The Faculty of Health and Life Sciences have shared their annual Public Engagement report for the academic year 2023-2024. The Faculty Public Engagement team gathers a wealth of data on the outstanding public engagement (PE) initiatives across the Faculty. This report offers a chance to share, showcase, and celebrate the remarkable achievements of the past academic year.
It’s been a record-breaking year, with over 200 staff and students participating in PE activities and more than 13,000 members of the public attending events! Flagship events Meet the Scientists and Pint of Science went from strength to strength, with Meet the Scientists bringing over 800 visitors to the World Museum and Pint of Science heading to venues on the Wirral for the very first time. The University of Liverpool was also part of the North West hub for FameLab, the world’s largest science communication competition. Bethany Facer, a PhD student in ISMIB was crowned North West winner, going on to compete in the national final at Cheltenham Science Festival with her talk about neuroimaging and Parkinson’s Disease. You can read more about Beth’s experience here. Researchers from across the Faculty also attended a range of festivals across the country to share their work – from Cheltenham Science Festival to Africa Oye closer to home.
Alongside these public facing events, the team ran a number of internal initiatives to support staff and students on their public engagement journey, including training opportunities, grant schemes and a University-wide showcase event. Additionally, the team launched a new Faculty-wide public engagement strategy and website, a significant step in sharing the innovative and exciting science happening in the University.
Professor Claire Eyers, Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Impact at the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences said: “This report highlights the Faculty’s commitment to community involvement and enhancing public understanding of health and life sciences through our many activities and sets the future vision with the launch of our new public engagement strategy. Through science festivals, lunchtime talks at Ness Gardens, and notable programs such as Pint of Science (now in its 7th year!), and FameLab, we showcased how the work we do can be made accessible and interesting for all – providing a platform for all ages to explore cutting-edge research.”
The report cna be viewed online here.
If you would like any information about public engagement or would like to get involved with future events, you can contact us at HLSEngagement@liverpool.ac.uk, join our Teams site or check out the HLS Public Engagement website.