more outreach.
Those with less previous experience increase their public engagement activities by 130% in the year following I’m a... Activity.
“The whole thing was very two-way… Some of the analogies I totally plagiarised from the students! Max, PhD researcher
From day one, I’m a… is effective experiential training for scientists in engaging the public. Researchers get to hone phrases over two weeks, helped by honest student feedback.
94% of ECR’s surveyed said taking part had improved their communication skills.
“Academy gave me more perspective on exactly why I wanted to take part and gave me points to consider when planning future activities. Savannah, PhD researcher
The Academy is a short online course for researchers to take alongside participation in I’m a… Activity. Based on the NCCPE Engage Framework, it helps researchers understand the fundamentals of quality public engagement and Science Capital concepts at the same time as engaging students.
Supported by a science communication lecturer, researchers answer questions getting them to think about important principles such as purpose, audience needs and appropriate engagement methods.
“As we don’t have a major university very near us, students wouldn’t get this chance otherwise Teacher
Online engagement allows your institution to engage school students who might otherwise miss out on STEM enrichment.
Schools more than 30 minutes drive from a research intensive Higher Education Institution are half as likely to get a visit from a university researcher as those within 15 minutes drive.
Suzi Gage, researcher and lecturer at Liverpool University
I didn’t really know much about public engagement before taking part… I’m a Scientist really inspired me to get involved with more!
Aisling Lee, Technical Architect
“It’s always amazing to think that you might have helped one person to think, ‘Hey, this might actually be for me.’"
Jess Leung, Quality Technician at Kerry Ingredients
“Fitting the I’m a Scientist activity around my job was fortunately quite a success: I was able to fit the live chats around my shift pattern.”
Max Jamily, PhD student at SynBioCDT
“You get direct responses as to whether or not the students like, and understand, your answers to their questions."
Liam Taylor, PhD student
“I maintain that the first I’m a Scientist activity I ever did was the most significant thing I’ve done in my career (…) It set me on a trajectory of education and science communication.”
Aileen Baird, PhD student at Centre for Doctoral Training
“Now I feel I’ve got the confidence and the phrases to deliver my ten-second elevator pitch.”
Julian Rayner, Director, Cambridge Institute of Medical Research
“I love that students have power. It made me think ‘ Oh that’s interesting, how do you manage to even the playing field in engagement activities?’”.
Suzi Gage, researcher and lecturer at Liverpool University
I didn’t really know much about public engagement before taking part… I’m a Scientist really inspired me to get involved with more!
Aisling Lee, Technical Architect
“It’s always amazing to think that you might have helped one person to think, ‘Hey, this might actually be for me.’"
Jess Leung, Quality Technician at Kerry Ingredients
“Fitting the I’m a Scientist activity around my job was fortunately quite a success: I was able to fit the live chats around my shift pattern.”
Max Jamily, PhD student at SynBioCDT
“You get direct responses as to whether or not the students like, and understand, your answers to their questions."
Liam Taylor, PhD student
“I maintain that the first I’m a Scientist activity I ever did was the most significant thing I’ve done in my career (…) It set me on a trajectory of education and science communication.”
Aileen Baird, PhD student at Centre for Doctoral Training
“Now I feel I’ve got the confidence and the phrases to deliver my ten-second elevator pitch.”
Julian Rayner, Director, Cambridge Institute of Medical Research
“I love that students have power. It made me think ‘ Oh that’s interesting, how do you manage to even the playing field in engagement activities?’”.
Suzi Gage, researcher and lecturer at Liverpool University
I didn’t really know much about public engagement before taking part… I’m a Scientist really inspired me to get involved with more!
Get your researchers involved
There’s a long list of scientists wanting to take part in IAS, but only a limited number of places each activity.
Email shane@mangorol.la, or call 01225 667922, to discuss funding to create space for your researchers in I’m a Scientist and the Academy online course.
