Warwick chosen to receive funding to involve public in research

The University of Warwick has been chosen to receive funding to help the public become more involved and informed in research.

The University will be receiving the award from Research Councils UK (RCUK) as part of its Public Engagement with Research Catalyst Seed Fund (CSF). It is designed to ensure that engaging the public becomes an integral part of the research process.

Professor Pam Thomas in Warwick's Department of Physics will be coordinating the initiative. She said: "We are delighted to be part of this national project to embed public engagement in research culture.

"Engaging the public is vital to the research process and enhances the quality of the research and its societal significance."

The total amount for the year will be £115,000 made up of RCUK and university matched funding including a sum drawn from Warwick's Higher Education Innovation Funding (HEIF) allocation for the coming year.

Nine other awards are being made to other universities for public engagement over the next 12 months. Activity at Warwick began at the start of September.

The RCUK is issuing the funding to build on the successes and momentum generated by previous projects the Catalyst funding and the Beacons for Public Engagement initiative. The funding will help to catalyse change by ensuring that engaging the public becomes an integral part of the research process. Specifically, the CSF will provide flexible funding directly to universities to help create a culture where excellent public engagement with research is better embedded within the institution and appropriately included within its policies, procedures and practices.

Professor John Womersley, RCUK's Champion for Public Engagement with Research and Chief Executive of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), said: "Public engagement is an integral part of research and improves both its quality and impact. We know that researchers are more likely to participate in public engagement if they have the support of their institution. This Catalyst Seed Funding will support infrastructure and cultural change within the funded universities and help researchers to engage with schools and the wider community."

Provided by University of Warwick