Public engagement is a vital component of the research process enriching the questions, ensuring methodological rigour and high -impact. Yet public engagement is complex, diverse and challenging. The aim of the ‘Public Engagement Matters in Welfare, Health and Wellbeing’ seminar series is to enable critical dialogue about public engagement and offer an environment for sharing best practice in public engagement work. Two one-day seminars will draw together experts from Brunel University, partner UK HEIs and from non-academic audiences to debate the issues.

Programme

SEMINAR 1 Who are our 'publics' and how, when and why do we engage with them?

This seminar will focus on the significance of public engagement and map out the public engagement landscape in the UK and from a global perspective. It will also explore the potentials and challenges of different methods of public engagement.

Session 1 Mapping the public landscape – UK and Global Perspectives

9.30-10.00 Registration and tea / coffee

10.00-10.10 Introduction and Welcome

Professor Louise Mansfield- Brunel University London

10.10-10.30 Opening Address - Why public engagement matters

Professor Akram Khan -Brunel University London

10.30-10.55 Public engagement and knowledge exchange in ‘The Acting Class’

Professor Michael Wayne - Brunel University London

10.55-11.20 What works for wellbeing in culture and sport – UK stakeholder engagement in diverse communities of experts.

Professor Louise Mansfield and Professor Christina Victor -Brunel University London

11.20-11.35 Tea/coffee

11.35-12.00 On Xenophobia – public engagement in international contexts

Dr Sarah Penny- Brunel University London

12.00-12.25 Global perspectives on public engagement

Dr Iain Lindsey -University of Durham

12.25-13.15 Lunch and Networking

Session 2 Methods for public engagement

13.15-13.40 Public Engagement and Visual Data: exploring the possibilities and limitations of developing photographic exhibitions

Dr Wendy Martin- Brunel University London

Dr Katy Pilcher- Aston University

13.40-14.05 Involving the public through performance, interaction, tactile and multisensorial immersion

Professor Johannes Birringer -Brunel University London

14.05-14.20 Tea / Coffee

14.20-14.45 Public engagement through partnership working: priorities, possibilities and problems

Dr Emma Wainwright & Dr Ellen McHugh- Brunel University London

14.45-15.10 Translation and dissemination for public engagement about wellbeing in the UK

Nancy Hey Director, What Works Centre for Wellbeing

15.10-15.55 Seminar 1 Panel Discussion-Reflections on best practice in public engagement

Chair -Professor Louise Mansfield

Panel Members- Nancy Hey, Dr Iain Lindsey, Professor Michael Wayne, Professor Johannes Birringer and Professor Akram Khan

15.55-16.00 Seminar Close

Professor Louise Mansfield- Brunel University London