Interact 2024

This event, which spans the physical sciences, offers something for everyone with an interest in improving their public engagement capabilities. It will provide a fantastic opportunity to learn new ways to engage with your audience, a chance to share your experiences and good practice, explore funding routes for engagement, explore activities in the STEM marketplace and discuss how the engagement landscape has changed, especially considering the pandemic. We will also explore how we can build an equitable Covid recovery. Above all, it will be a chance to share your experiences with like-minded people in a fun and friendly environment.

The STFC, IOP, SEPnet, RAS, Ogden Trust and NuSTEM (Northumbria University) are partnering together to develop an inspiring, challenging and refreshing programme on the following key themes:

• Evaluation and impact

Effective evaluation and demonstrate impact. Case studies from REF21

• Reaching audiences underrepresented in the Physical sciences

Digital Engagement gap, community partnership, creating equitable engagement

• Engagement mediums

Creating impactful programmes. In-person, hybrid and online engagement

• Funding routes for engagement

Funding routes and application processes. What makes a successful application?

• Sharing both good practice and a safe space for “what not to do’s"

Understanding your audience, reflective practice and what constitutes high-quality public engagement

The Business & Law Building is in a fantastic location on the East Campus of Northumbria University with excellent facilities. There will an evening reception on the evening of 18th September for delegates arriving early to informally network. The conference will be free to attend and travel and subsistence bursaries will also be available for early career researchers and others who need financial assistance.

Who Can Attend: The Symposium is all STEM Science Researchers including engineering and facility users. Attending can also contribute to your continuing professional development.

Costs: The event is free and open to all. We are offering travel and subsistence bursaries of up to £250 for PhD, postdoctoral researchers, fellows and those within 10 years of their first academic appointment to attend. All you have to do is send an email with a short paragraph justifying your case with “Why do I want to go to Interact 2024” to julie.perrin@stfc.ukri.org

How do I register: This event is free to attend but you will need to register in advance. If you would like to be able to vote on the contents of the programme then please register on this Eventbrite page.

How do I submit a session?: If you would like to consider running a session or workshop then please complete the registration form in addition to registering your attendance by xxxxx . If you also wish to demonstrate your outreach activities there will also be a large exhibition space for you to demonstrate your outreach activities in the marketplace .

We may combine sessions subject to popularity or similar projects and if you are freelance or have no funding support we can provide financial assistance for you to operate a workshop at Interact .

General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR): UKRI and STFC comply with the requirements of the GDPR with regard to the collection, storage, processing and disclosure of personal information and is committed to upholding the GDPR's core data protection principles. A full notice of UKRI's position with regards to Freedom of Information and the GDPR (EU) (2016/679) can be found at https://www.ukri.org/privacy-notice

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy: The purpose of this policy is to ensure equality and fairness for all who attend Interact. By reading and agreeing to these terms and conditions there will be no discrimination on grounds of colour, ethnic or national origin, race, gender, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, religious or political beliefs, marital status or family circumstances. We will not tolerate any form of unlawful or unfair discrimination.

We look forward to seeing you there!