Throughout the last eighteen months, members of our Focus Group on Public Engagement have contributed to a scholarly blog exploring what Public Engagement is practised across the LERU member universities. We took turns in monthly posts to outline the Public Engagement taking place at our home universities and within our research spheres, sharing our experiences… Continue reading Translating Values into Action: LERU Public Engagement Scholarly Blog and the Future of European Research
Research-based Teaching with Citizen Science: Chances and Challenges for Future Skills in Higher Education
Participatory and transdisciplinary research approaches are still rare in university curricula. Integrating research-based teaching with Citizen Science at the BA and MA level introduces a wide range of learning opportunities – for educators and for students alike. But it also comes with its own set of challenges. This post is part of a larger series… Continue reading Research-based Teaching with Citizen Science: Chances and Challenges for Future Skills in Higher Education
Making Science by engaging people and their knowledge(s): the crossing-knowledges approach in Citizen Science
This post is part of a larger series of blogs that representatives of the LERU focus group on Public Engagement are writing to inspire and inform academics, societal partners and citizens who have a keen interest in Public Engagement. This month’s author is Victoria Brotto, Citizen Science project manager at Citizen Lab – Open University of… Continue reading Making Science by engaging people and their knowledge(s): the crossing-knowledges approach in Citizen Science
Utrecht University: Public Engagement and the Transition to Open Science
How do you ensure that engaging wider society with science becomes part of the university’s DNA? That it’s not just an add-on, but truly embedded in the university’s core mission? Utrecht University is often seen as a leading example for other LERU universities when it comes to Public Engagement. But how did we achieve this?… Continue reading Utrecht University: Public Engagement and the Transition to Open Science
Harnessing the Power of Citizen Science in Universities
Citizen Science broadly refers to the active involvement of the general public in research, often through data collection, analysis, and interpretation. At its core, it democratises science by empowering individuals and communities to engage directly with scientific inquiry, making knowledge creation more inclusive and accessible. This approach bridges the gap between researchers and the public,… Continue reading Harnessing the Power of Citizen Science in Universities
A Benefit For All: Direct Public Involvement in Advanced Encryption Standards
When engineers and computer scientists design standardised digital communication and services such as encryption, which should guarantee security, privacy and authenticity of the messages, the intended users worldwide should have trust and confidence in these services. Transparency and public scrutiny of encryption methods are therefore crucial. Hence the evaluation of these services should not be… Continue reading A Benefit For All: Direct Public Involvement in Advanced Encryption Standards
Let’s Engage Citizens in Research!
Public Engagement in Science is often equated with science communication, including transferring scientific knowledge through various media outlets or during public events for citizens. While these are valid approaches to engage a broader public with research results, the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich – through their Competence Center for Citizen Science called Citizen Science… Continue reading Let’s Engage Citizens in Research!
In-Person, Online, Hybrid Events: Who are we choosing to exclude?
The Covid pandemic fundamentally changed the ways many of us delivered Public Engagement activity, pivoting from almost entirely in-person events to, through necessity, working in the digital space. One of the huge positives of this rather strange time was how the Public Engagement and festival sectors came together to share expertise and experience. Many of… Continue reading In-Person, Online, Hybrid Events: Who are we choosing to exclude?
UCL Public Engagement: Differentiating Public Engagement, Co-Production and Citizen Science
Not long ago, science communication revolved around scientists “educating” the public, who were seen as passive recipients of knowledge. Thankfully, that outdated that strategy, known as a “deficit model,” has given way in the past few years to a more inclusive approach. Today, collaboration is the focus, as researchers actively work alongside public and community… Continue reading UCL Public Engagement: Differentiating Public Engagement, Co-Production and Citizen Science
Forging Connections: Public Engagement in Europe and Beyond
The LERU Focus Group on Public Engagement is excited to announce its upcoming blog series, “Forging Connections: Public Engagement in Europe and Beyond.” This 12-part series will provide a platform for diverse voices in the current landscape of Public Engagement. Public Engagement describes the myriad of ways in which the activity and benefits of higher… Continue reading Forging Connections: Public Engagement in Europe and Beyond