Using An Evaluation Framework to Direct Public Engagement Work: 2017-2022 with Case Studies

TY - BOOK

T1 - Using An Evaluation Framework to Direct Public Engagement Work

T2 - 2017-2022 with Case Studies

AU - Cameron, Amy

AU - Floyd, Ali

AU - Hardee, Erin

AU - Mackintosh, Ailsa

AU - Stanley-Wall, Nicola

A2 - Quinn, Emma

N1 - Funding Information: Supported by the Wellcome Institutional Strategic Support Fund Grant reference number 04816/Z/16/Z.

PY - 2023/9

Y1 - 2023/9

N2 - We are the School of Life Sciences Public Engagement team. This team encompasses the Schools Outreach Organiser and Public Engagement and Communications Officer as well as the WCAIR Public Engagement Manager and Public Engagement Officer and the Academic Lead. We provide support for the staff and students within the School of Life Sciences in engaging with the public, including training, resource development, administrative support, and specialist expertise. We have staff and student development, and social purpose at the heart of all that we do. In 2017 we defined four main aims as part of our new Public Engagement with Research Strategy: → Build on our creative partnerships to deliver a high-quality, innovative engagement programme. This will inspire participation in and understanding of our research, making science relevant for everyone. → Engage a diverse range of people with our research. → Consult with our local communities to widen our reach and meet their needs. → Promote and support a culture of active participation in public engagement within our life sciences community. In 2018, we worked with Evaluation Support Scotland to set up our evaluation framework. Some of the evaluation outcomes, and their associated indicators, were set to evidence the good work we were already doing. Some were set to drive us to improve our practice. Over the past five years, we have used the framework to monitor our work. Each annual reflection gave us confidence in some areas but also pushed us to re-examine some of our long-standing practices and assumptions and refine the framework to meet changing needs. Here we showcase how we used the evaluation framework to guide our work and in doing so, provide a flavour of the public engagement activities the School of Life Sciences undertakes. We demonstrate how we knew if we were being successful, where we had more work to do, and where we were unrealistic with our expectations.

AB - We are the School of Life Sciences Public Engagement team. This team encompasses the Schools Outreach Organiser and Public Engagement and Communications Officer as well as the WCAIR Public Engagement Manager and Public Engagement Officer and the Academic Lead. We provide support for the staff and students within the School of Life Sciences in engaging with the public, including training, resource development, administrative support, and specialist expertise. We have staff and student development, and social purpose at the heart of all that we do. In 2017 we defined four main aims as part of our new Public Engagement with Research Strategy: → Build on our creative partnerships to deliver a high-quality, innovative engagement programme. This will inspire participation in and understanding of our research, making science relevant for everyone. → Engage a diverse range of people with our research. → Consult with our local communities to widen our reach and meet their needs. → Promote and support a culture of active participation in public engagement within our life sciences community. In 2018, we worked with Evaluation Support Scotland to set up our evaluation framework. Some of the evaluation outcomes, and their associated indicators, were set to evidence the good work we were already doing. Some were set to drive us to improve our practice. Over the past five years, we have used the framework to monitor our work. Each annual reflection gave us confidence in some areas but also pushed us to re-examine some of our long-standing practices and assumptions and refine the framework to meet changing needs. Here we showcase how we used the evaluation framework to guide our work and in doing so, provide a flavour of the public engagement activities the School of Life Sciences undertakes. We demonstrate how we knew if we were being successful, where we had more work to do, and where we were unrealistic with our expectations.

U2 - 10.20933/100001290

DO - 10.20933/100001290

M3 - Other report

BT - Using An Evaluation Framework to Direct Public Engagement Work

PB - University of Dundee

CY - Dundee

ER -