BSA Community Engagement by Kate https://padlet.com/kateorchard/cwl7nmgov544smbo en-us 2022-06-27 10:57:51 UTC 2023-07-26 09:22:21 UTC hello@padlet.com Involving researchers - The Ideas Fund chrismanion https://padlet.com/kateorchard/cwl7nmgov544smbo/wish/2231361346
  • What is inspiring/unique, purpose of the programmes
    • Scale, place based, new grant making approach, flexible funding.
    • Linking communities with researchers, on their terms, looking at ideas around mental wellbeing.
    • Engaging branding, strong links and developing footprint in the four areas. Relationships with projects and Development Co-ordinators, as well as reach into place-based institutions.
    • Ability to test the model in different locations.
    • Learning partnership outputs/approach to help influence change beyond our four areas.
    • Wellcome's backing will probably help with the convening and influencing opportunities.

    2. What have we learnt?

    A number of common themes through project monitoring received, from logistical barriers (ethics etc), to the validation felt by working with researchers, as well as insights into when it doesn't work!

    Often the starting point is not about engaging around research specifically, more about building a relationship, support for their project activities etc. How can funders adapt to this?

    The huge gap that exists between community sector and academia. But opportunity to promote the benefits for both sides.

    Various 'enquiries' completed around inspirational practice, state of the sector, indicators of a healthy system etc.

    3. What opportunities are there?

    Infrastructure funding and 'intervening' in the system, late 2022.

    'Network' of projects that can learn from each other, as well as access to groups embedded in overlooked communities that we can build a relationship with.

    Possibility of communities and researchers developing long term, sustained relationships and 'graduating' out of the Fund.

    4. Issues/challenges/gaps

    Link up the learning with UKRI initiatives.

    Bringing the 'sector' along with us, co-ordinating with others.

    ]]>     2022-06-27 10:58:47 UTC https://padlet.com/kateorchard/cwl7nmgov544smbo/wish/2231361346     Community Leaders https://padlet.com/kateorchard/cwl7nmgov544smbo/wish/2231361516 1. What is inspiring/unique, purpose of the programmes
    • Diversity and geographical reach - UK regions 
    • Variety Comm. orgs  (type, size, scope, audience, reach)
    • Longstanding bonds w/. CL's/groups, identification with the BSA, trusted organisation and (start of) connecting to science/engagement / research sector 
    • Grew from micro grants – (developmental) relationships – more than just money
    •  Insight/ reach into expertise & under represented groups BSA would struggle to engage/reach as the BSA, e.g. traveller, people living w/ additional needs/disabilities, lived experience, rural/urban, lower socio-econ. groups etc.

    2. What have we learnt?
    • Motivation to Leaders - 'make a difference' & social impact in their community. Learn from BSA/Leaders.
    •  Value for groups - builds motivation & understanding, a new networks & connection with BSA and other Leaders doing similar work 
    • Upskilling building confidence of CLs (different 'stages' of experience/starting points) 
    • BSA connecting with UK wide community organisations and underrepresented/served groups - who we'd otherwise not reach.

    3. What opportunities are there?
    • Programme scale - small numbers but growing network
    • Engaging Leaders beyond/after Buddies prog.
    • Consultation/co-creation/involve CEN in the development of the programme / offer - and be more explicit about 'where we want Leaders to 'be' in future - i.e. is it about the research sector? is it about having a local voice in research/science? (we say this alot but what does that look like for a small community group?).
    4. Issues/challenges/gaps
    BSA consider partnerships / allegiances needed to form with Third Sector as well as other funders, universities / RI sector influencing.
    Difficulties of building and continuing sense of network among Leaders during and after formal programme
    ]]>     2022-06-27 10:59:08 UTC https://padlet.com/kateorchard/cwl7nmgov544smbo/wish/2231361516     Involving researchers - Community Buddies https://padlet.com/kateorchard/cwl7nmgov544smbo/wish/2231361576 1. What is inspiring/unique, purpose of the programmes
    • Inspiring as ‘opens doors’ and builds new relationships - connects Leaders from UK wide regions with researchers - not initially about a grant or project 
    • Buddy Pairs who seemingly have little in common at the start [n terms of the scientific discipline], building equitable relationships that lead to unique engagement / projects as a result
    • Community Groups already connected to research/institutions gave freedom to develop a mutual relationship by taking a relational ‘People before Programme’ approach  
    • Helping researcher and particular community groups understand each other – and in some cases the change/impact they want to see as a result of working together.

    2. What have we learnt?
    • Importance of having pairs local / in same region.  
    • Value of place-based - researchers and leaders highlighted connection to people/place, the change/s they want to see / positive impacts they want to have – especially at the project stage 
    • We know (after 2 year pilot) why it’s helpful and important to researchers: their work, their organisation, their discipline 
    • Bringing researchers ‘out of their comfort zone’ to think about their research/engagement differently.
    • Leads to creative/unique/co-created projects.

    3. What opportunities are there?
    • Co-creation – community of practice – giving buddies space to contribute – both directions. Taster/sharing sessions examples from research and community partnerships. Approach & ways of working not just projects/outputs
    • Recruit a mix of research experience (1st 2x years) researchers with less engagement/participatory experience 
    • Unknown – need to know more about host university organisations to support/engage.
    • Consider how people are matched – re academic discipline, community connection as well as self-selecting researchers applying by EOI.

    4.  Issues/challenges/gaps
    • What next - offer after the Buddy programme.
    • Individual researcher vs. org/university systemic impact 
    • Appeal to Leaders already connected to researchers or research organisations
    • Recognise wider participatory approaches in research
    • Projects – encourage Buddies to innovate. Do something new or differently as a result of working together.
    ]]>     2022-06-27 10:59:15 UTC https://padlet.com/kateorchard/cwl7nmgov544smbo/wish/2231361576     Community Grants/Community engagement network https://padlet.com/kateorchard/cwl7nmgov544smbo/wish/2231361824 1. Inspiration/purpose
    • National network of 840 Community representatives linked to the BSA
    • Part of creating long term relationships w/ CLs & communities
    • Community grants as a 'gateway' to science engagement and opportunity to develop relationships with groups.
    2. What opportunities are there?
    • Audience insight and analysis of the network 
    • Utilise the network; co-creation & programme development, 
    • Develop different 'levels' of engagement w/ BSA & our work - 
    3. Issues/challenges/gaps
    • Comprised of grant applicants/self selecting
    • Mix of grassroot organisations/more traditional "community" organisations and more activity providers (STEM activity groups, museums, etc).
    • Exploring our reach and nurturing relationships with our networks (both in our grant programmes and those we are connecting to not necessarily funding)
    • Mechanisms for co-creation, consultation and sense checking (advisory boards, existing programmes)
    • Linking with partner organisations (creating joint offers and supporting wider science / research sector engagement.)


    ]]>     2022-06-27 10:59:30 UTC https://padlet.com/kateorchard/cwl7nmgov544smbo/wish/2231361824     Involving researchers: H&I climate change community grants https://padlet.com/kateorchard/cwl7nmgov544smbo/wish/2231362057 1. What is inspiring/unique, purpose of the programmes
    • Placed based programme, responding to local/regional H&I climate needs
    • Strong need & appetite in communities and types of research approach (independent and university based)
    • Participatory grant making (community panel).
    2. What have we learnt?
    • Grass roots community activity in Climate Change - real opportunity for collaboration with research (Development Trusts, Climate change activist groups, Island community networks, Schools/community centres)
    • Regional engagement coordinator and forming a stakeholder group - embed approach/legacy.
    3. What opportunities are there?
    • 6 month programme only a starting point 
    • Opportunity to carry out further grass roots climate change/research partnerships.
    4. Issues/ challenges/ gaps
    Short term programme with no follow up. Legacy dependent on regional stakeholders.

    ]]>     2022-06-27 10:59:57 UTC https://padlet.com/kateorchard/cwl7nmgov544smbo/wish/2231362057     Making Connections kateorchard https://padlet.com/kateorchard/cwl7nmgov544smbo/wish/2231362535 1. What is inspiring/unique, purpose of the programmes
    • Develop collaborations between active researchers and community partners
    • Projects take place in informal settings
    • Facilitated by science festivals
    • Target audience: young people over 11, under-represented.

    2. What have we learnt?
    • Shift in the relationship with science, including feeling more open to engaging with science and more optimistic about working with researchers 
    • Sense of relatability between participants and researchers 
    • Projects must strive to be relevant, relationship-oriented and meet the community groups where they are.
       
    3. Opportunities?
    • Community partners could have more ownership in the relationship/project. Power dynamics
    • Building on the relationship: opportunities for legacy, longer term and more ambitious projects
    • Better understanding the long-term impact of the projects.

    4. Issues/challenges/gaps
    • Smaller/volunteer-led festivals have less resource/confidence to apply for funding
    • Encourage project partners to think about the long term impact of the project instead of a one off event
    • How can we run Making Connections projects in locations with no science festivals? 





    ]]>     2022-06-27 11:00:55 UTC https://padlet.com/kateorchard/cwl7nmgov544smbo/wish/2231362535     Festival https://padlet.com/kateorchard/cwl7nmgov544smbo/wish/2231362664 1. What is inspiring/unique, purpose of the programmes
    • Festival as celebration. Perception of science/research
    • Showcasing research
    • Scale. Over 100 events
    • Multiple stakeholders/venues
    • Science/cultural engagement.

    2. What have we learnt?
    • Festival is a good platform to test new approaches to public engagement
    • Community grants to engage inactive audiences.

    3. Opportunities?
    • New festival model to target under-represented audiences
    • Legacy for audiences and host organisation 
    • More co-produced programmes.

    4. Issues/challenges/gaps
    • Skills on co-production
    • Location based on need/financial position of host university
    • Longer planning and delivery cycle.
    ]]>     2022-06-27 11:01:10 UTC https://padlet.com/kateorchard/cwl7nmgov544smbo/wish/2231362664     Involving researchers - Community Led Research Pilot kateorchard https://padlet.com/kateorchard/cwl7nmgov544smbo/wish/2231362671 1. What is inspiring/unique, purpose of the programmes
    • Co-created with communities deciding their own research questions
    • Engagement led by CRs and ECR's 
    • Systemic change within the University
    • Legacy: skills, ways of working, partnerships, investment in change and possible stakeholder funding to build on the programme.
    2. What have we learnt? (early reflections)
    • Time to engage with universities with their competing demands e.g. around exams time
    • CR training has focused on the technical skills rather than the more rounded interpersonal skills, culture, insight into communities
    • University staff can access additional internal funds (like endowments) to support more innovative work.
    3. What opportunities are there?
    • Roll out the model in different locations.
    • How this links with current UKRI pilot programmes (Community Knowledge Fund, Community Research Networks), Ideas Fund and wider research sector activity (e.g. Research Councils).

    4. Issues/challenges/gaps
    • Currently - timescales - setting up partnerships and initial community recruitment takes time to do meaningfully as a foundation to programmes - as essential as the 'delivery'. (needs consideration for future roll out).
    ]]>     2022-06-27 11:01:12 UTC https://padlet.com/kateorchard/cwl7nmgov544smbo/wish/2231362671