What is Public Engagement?
Public Engagement is defined by The National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement as:
"the myriad of ways in which the activity and benefits of higher education and research can be shared with the public. Engagement is by definition a two-way process, involving interaction and listening, with the goal of generating mutual benefit."
The public are defined as:
"individuals and groups who do not currently have a formal relationship with an higher education institution (HEI) through teaching, research or knowledge transfer".
Engagement is a two-way process. The public are individuals and groups outside of academia.
The UK Research and Innovation’s Public Engagement Vision (2019) and associated funding calls reaffirm the importance of public engagement as a driver for creating a more prosperous, healthy and sustainable society, by making research and innovation more relevant, impactful and trusted.
Public Engagement at the University of Glasgow
At the University of Glasgow, engagement underpins the three priorities of the Research Strategy 2020-2025:
"We will address urgent problems in our society and the biggest gaps in our knowledge by working together."
The University is also signed up to the NCCPE Manifesto for Public Engagement:
"The University of Glasgow is proud of its commitment to public engagement, from undergraduate volunteering to research projects which tackle large scale global challenges and place knowledge exchange and dialogue with partners at the heart of any solution. In signing the manifesto we are highlighting our commitment to this agenda and demonstrating our continued support for staff and students involved in public engagement."
- Professor Anton Muscatelli, Principal & Vice-Chancellor
Support for public engagement has further been bolstered by the Civic University Agreement (2019), signed by the University of Glasgow and over 50 other universities, who have pledged to play an active, civic role in the communities they are located in.