Past Engage Conferences

An amazing array of sessions addressed our themes of:

• Practice that is anchored in the ‘real world’:  How can engagement practice be grounded in the messiness and complexities of life? 
• Practice that is inclusive and accessible: What are we doing in our practice to actively challenge the systems and barriers that reinforce inequality? 
• Practice that elicits change: How can we design engagement work so that it creates actions, outcomes, and change? 
• Practice that brings others along on the journey: How can we use our practice to influence others? 

Delegates and contributors interested in public and community engagement with research and innovation led inspiring and people-centred explorations of how universities can fulfil their social purpose.

Realising the value of meeting face to face, and the flexibility and accessibility provided by engaging online, Engage 2022 made the most of both worlds and consisted of two day-long events: Engage Live on 7th December and Engage Online on 15th December. 

Delegates from across the sector joined us to share their experiences and learn alongside colleagues on an inspiring and people-centred exploration of how universities can fulfil their social purpose. The events included inspiring plenary talks, interactive sessions, informal networking, and the space for smaller, focused discussion.

As well as a mix of inspirational plenaries, interactive workshops and networking opportunities, we also ran the Engage ‘Unconference’ for the first time – a plethora of activities and exhibits, bringing our community together in the weeks leading up to Engage to workshop ideas for change and share practice. The ideas and outcomes developed during the Unconference were shared and taken forward as part of the Engage Conference. 

The Engage Festival was a week-long extravaganza of over 60 live events inviting delegates to explore and reimagine the role and future of public engagement, as COVID-19 redefined our world. Running from Monday 30th November – Friday 4th December, the festival had a rich programme of thought-provoking talks, interactive workshops, immersive experiences, and lots of creative ways for people to connect and network.

We were delighted to welcome Julia Unwin as a guest speaker to Engage 2019.

Drawing on her experience as Chief Executive of Joseph Rowntree Foundation, with its strong social justice agenda, and her role as chair of the recent Civil Society Futures inquiry, Julia offered a challenging external perspective on higher education’s place in the world; and how we can contribute positively to society at a time of profound change and disruption.