Learning from the Catalysts for public engagement
Lessons from the Catalysts for public engagement with research (PER) - for creating a culture within higher education where excellent public engagement with research is formalised and embedded.
In 2012, building on the work of the Beacons for Public Engagement, Research Councils UK (RCUK), funded 8 Catalyst universities to develop their support for public engagement with research (PER). As the funding period came to an end, the NCCPE interviewed those involved in the projects to reflect on the learning they had done, and challenges they had faced.
Our interviews revealed a rich tapestry of learning about the opportunities and challenges in creating a culture that supports engagement. To help us consider the factors that supported and hindered such change we analysed
the interview transcripts, and categorised the comments in order of significance. What was clear was that all of the Catalyst projects had made significant progress in developing effective support for public engagement