FUTURES 2024-25: IMAGINING TOMORROWS TOGETHER
Lead Research Organisation:
UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
Department Name: Research & Development Support Unit
Abstract
FUTURES 2024-25: Imagining Tomorrows Together is an ambitious, dynamic festival programme of in-person and digital events that engages citizens with research. A consortium of South West England's five leading universities will work with over 575 researchers and a range of cultural venues, creative practitioners, artists and citizens to deliver a research festival like no other. The 46 events taking place on European Researchers' Nights in 2024 and 2025 and our Researchers in Schools programme will bring science, culture and research to life in exciting ways, and invite participants to explore how research is tackling big issues we face today and imagine future tomorrows together. Researchers will head out into large cities of Bristol, Bath, Exeter and Plymouth, and rural areas of Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall, sharing their work in churches, museums, shopping centres, pubs, theatres, nature reserves, the airwaves and online. Our awareness-raising campaign will reach 1.5 million people. FUTURES 2024-25 is underpinned by principles of inspiration, inclusivity, accessibility, fun, learning, and discovery. We will break down barriers between research and society by creating opportunities for citizens to participate, engage, challenge and enjoy. Activities will be developed with cultural venues, artists and creative practitioners to create audience-specific events where participants can engage with and be inspired by research. Our community-led activities and Researchers in Schools programme will support the development of sustained relationships between researchers and citizens such as educators and community groups. Sound management by experienced partners, with a track record of successful multi-partner projects, with a carefully constructed budget, clarity of roles, significant inkind contribution from all partners, and an independent evaluation using a mixed methods approach, will ensure that the project reaches its objectives and is good value for money.
| Description | FUTURES 24.25 |
| Organisation | Bath Spa University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Always a collaborative bid to MSCA, building on existing collaboration, with the roles and designations as follows: Bristol led Work Package 2 Activities and WP4 Management and contributed to WP3 Researchers in Schools and WP5 Evaluation. Bath led WP5 Evaluation, contributing to WP2 and WP3 Activities. Plymouth led WP1 Awareness Raising and WP3 Researchers in Schools and contributed to WP2 Activities and WP5 Evaluation. Exeter contributed to WP2 Activities and WP3 Researchers in Schools. Bath Spa University contributed to WP2 and WP3 as a key partner. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Always a collaborative bid to MSCA, building on existing collaboration, with the roles and designations as follows: Bristol led Work Package 2 Activities and WP4 Management and contributed to WP3 Researchers in Schools and WP5 Evaluation. Bath led WP5 Evaluation, contributing to WP2 and WP3 Activities. Plymouth led WP1 Awareness Raising and WP3 Researchers in Schools and contributed to WP2 Activities and WP5 Evaluation. Exeter contributed to WP2 Activities and WP3 Researchers in Schools. Bath Spa University contributed to WP2 and WP3 as a key partner. |
| Impact | Always a collaborative bid to MSCA, building on existing collaboration, with the roles and designations as follows: Bristol led Work Package 2 Activities and WP4 Management and contributed to WP3 Researchers in Schools and WP5 Evaluation. Bath led WP5 Evaluation, contributing to WP2 and WP3 Activities. Plymouth led WP1 Awareness Raising and WP3 Researchers in Schools and contributed to WP2 Activities and WP5 Evaluation. Exeter contributed to WP2 Activities and WP3 Researchers in Schools. Bath Spa University contributed to WP2 and WP3 as a key partner. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | FUTURES 24.25 |
| Organisation | University of Bath |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Always a collaborative bid to MSCA, building on existing collaboration, with the roles and designations as follows: Bristol led Work Package 2 Activities and WP4 Management and contributed to WP3 Researchers in Schools and WP5 Evaluation. Bath led WP5 Evaluation, contributing to WP2 and WP3 Activities. Plymouth led WP1 Awareness Raising and WP3 Researchers in Schools and contributed to WP2 Activities and WP5 Evaluation. Exeter contributed to WP2 Activities and WP3 Researchers in Schools. Bath Spa University contributed to WP2 and WP3 as a key partner. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Always a collaborative bid to MSCA, building on existing collaboration, with the roles and designations as follows: Bristol led Work Package 2 Activities and WP4 Management and contributed to WP3 Researchers in Schools and WP5 Evaluation. Bath led WP5 Evaluation, contributing to WP2 and WP3 Activities. Plymouth led WP1 Awareness Raising and WP3 Researchers in Schools and contributed to WP2 Activities and WP5 Evaluation. Exeter contributed to WP2 Activities and WP3 Researchers in Schools. Bath Spa University contributed to WP2 and WP3 as a key partner. |
| Impact | Always a collaborative bid to MSCA, building on existing collaboration, with the roles and designations as follows: Bristol led Work Package 2 Activities and WP4 Management and contributed to WP3 Researchers in Schools and WP5 Evaluation. Bath led WP5 Evaluation, contributing to WP2 and WP3 Activities. Plymouth led WP1 Awareness Raising and WP3 Researchers in Schools and contributed to WP2 Activities and WP5 Evaluation. Exeter contributed to WP2 Activities and WP3 Researchers in Schools. Bath Spa University contributed to WP2 and WP3 as a key partner. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | FUTURES 24.25 |
| Organisation | University of Exeter |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Always a collaborative bid to MSCA, building on existing collaboration, with the roles and designations as follows: Bristol led Work Package 2 Activities and WP4 Management and contributed to WP3 Researchers in Schools and WP5 Evaluation. Bath led WP5 Evaluation, contributing to WP2 and WP3 Activities. Plymouth led WP1 Awareness Raising and WP3 Researchers in Schools and contributed to WP2 Activities and WP5 Evaluation. Exeter contributed to WP2 Activities and WP3 Researchers in Schools. Bath Spa University contributed to WP2 and WP3 as a key partner. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Always a collaborative bid to MSCA, building on existing collaboration, with the roles and designations as follows: Bristol led Work Package 2 Activities and WP4 Management and contributed to WP3 Researchers in Schools and WP5 Evaluation. Bath led WP5 Evaluation, contributing to WP2 and WP3 Activities. Plymouth led WP1 Awareness Raising and WP3 Researchers in Schools and contributed to WP2 Activities and WP5 Evaluation. Exeter contributed to WP2 Activities and WP3 Researchers in Schools. Bath Spa University contributed to WP2 and WP3 as a key partner. |
| Impact | Always a collaborative bid to MSCA, building on existing collaboration, with the roles and designations as follows: Bristol led Work Package 2 Activities and WP4 Management and contributed to WP3 Researchers in Schools and WP5 Evaluation. Bath led WP5 Evaluation, contributing to WP2 and WP3 Activities. Plymouth led WP1 Awareness Raising and WP3 Researchers in Schools and contributed to WP2 Activities and WP5 Evaluation. Exeter contributed to WP2 Activities and WP3 Researchers in Schools. Bath Spa University contributed to WP2 and WP3 as a key partner. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | FUTURES 24.25 |
| Organisation | University of Plymouth |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Always a collaborative bid to MSCA, building on existing collaboration, with the roles and designations as follows: Bristol led Work Package 2 Activities and WP4 Management and contributed to WP3 Researchers in Schools and WP5 Evaluation. Bath led WP5 Evaluation, contributing to WP2 and WP3 Activities. Plymouth led WP1 Awareness Raising and WP3 Researchers in Schools and contributed to WP2 Activities and WP5 Evaluation. Exeter contributed to WP2 Activities and WP3 Researchers in Schools. Bath Spa University contributed to WP2 and WP3 as a key partner. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Always a collaborative bid to MSCA, building on existing collaboration, with the roles and designations as follows: Bristol led Work Package 2 Activities and WP4 Management and contributed to WP3 Researchers in Schools and WP5 Evaluation. Bath led WP5 Evaluation, contributing to WP2 and WP3 Activities. Plymouth led WP1 Awareness Raising and WP3 Researchers in Schools and contributed to WP2 Activities and WP5 Evaluation. Exeter contributed to WP2 Activities and WP3 Researchers in Schools. Bath Spa University contributed to WP2 and WP3 as a key partner. |
| Impact | Always a collaborative bid to MSCA, building on existing collaboration, with the roles and designations as follows: Bristol led Work Package 2 Activities and WP4 Management and contributed to WP3 Researchers in Schools and WP5 Evaluation. Bath led WP5 Evaluation, contributing to WP2 and WP3 Activities. Plymouth led WP1 Awareness Raising and WP3 Researchers in Schools and contributed to WP2 Activities and WP5 Evaluation. Exeter contributed to WP2 Activities and WP3 Researchers in Schools. Bath Spa University contributed to WP2 and WP3 as a key partner. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Climate Change and Gardening 2024 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | 268 people attended the Climate Change and Gardening panel at St. Mary's Church in Totnes on the 27th of September as part FUTURES. Panellists included Frances Tophill and researchers from the University of Exeter (Sarah Gurr), University of Plymouth (Anne Plessis), and University of Bristol (Pete Falloon). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Discovery Talks 2024 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | 4 researchers delivered talks to a public audience at the SS Great Britain, as part of a broader Up Late takeover of the venue. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Do Try This At Home 2024 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | 22 Researchers created activity sheets that detailed activities or experiments people could do at home in order to learn a little about their research. These could be downloaded from the FUTURES website as PDFs. 188 people downloaded these resources. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | FUTURES Invention Challenge 2025 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | In collaboration with the popular YouTube channel (67,500 subscribers) Kids Invent Stuff, children and young people were invited to submit an invention for the FUTURES Invention Challenge. 8-year-old Ebba submission of an electric bike bed by the Kids Invent Stuff team with hilarious consequences. The team worked with University of Bath technician Florence Richardson to explore the features of the bed and how it could make her life as a technician easier. The film has received 4,096 views and continues to attract views on the Kids Invent Stuff YouTube channel. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDrnW3lTaqY&t=4s |
| Description | FUTURES On Air 2024 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | FUTURES on Air in 2024 kicked off with a residential weekend on the Dartington Estate that brought together 48 researchers, community radio programme makers and activists. Hosted by Stellaria Media, the team created audio content that explored a range of issues around social impacts of housing shortage in rural areas, buses, joblessness rates among young people across and the role of the media in countering disinformation. The content created was broadcast on four community radio stations over autumn 2024 and has reached an estimated 9,700 listeners. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Fungi Foray 2024 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Researchers from the Milner Centre for Evolution led a day of activities that delved into the science and natural history of fungi. Over the course of the day 51 people joined eight researchers on fungi walks at Smallcombe Wood, got hands-on with activities to test their fungi identification skills and heard about the latest studies on fungi. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Holburne Up Late 2024 |
| 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 | Led by University of Bath's Dr Sandra Darcozi, with support from the Public Engagement Unit, the Holborne Up Late event explored the theme of storytelling where 233 people met 15 researchers. Through an open call to colleagues at the University, researchers from the departments of Education, Social & Policy Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Politics, Languages & International Studies and Architecture & Civil Engineering devised activities that were inspired by the museum's collection and their own research. This included a theatre workshop on the Indian myth of the Golden Deer, a hands-on workshop creating storybooks based to understand the experiences of children affected by conflict and natural disaster, story writing workshops retelling classical myths and stories, interactive activities building sustainable homes and exploring rocket science. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | I'm a Researcher Ask Me Anything 2024 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Users of the r/IAMA Reddit pages were invited to ask researchers questions about their work on several dates over the Autumn. Researchers then logged in and spent one hour answering questions and having conversations with Reddit users. The sessions included a range of research including social dynamics of dolphins, nanotechnology to tackle cancer and next generation prosthetics. In total five researchers engaged with 746 Reddit users. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Killer Fungus Experience 2024 |
| 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 | 217 people participated in the Killer Fungus Experience - an escape room developed and put on by the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology as part of FUTURES. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Nature-Gram 2024 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Leif Bersweden and Lucy Hodson, naturalists and Instagram content creators, went on an expedition of the South West, exploring the rich natural heritage of the region and meeting some of the people working to conserve and protect this biodiversity. Between Tuesday 24 and Saturday 28 September, the pair took users of the social media platform Instagram with them as they cycled, walked and travelled by train from Falmouth to Bristol city centre sharing the animals and plants that are found across the South West across diverse natural habitats including urban landscapes, temperate rainforest, peatland and rocky shores. Over the course of the five days, they produced a range of video and photographic content that was broadcast on their channels and gained 63,978 active engagements which include views of videos (reels and stories) and likes, saves and comments on photos (grid posts). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Ocean Commotion 2024 |
| 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 | Hosted in collaboration with The Box, to compliment the Planet Ocean exhibition, Ecotoxicologist Anneliese Hodge talked about why protecting ourselves from the sun with sunscreen may be harming marine life. Joining in the activities for all interests and audiences were the Ocean Conservation Trust with their "Meet the Marine Park" stand, which focuses on the UK's first National Marine Park in Plymouth: OCT - Meet the Marine Park. Throughout the day, 4 researchers interacted with 228 people across both activities and spaces. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Pop-Up Curiosity Shop of Science and Culture 2024 |
| 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 | 651 people attended the Pop-Up Curiosity Shop of Science and Culture at Princesshay in Exeter on the 28th and 29th of September with another 186 involved in five Walkie Talkies, two workshops, a research treasure hunt, and a mural launch. Forty-five researchers from the University of Exeter were involved in the delivery of these activities over the weekend, making the event a success! |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Researchers Mural 2024 |
| 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 | Artist Josephine Birch painted, in situ, a mural referencing the research included in the pop-up shop which was seen by 4,500 people who passed by over the course of the weekend. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Test Tubes and Time Travel 2024 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Test Tubes and Time Travel was an immersive location-based digital walking tour of the City of Bath led by award-winning theatre company Kilter. Participants went on a 'choose your own adventure' tour and using innovative app-based technology on their smart phones were taken across to the city to visit locations to discover the stories behind Bath's historic scientific pioneers. Along the way they met three contemporary scientists and engineers from the University of Bath working on some of the big issues in society today such as vaccine production, sustainable building development and technology to detect cancer. 116 people went on the walk between Friday 27 September and Sunday 29 September. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | The Big Talk - Harnessing the Ocean's Energy with Prof. Deborah Greaves 2024 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | In this public lecture Professor Deborah Greaves shared the latest advances toward a future of widespread, eco-friendly ocean power with Plymouth leading the way. We had 50 adult attendees - a mix of the public, researchers, students and a group of visitors. We expect the You Tube video to produce between 150 - 200 viewings across the lifespan of the project (Sept 24 - Dec 25) and to remain on line for further viewings |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=GTeCGiWYgJY |
| Description | Up Late at SS Great Britain 2024 |
| 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 | On a Friday evening, FUTURES "took over" the grounds of Isambard Kingdom Brunel's historic ship, the SS Great Britain. Families visited for free (normally SSGB costs £48 for a family) and took part in a host of fun interactive hands-on demonstrations. Families received a map which led them through different areas of the SS Great Britain grounds through the Ship itself, the Being Brunel Museum, and the Virador Theatre. The 68 researchers from University of Bristol and University of Bath staffed research exhibits that were based amongst the maritime exhibits and immersive historical environment. The evening was attended by a diverse range of local families, particularly those with younger children, young people and adults attending with friends. Coach travel was also provided for diverse communities in Bristol. A total of 358 people attended. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Voyage of Discovery 2024 |
| 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 | Voyage of Discovery 2024 took place on Saturday 05 October from 10:00 -16:00 at the Royal William Yard, an historic venue and an award-winning waterside destination and community in the heart of Plymouth. Families were invited to drop-in and learn about the immersive world of science, technology, health, policing, and art in an interactive showcase for all ages. Researchers offered hands on activities and talks in robotics, history, the environment, dentistry, an augmented reality Sandbox and even looking at crabs as pets! Families were able to discover the wonder of science, technology, and art. 63 researchers were involved with 26 stands. 1,589 people attended the event (inc GEO-Walks). The majority were families, along with some students and older people |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://youtu.be/GrdaEMrQf8M |
| Description | Walkie Talkies 24 |
| 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 | Researcher led Walks and Talks were delivered for a general public audience. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |