The University of Liverpool’s Faculty of Health and Life Sciences (FHLS) has been recognised with a prestigious award for its outstanding public engagement work.
At an awards ceremony held last night (Wednesday 29 April), the Faculty was awarded the Silver Engage Watermark by the National Co‑ordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE). The award recognises the University’s strong foundations in public engagement and its commitment to growth.
This national quality mark acknowledges universities that have embedded meaningful engagement into their strategic priorities and are actively investing in long-term improvement.
The year‑long assessment reviewed public engagement activity and future plans, with Laura Winters, FHLS Public Engagement Officer, and Dr Jill Madine, FHLS Academic Lead for Public Engagement (both pictured above), playing key roles in project managing the assessment process.
Professor Louise Kenny, Pro Vice Chancellor of the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, said: “Public engagement is at the heart of all our activities, reflecting our commitment to addressing societal challenges, maximising the benefit of our research and co-creating the strategies to do with the communities we serve. I am delighted that the faculty has been recognised by the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement. This award is a testament to our dedication to strengthening public engagement and supports our vision of undertaking world‑leading research with a clear, measurable impact on society.”
Assessors identified that public engagement is valued across the Faculty, not only as a means of widening access and participation, but also as a core element of civic identity and academic contribution. Highlights of the work undertaken by the faculty include:
Meet the Scientists
This long running event series celebrated its 10th year in October 2025. Since 2015, ‘Meet the Scientists’ has engaged over 29,000 visitors through 29 events and 200+ hands-on activities, creative crafts, experiments, and live demonstrations delivered by researchers, students, and staff passionate about sharing science. Led by the University’s Faculty of Health and Life Sciences and run in partnership with National Museums Liverpool, the programme connects the public with the latest research from across the University in engaging and interactive ways.
Pint of Science
Since 2017 the Faculty has co-ordinated Pint of Science Liverpool, with staff and students from across the University taking part in this global science festival, which sees scientists discuss and share their findings with the public in local pubs every May. Over the last 9 years, 75 different University of Liverpool Pint of Science events have taken place, over 280 staff & students have given a talk, and more than 3,300 people have attended an event. Pint of Science will be returning to Liverpool this May from 18 – 20 May. Find out more here.
Faculty Grants Scheme
The Faculty Public Engagement Grants Scheme and Participatory Research Fund has supported 53 different public engagement projects in the last three years, enabling staff and students to share their work with a wide range of audiences, and to co-produce research with members of the public. You can find out more about some of these projects here.
Paul Manners, Co‑director of the NCCPE, said: “Public engagement is clearly valued across the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences at the University of Liverpool and we are delighted to award the Faculty a Silver Engage Watermark.
“The strong ethos of social responsibility, together with effective leadership and the embedding of public engagement across the Faculty, is evident in work that addresses real‑world challenges through research, collaboration and knowledge exchange.”
He continued: “We were impressed by the Faculty’s well‑regarded support infrastructure, the visible commitment shown across departments and the clarity of its action plan. These strengths, combined with the resolute commitment of senior leaders provide a powerful foundation for the future. We are delighted to recognise the Faculty’s achievements through this award.”
Read more about the Watermark and Public Engagement within the Faculty, including the launch of its Public Engagement commitment here.