Public Engagement as method in the Arts and Humanities
Tuesday 5 July 2016
10.15-17.15 (with drinks reception at 17.15)
University of Sheffield, The Diamond Workroom 3, Leavygreave Road
Free, please register at https://publicengagementasmethod.eventbrite.co.uk
The University of Sheffield Faculty of Arts and Humanities invite academics, public engagement professionals and others with an interest in public engagement to a day of provocations and discussion around the notion of public engagement as method.
Sessions, including short provocations by colleagues from around the country are planned on the following themes: Artistic practice, Theories of PE and the Boundaries of the academic role, along with a session of case studies and there will be plenty of time for discussion from the floor
Knowledge is not yet research; to utilise this knowledge for research one must organise the information into a useable form and, ultimately, analyse what that information means. In other words, moving from a recognition that ‘the public’ has knowledge that can substantially advance research to producing actual innovative research with ‘the public’ requires the knowledge, an analytical framework, and the critical thinking that academics are highly trained not just to conduct but also to teach to others to do.
The academy has not yet generated an epistemology and definition of research that explains how the experiential, embodied, communal and dispersed nature of knowledge changes the role of researcher. The rationale behind public engagement is explained in terms of external measurement, reputational benefit and citizenship but to access the trove of knowledge held by ‘the public’ is not just advantageous, but is essential for researchers in all disciplines to engage and collaborate with groups and individuals outside the academy.
The day aims to open up some of the conversations around public engagement as method, and hear from a wide range of interested voices.
There will also be a poster session over lunch. Please indicate on your registration form if you would like to present a poster at the poster session
Session details
Artistic Practice
Practice-based research into musical performance - David Owen Norris, University of Southampton
Art as research - Sarah Pogoda, University of Sheffield
Theories of Public Engagement
Intellectual projects that begin and end in the experiences of the public, Joshua Fortenzer, University of Sheffield
Integrating academic research and public engagement - Jen Grove, University of Exeter
Boundaries of the academic role
The Divided Self: forging identities in the academic hinterland - Michael Eades, School of Advanced Study
Enhancing public engagement for the benefit of researchers - Mary Craig, University of Edinburgh
Case Studies
Festivals as a means of delivering public engagement with research - Tony Graves, DeMontfort University
More than impact: extending the co-design approach, Debbie Maxwell, University of York, Mel Woods, University of Dundee
Programme timings
10:15–10:30 Welcome and Introduction
10:30–11:45 Session 1
11:45–12:00 Tea/Coffee
12:00–13:15 Session 2
13:15–14:00 Lunch and poster session
14:00–15:15 Session 3
15:15–15.30 Tea/Coffee
15.30–16.45 Session 4
16:45– 17:15 Reflections and Closing Comments
17:15 Drinks reception