Engage Academy
Our sector-leading, 7-month development programme for public engagement professionals.
The deadline to apply for Engage Academy 2025 has now closed.
About the Engage Academy
The Engage Academy - our flagship programme - is for those whose role primarily involves supporting others to engage. Running over 7 months, from January - July 2025, the Academy focuses on the role of being a ‘change maker’ within organisations and provides engagement professionals with the opportunity to network amongst peers, explore common challenges, and build the skills and strategies needed to enhance their approach.
Engage Academy will help you to:
- foster a culture of engagement in your organisation
- support others to engage with the public and communities
- develop your agency and capabilities
I feel so much more confident! I feel I am equipped with the knowledge I need to face challenges. It also makes me feel better to know other PE professionals face the same things at their institutions!
2023/24 Academician
About the programme
Engage Academy provides a stimulating, flexible environment, encouraging thoughtful engagement with content, informal networking to recreate those 'coffee queue' moments, and opportunities to access content at times convenient to you.
To make the most of the academy, we encourage you to participate in all the opportunities on offer.
During the 7-month programme we will support participants to:
- Interrogate the high-quality public engagement principles including Purpose, Process, People, and Evaluation
- Explore theory and practice around topics such as ethics, power, partnerships and cultural change
- Develop a strategic approach to embedding engagement at their organisation
- Explore their role as a ‘change maker’
- Develop a strong and supportive network
The programme content, curated by the NCCPE, provides innovative and inspiring insights from expert sector leaders.
The programme components include:
- Six full day workshops focused on peer sharing and networking : 2 one-day in person events held in Bristol,( also offered in broadcast mode for anyone unable to attend the in-person events) and 2 two-day online events
- Three online webinars led by sector experts (1 ½ - 2 hours each)
- Three peer learning group meetings with support from an experienced mentor . These will be 90 minutes each and held in late February, late April and late June . Dates to be confirmed on confirmation of a successful application.
Please note: preparation tasks for each full day workshop (usually focused on self-reflection, gathering organisational intelligence, preparing contributions for the sessions) – usually require two hours before each workshop.
The Academy requires approximately 7-8 days commitment during the 7-month programme.
2025 Dates and Timings
Please note by applying to the Academy 2025, you are confirming your availability for the below dates:
Event and Venue | Dates and Times |
Workshop 1 1 day, in person (with broadcast option). M Shed, Central Bristol | Weds 22 Jan 10:00 - 16:00 |
Workshop 2 2 days, online | Weds 19 and Thurs 20 March 09:30 - 15:30 |
Workshop 3 2 days, online | Weds 21 and Thurs 22 May 09:30 - 15:30 |
Workshop 4 1 day, in person (with broadcast option). Watershed, Central Bristol | Weds 9 July 9 10:00 - 16:00 |
I have gained lots of new contacts who I have already called upon for expertise, and will certainly keep in touch with to share best practice and advice. I certainly feel more confident in communicating the benefits of engagement and developing a deeper understanding of these
Costs and Bursaries
The Engage Academy price is £1250.
We are committed to supporting people to be able to access the Academy. We offer six bursaries of £700 each 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.
Firstly, it has been wonderful to have the space to discuss and navigate challenges with my peers and the NCCPE team. I have learnt how important it is to create space for collaborative reflection on addressing challenges and not sitting with these issues alone as many of my peers are facing something similar. I feel more confident to go back to my team and encourage more occasions for us to collaborate and tackle challenges together.
