Background:
The RCUK Science in Society Unit has now changed its name to the Public Engagement with Research Team following its move to be part of the RCUK Strategy Unit. The RCUK Public Engagement with Research Team was set up in April 2005 and brings together the Research Councils' activities to raise public awareness and engagement in science and innovation. This includes our work with schools, scientific researchers, and the general public.
As the UK's biggest public funders of cutting edge research, our work affects everyone, and this site is the gateway to finding out more about Public Engagement with Research Strategy was refreshed in March 2010, and takes forward our ambitions in this area.
Public Engagement with Research reporting framework
RCUK Public Engagement with Research Group (PERG) provides advice and strategic guidance to the work of the Public Engagement with Research team. In particular their terms of reference are:
- Helping to champion the Research Councils vision for public engagement
- Providing strategic guidance to the RCUK Public Engagement with Research (PER) team, to enable successful development and delivery of the RCUK Public Engagement with Research strategy.
- Helping to embed PE across Cross-Council Research Strategies
This Public Engagement with Research Group includes one representative from each Research Council at senior level plus a representative from the RCUK Strategy Unit. The Secretariat is provided by the RCUK Public Engagement with Research Team
The Group is chaired by a nominated member of Research and Development Group, on a rotational basis.
The Group reports to Research and Development Group along with the strategic advice Groups for other areas of Research Council UK activity.
Public Engagement with Research is championed on a rotational basis by a member of the RCUK Executive Group (currently Professor Alan Thorpe, Chief Executive of NERC).
BIS Science and Society Strategy
As part of the RCUK Strategy Unit, the Public Engagement with Research team is involved in supporting the work of the department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). This includes:
- Working with the BIS to align RCUK activities with wider Government priorities and coordinate joint activities
- Working with Council staff, BIS and others to lead or enable the development of RCUK frameworks, processes and projects to strengthen and improve efficient and effective joint working between Research Councils (such as development of RCUK strategies and policy positions on important issues)
RCUK PER has had significant input into developing the Government’s Science and Society strategy in 2008/09. This work is ongoing, and includes input to the current ‘Science: (So What? So Everything.)’ publicity campaign.
The Research Councils are also involved in the current BIS Science in Society Strategy Expert groups. Membership is as follows:-
- Professor Alan Thorpe as Chief Executive Champion for Public Engagement with Research is a member of the Science for All group.
- Dr Iain Cameron, Head of Research Careers and Diversity, RCUK is a member of the Science for Careers group.
- Alex Saxon, new Head of RCUK Communications, is a member of the Science and the Media group.
Contact Details
For general enquiries, please contact:
RCUK Strategy Unit - Public Engagement with Research Team
Polaris House
North Star Avenue
Swindon SN2 1ET
01793 442816
Kerry Leslie
Head of RCUK PER Team
01793 413067
Ruth Potter
Senior Policy Manager
01793 444494
Chloe Sheppard
Senior Policy Manager
01793 442817
Phaedra Neal
Policy Manager
01793 442818
Katie Lambert
Policy Officer
01793 413076
Samantha Cutting
Team Support
01793 442822
Alison Grieve
PA to Head of Unit and Team Support
01793 442816