Explorathon 2022-2023 - European Researchers' Night Scotland
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Strathclyde
Department Name: Research and Knowledge Exchange Services
Abstract
European Researchers' Night Scotland - an exciting pan Scotland showcase of research and researchers! Our project brings together
key Universities in Scotland and will inspire audience and communities with the latest, cutting edge research. We will demonstrate
the relevance of research to everyday lives, bring researchers into schools, allow researchers to share their stories and promote
research as an enviable career path. Our project follows the principles of Responsible Research and Innovation and will deliver
inclusive events to a diverse set of audiences and reflecting the diversity of researchers working in Scotland today.
key Universities in Scotland and will inspire audience and communities with the latest, cutting edge research. We will demonstrate
the relevance of research to everyday lives, bring researchers into schools, allow researchers to share their stories and promote
research as an enviable career path. Our project follows the principles of Responsible Research and Innovation and will deliver
inclusive events to a diverse set of audiences and reflecting the diversity of researchers working in Scotland today.
Organisations
| Title | Graphic Recording of Explorathon 2023 |
| Description | A series of three hand drawn A1 pictures capturing the activities that ran on the day of Explorathon Extravaganza at the Riverside Museum (2023). The images were recorded by an independent graphic artist employed by Explorathon and form part of the outputs of the activity. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Impact | Artwork has sparked conversations about public engagement and impact across the institution and raised awareness of the funding available to support outreach activities. |
| Description | Explorathon is part of a European-wide public engagement initiative 'European Researchers' Night' and delivered by a consortium of Scottish Universities. In 2023, this was University of Aberdeen, University of Glasgow, University of St Andrews, and University of Strathclyde. The focus of the programme is to create opportunities for research staff and students to engage in dialogue with a wide range of audiences and to share the stories of their research and the people involved. Explorathon 2023 was funded by the UKRI's Guarantee Fund, supporting an exciting programme of in-person and online events delivered across Scotland. The project involved the following activities and outcomes in 2023: * A total audience of 7,479 (7, 124 in-person public, 226 in-person & online school, 129 online public): 3,290 of those from events arranged by the University of Strathclyde * 58 events (36 public in-person, 20 schools, 2 online): which includes 11 in-person activities as part of the University of Strathclyde's contribution * 377 university staff and students involved (272 staff, 105 students): In the University of Strathclyde this include 10 academic departments covering multiple research areas humanities, social sciences, engineering and sciences. * 70.8% of staff and students identified as female or non-binary/prefer to self-describe. * 594 social media posts created, with a total engagement (views, likes, retweets, comments etc) of 264, 538 * Explorathon: - gave researchers the opportunity to build their confidence and develop and apply skills in public engagement. Over 50% of those involved were new to Explorathon and 16.4% new to delivering any public engagement activities at all. In addition, over 40% reported being much more confident in delivering activity. - fostered positive attitudes towards research institutions with 97.4% of public audiences reported that they enjoyed the event, and 90.5% felt more aware of what researchers do and the relevance of their research to society. - developed events in partnership with non-academic groups and using non-traditional venues and methods to promote inclusivity. 42 non-university partner organisations were involved in Explorathon 2023, many of these partnerships are expected to continue to develop and ensure future collaborations. This includes the Riverside Museum in Glasgow which worked in particular with the University of Strathclyde. - brought research to the public, particularly those who don't usually engage with universities, by specifically targeting underserved communities 13.3% of audiences live in areas designated as the 20% most deprived in Scotland (Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation, 2020). Of the 397 responses to evaluation questionnaires about ethnicity, 73.9% responded as 'white' 17.9% were BAME/ other and 8.3% preferred not to say. As 94.5% of the Scottish population is white, this shows a very positive outcome in reaching ethnically diverse audiences. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2022 |
| Sector | Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
| Impact Types | Cultural Societal |
| Description | Explorathon Extravaganza |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A day of tabletop activities at the Riverside Museum in Glasgow. Researchers and research groups talked to the general public about their research and its impact in the real world in an accessible way and invited them to try hands on activities or practical demonstrations of research in action. Attendee feedback was very positive and several requests for additional activities of this nature were made. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Explorathon Extravaganza 2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | An afternoon of interactive activities relating to University of Strathclyde research held at the Riverside Museum, Glasgow. Members of the public were invited to take part in a treasure trail visiting one of 14 stations to take part in activities and learn about the impact of live research. The members of the public were very enthusiastic and we met with two teachers who would like to recreate this in their school setting |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |