* Applications for the 2024 Engage Academy are now closed *

Are you working to foster a culture of engagement in your organisation? Are you keen to develop your agency, capabilities and networks to enhance your approach? If so, we consider you a change maker and the Engage Academy is for you!

Engage Academy is particularly suitable for those working to engage people with research, working in higher education institutions, cultural organisations, charities and public sector organisations. 

The 7 month programme running from January - July 2024 will support participants to:

• Interrogate high-quality public engagement principles including Purpose/Process/People/Evaluation  
• Explore theory and practice around topics such as ethics, power, partnerships and cultural change
• Develop a strategic approach to embedding engagement in your organisation 
• Explore your role as a ‘change maker’  
• Develop a strong and supportive professional network 

The programme content, curated by the National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE), provides innovative and inspiring insights from expert sector leaders.  

“workshops and webinars allowed us to get into the weeds of some really challenging and complex topics and theories. I really appreciated that the Academy placed a lot of emphasis on personal reflection and practical application, giving us the opportunity to apply what we've learnt directly to our own work and to share ideas and problem-solve with others.” 2022/23 Academician 

“For me, seeing the questions and challenges across the group, and ideas how to overcome them, were very useful. I got a lot of inspiration for facilitation and specific exercises too.” 2022/23 Academician 

“Everyone is so kind and welcoming and forgiving and teaching each other…it’s been great for my confidence…” 2021/22 Academician 

 “The range of speakers and topics covered was great, including some from fields I've had little interaction with before e.g. systems change and branding.”  2021/22 Academician 

The Engage Academy provides a stimulating environment, encouraging thoughtful engagement with key ideas; informal networking to recreate those 'coffee queue' moments, and opportunities to access content at times convenient to you.  

Programme components include:  

• Two one-day, in-person events focused on peer sharing and networking (held in Bristol, and offered online for anyone unable to attend).
• Two two-day online workshops  
• Four optional short sessions with contributor discussions
• Opportunities to have small group surgeries with sector experts  
• Facilitated peer reflection groups   

Engage Academy 2024 will model the best online and in person engagement approaches, content and networking opportunities. Please note, for those unable to attend the two one-day person events (see below) there will be a fully online option.

Cost   

The Engage Academy price is £1100  (£950 early bird fee) 

Bursaries    

We are committed to supporting people to be able to access the Academy. We offer bursaries (50 percent of the early bird and regular fee) for those who would find the costs a barrier and can make the case  for this. If you would like to apply for a bursary, please make a case for this on your application form.  

In addition, we are able to support you to make a case internally for securing investment in your professional development.  

Finally, we are able to offer an instalment option for payments. Please let us know if this applies to you on the application form. 

If you think the Academy is for you, please follow the below link to complete the application form.  

Engage Academy 2024 Application Form 

N.B. Please note, places on the Academy are awarded on the basis of your application form. We will endeavour to accommodate applicants who will most benefit  from the opportunity to explore their role as institutional change makers.  

Please submit your application by 17:00 on Friday 3 November 2023

Early bird application deadline is 15 October 2023.

 We will respond by Friday 17 November 2023 to let you know if you have been successful in gaining a place on the programme. 

If you are successful in receiving a place on the Engage Academy, there will be tasks to complete in advance of each workshop. These will support you to reflect and explore your own organisation, and how it supports public and community engagement.  

Please note by applying to the Academy 2024, you are confirming your availability for the below dates:

To make the most of the academy, we encourage you to participate in all the opportunities on offer.  

Depending on your preferences, and the time you would like to commit to engaging with your learning, you will want to make space for: 

• Four full day workshops (2 one-day in person and 2 two-day online events) 
• Four online short sessions (1 ½ - 2 hours each)
• Four peer reflection group meetings of 90 minutes at times to be agreed with the group 
• Two optional expert surgeries ( Up to 2 hours each)

Preparation tasks for each workshop (usually focused on self-reflection, gathering organisational intelligence, preparing contributions for the sessions). 

Please note online spaces are limited. We request that applicants commit to either online or the in person events. Additional online spaces can only be made available for the hybrid workshops under extenuating circumstances with sufficient notice.

Contact 

If you have any questions, please contact engage.academy@uwe.ac.uk 

Data protection consent 

In order to receive your application, the NCCPE requires your consent for us to process your personal data. Please see our Privacy Notice for information on how your personal data will be processed. 

Accessibility 

Please tell us about any personal requirements and details of any adjustments you would like us to make to facilitate your participation when making your application.

Covid-19 

We remain committed to the health and wellbeing of academicians, venue staff, NCCPE staff and the wider community. We recognise that we are still living alongside Covid-19, and therefore have put in place the following measures for the in-person elements of the event.  

• If you are showing signs of and/ or have tested positive for Covid-19 please do not attend the in-person events. You will be able to participate in the sessions online 
• Hand sanitiser will be available at the venue, and we welcome the wearing of masks
• If the situation changes, we may have to cancel the in-person element of the event, and move the whole conference online 

Considerations and cancellation policy