Activity highlights

We share our work and findings with the public nationwide - via lectures and workshops, at science festivals, exhibitions and the Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) elements of our research.

This activity helps to enrich our work - making us take a fresh look at how we share our discoveries, listen to new ideas and perspectives, inspire curiosity, and encourage others to join us in addressing contemporary challenges.

The National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE) defines public engagement as:

The myriad of ways in which the activity and benefits of higher education and research can be shared with the public. Engagement is by definition a two-way process, involving interaction and listening, with the goal of generating mutual benefit.

Here are just some of the ways we try to achieve this constructive and positive dialogue.

How can we produce everyday items without oil?

We are transforming biomass into fuel and many everyday items with the help of special new catalysts – from woodchip to liquid fuel, corn husk to shampoo, algae to trainers and even ice cream to bio-plastic fabrics.

SlowCat
Four delegates at a Fuel for the future event - standing within a selfie frame

Fuel for the future

We deliver talks and interactive activities to explain how green hydrogen could be generated, stored and deployed for a Net Zero future.
A colleague with a young visitor at a Revolutionising Rehabilitation event

Revolutionising Rehabilitation

Pioneering science and technology hold the key to personalised rehabilitation - discover our cutting-edge work.
Anne Sexton sitting on a sofa holding a cigarette. Taken in 1974 by Arthur Furst

Poets in Vogue

We curated a free exhibition for the National Poetry Library that uncover the relationship between the language of poets and the clothes they wear. Exhibits include an iconic tartan skirt owned and worn by Sylvia Plath. Accelerator funding helped promote the exhibition to a wide, international audience – enhancing public engagement and inspiring the work of emerging young poets.

Image credit: 'Anne Sexton', Arthur Furst (1974)

Poets in Vogue º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Accelerator funding
The Team gathered at their exhibition stand

Eat well Move well Live well

Exploring the ways eating and moving well can make us feel very well indeed!
Two students in purple tee-shirts wearing face coverings

COVID - a sector-leading approach to engagement

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ became a driving force behind the national approaches and policies that enabled higher education institutions to effectively operate during the pandemic

Man picking litter on the beach

50 years of beach litter

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ researchers are assessing how coastal litter from the ocean has changed over the past half-century in a unique project that brings together local heritage, drones and mobile phone apps. A short film about the project was premiered on 21 March 2024.

50 years of litter on Skye Watch the film
Over shoulder photo of someone engaged in a DECODE activity

DECODE

Working alongside people with learning disabilities, carers and health professionals to develop health and social care coordination that is fit for purpose and suits their needs.
Three º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ colleagues at a Pint of Science event

Pint of Science

In 2024, we recorded the third largest Pint of Science event in the UK, with 55 doctoral researchers and staff delivering 21 events, 53 talks and two panel discussions in local venues.
Artwork promoting the Inaugural Lectures

Inaugural Lectures

Inaugural Lectures have been an essential feature of university life for centuries. We continue to value the tradition – encouraging new Professors to deliver them and warmly extending an open invitation to all members of staff and students as well as our LUSEP campus partners and the local community.

Inaugural Lectures
A young person engaged in an activity

Life through a lens

Using fun hands-on activities, we inspire young people to explore scientific phenomena and support them to explore where a deeper understanding might take them.
A visitor attempts one of the activities - and laughs as the mind-body illusion foxes him

How well do we know our own bodies?

We want to help people to understand that our body might not always feel the same way that it looks. We use mind-bending body illusions to give an insight to how the brain creates and maintains a mental image of the body.