Annual Conferences

An in-person conference wasn't possible in 2020, but our conference went ahead in the form of a fortnight of virtual events. As usual, we offered a range of panel discussions, lectures and interactive sessions focusing on how to engage policy and public audiences with research. This year, we particuarly focused on the impact of the pandemic on engagement and impact, and on the increased role of digital and online tools in effective engagement work.

We invited external colleagues and experts in various fields including digital engagement, hyper-local engagement, citizen science, engaging with the Third Sector and EDI/Sustainability based research. With over 400 attendees and 16 external speakers it was a great success. 

University of Nottingham staff looking for more information about 2020's event can find it on our Sharepoint site.

Full Programme

This conference brought together 150 University of Nottingham researchers and academics from all Faculties and Schools with an interest in/ experience of working in the public engagement and policy impact space.

The theme was 'Celebrate and Aspire' and the programme showcased some of the outstanding policy impact and public engagement that  happens across the University. It also sought to inspire delegates with new ideas from local and national experts.

The afternoon breakout sessions featured a range of workshops across key policy and public engagement topics including Policy 101, Inside the Policy Brain: who policy makers are and how to talk to them, Public Engagement 101, Creating a space for engagement.

The conference included the presentation of the inaugural Policy and Engagement Awards celebrating both individual and team efforts in the policy and public engagement space.

Full programme

This conference brought together 150 University of Nottingham researchers and academics from all Faculties and Schools with an interest in/ experience of working in the public engagement and policy impact space. 

The day featured debates, pecha kucha showcases of best practice in research impact on policy and public engagement, and masterclasses delivered by experts from research funders and NGOs including the Wellcome Trust, Research Councils UK, Economic and Social Research Council, and the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology.

Resources from the day are available on Workspace

This conference brought together 150 University of Nottingham researchers and academics from all Faculties and Schools with an interest in/ experience of working in the public engagement and policy impact space. 

The day featured debates, pecha kucha showcases of best practice in research impact on policy and public engagement, and masterclasses delivered by experts from research funders and NGOs including the Wellcome Trust, Research Councils UK, Economic and Social Research Council, and the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology.

Resources from the day are available on Workspace

Pictures from the day