Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - FUTURES (FUTURES: Create. Imagine. Explore.)

Teaser

FUTURES is a European Researchers Night’ event bringing together learning from the past and visions of the future, celebrating cultural heritage and exploring innovation. It is hosted across the cities of Bristol and Bath, engaging the South West region of England in the...

Summary

FUTURES is a European Researchers Night’ event bringing together learning from the past and visions of the future, celebrating cultural heritage and exploring innovation. It is hosted across the cities of Bristol and Bath, engaging the South West region of England in the discovery and celebration of European cutting-edge research and its place in society. The consortium is led by the University of Bristol alongside the University of Bath and Bath Spa University. FUTURES has a distinctive regional flavour, bringing together Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellows from the Universities of Bristol, Bath, Exeter and Cardiff, and utilising the strong research connections between these universities. We work with popular venues such as the science centre ‘We The Curious’ and The Holburne Museum, as well as community partners like Barton Hill Settlement to ensure a diversity of citizens can participate in inspiring activities. We have a strong emphasis on engaging school children and families, particularly those who may not normally engage with research, to increase awareness of research careers and break stereotypes about researchers. For all activities, direct interaction with researchers is key, allowing audiences to engage with the people behind the science. The activities build the story of cultural heritage and innovation that have characterised the region’s scientific and socioeconomic development. With Responsible Research and Innovation in mind, we reflect on how current developments have the potential to influence the future of the region and beyond.

The objectives of FUTURES are:
1. build on the rich legacy of innovation and cultural heritage in the South West region to showcase current research and the advances brought about by the universities;
2. engage public audiences, both those familiar with the universities and EU research as well as those new to them, with the positive impacts research has on their daily lives;
3. explore the rich cultural diversity of the region\'s population, inviting diverse communities to participate in the events;
4. inspire and encourage young people in Bristol, Bath and the surrounding areas to raise their aspirations so they may embark on scientific careers in the future, actively working with local schools, including those from disadvantaged communities;
5. showcase Europe’s leading Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellows working in the West of England and South Wales alongside as well as other research also funded by the European Commission;
6. facilitate greater interaction amongst disparate areas of research, breaking down disciplinary barriers;
7. coordinate joint activities with a number of successfully awarded European Researchers’ Nights (ERNs) both in the UK and across Europe, and with other EU funded projects;
8. promote the benefits of European research funding to a wider UK audience.

Work performed

\"The focus of Year 1’s activities were to build the FUTURES brand, raise awareness of the events and wider European Researchers’ Night messages, deliver FUTURES activities across Bristol and Bath and evaluate these activities to assess their impact and inform activities in 2019.

FUTURES 2018 events successfully engaged 5257 people, including 3351 people participating in online vlogging activities. All elements of the awareness campaign, when compiled, achieved a total maximum reach of 3,898,812. The awareness campaign included a Twitter account (@FUTURES_ERN), hashtag (#FUTURESNight) and Facebook page featuring video and image content, particularly highlighting the researchers involved in FUTURES activities. Further awareness raising activities included liaising with regional and local press and creating posters and leaflets for community spaces.

Sixteen events took place across the cities of Bristol and Bath. In total, 229 researchers took part in FUTURES 2018: 153 from University of Bristol, 54 from University of Bath, 12 from Cardiff University and 10 from Bath Spa University. Of these, 35 were MSCA Fellows who were supported to take part in all activities and lead activities in the EU Corners in Bristol and Bath.

The programme aimed to engage audiences of all ages. Activities included: a research fair with hands-on activities and live research experiments, interactive EU Corners, demonstrations, workshops, discussions and talks, art installations and exhibitions, research–related films, conversations over tea and cake, storytelling, stand-up comedy, live illustration, engagement activities on trains and a guided walk. Ten bespoke training sessions and tailored advice supported researchers to take part in each activity.

The impact assessment showed that the activities were successful in achieving the aims set out in the proposal, with the events enjoyed by participants and researchers alike. It also raises several useful recommendations for 2019’s events.
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Final results

FUTURES included innovative engagement activities where audiences could interact with researchers in non-traditional settings and participate in activities that dispelled stereotypes of research. All activities reinforced the message that research is relevant to society and everyday lives and some encouraged active participation of attendees in research enquiry. Researchers were encouraged to share their personal stories, backgrounds and how they ended up in research, particularly in the Researchers’ Tales activity. In total, 139 female researchers (out of a total of 229) participated from a wide range of research fields as well as a high proportion from minority ethnic groups, providing diverse role models for the young people attending the events.

The events successfully showcased European research and demonstrated its value to local residents with 96.2% of public survey respondents feeling that European research and researchers were ‘Very Important’ (83%) or ‘Quite Important’ (13.2%) to Bristol and Bath. A key element of activities was to connect people directly with researchers – these face to face conversations were received positively with both visitors and researchers. A particularly popular topic of conversation was research careers, both with children and young people and their families. Other findings included that visitors were especially pleased the events were free and accessible, with common responses being that the events were ‘Interesting’, ‘Relaxed’ and ‘Inspiring’.

There were also positive impacts recorded for participating researchers. Overall feedback showed researchers thought the events were well organised, they felt well-supported and there was a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. 80% said they had enjoyed their experience ‘a great deal’. For many the best part was interacting with a wide range of people who showed genuine interest in their research and that they “connected with others”. Other benefits included: trying new ways of engaging the public, improving communication skills, improving confidence and supporting future career progression. Researchers were supported in developing these skills through training sessions – ten sessions were offered to cover different events and skills needed to engage varied audiences.

A mixed-methods approach was used to evaluate FUTURES 2018 with an emphasis on tools that did not detract from participants’ enjoyment of the experience. The overall response rate was 15%. It is expected that FUTURES 2019 will build on these results to showcase diverse research and further inspire participants.

Website & more info

More info: http://www.futures2019.co.uk.