Public engagement
From local events to global projects, engaging with communities is a core part of our work. We're committed to being an open and accessible university with a civic purpose.
Public engagement enables us to empower communities for positive social change. We're committed to improving the wellbeing of the communities we work with and the cultural and economic growth of our region. All our engagement activities reflect our values of inclusivity, respect, and collaboration for mutual benefit. We hold a Silver Watermark for our commitment to public engagement from the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE).
Strategic framework
Our strategic framework outlines the key mutual benefits of public engagement for communities and the University as well as our commitments to inclusive and reflective practice.
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| Civic | P1. Enable community-led development* | 1-10 |
|---|---|---|
| P2. Increased diversity of voices and lived-experience influencing UCLan research and teaching, which impacts communities external to the University* | 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 10 | |
| P3. Increased access to tools and knowledge to contribute to public debate and influence policy* | 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10 | |
| P4. Increased opportunity and agency to shape teaching of future workforce* | 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 | |
| P5. Increased capacity to deliver meaningful community projects through collaboration with other UCLan partner organisations and access to funding streams* | 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 | |
| P6. Increased opportunity and agency to shape and develop research outputs important or relevant to them | 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10 | |
| P7. Increased access to further learning opportunities for personal and professional development | 1, 4, 5, 8, 9,10 | |
| P8. Increased awareness of involvement opportunities | 1, 3, 4, 5,10 |
*Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI)
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| Research | O1. Involve public as researchers |
|---|---|
| O2. Influence policy* | |
| Research, Learning and Teaching | O3. Collaborate to develop better service and facilities for all* |
| O4. Share knowledge with the public | |
| O5. Effective partnerships to further social development* | |
| O6. Listen to and respond to societal needs and expertise to inform research and training* | |
| Learning and Teaching | O7. Apply student work to address societal need* |
| O8. Widen participation in HE and promote social mobility* | |
| Civic | O9. Improving perceptions and sharing University as a resource for the community* |
| O10. Increase local pride on a global scale |
*Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI)
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| Research | REF (Outcomes 1-6) | Deliver impact (Domains) | U1. Creativity and culture |
|---|---|---|---|
| U2. Environment | |||
| U3. Social and welfare | |||
| U4. Production | |||
| U5. Commerce and the economy | |||
| U6. Practitioners and professional services | |||
| U7. Public policy, law and services | |||
| U8. Health, wellbeing and animal welfare | |||
| U9. Understanding, learning and participation | |||
| Teaching and learning | REF (Outcomes 3-8) | Teaching on course | U10. Subject made more interesting |
| U11. Course more interesting | |||
| U12. Challenge students to achieve best work | |||
| Learning opportunity | U13. Students can explore subject in depth | ||
| U14. Students can bring different ideas and info from topics together | |||
| U15. Students can apply learning | |||
| TEF aspects of quality | U16. Student Engagement: encourage active commitment to studies (TQ1) | ||
| U17. Develop students’ independence, knowledge, understanding and skills (TQ2) | |||
| U18. Students exposed to learning environment at forefront of practice (LE2) | |||
| U19. Improve knowledge, skills and attributes that are valued by employers (SE2) | |||
| U20. Improve outcomes for those from disadvantaged backgrounds (SE3)* | |||
| Civic | Civic outcomes 1-10 | U21. UCLan seen as ‘our’ University by local communities* | |
| U22. Engage under-represented groups with research or teaching* | |||
| U23. Increase inclusive practices* | |||
*Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI)
Lancashire Science Festival
Every year we hold the Lancashire Science Festival which takes place on our Preston campus. A fun-filled celebration of all things science, technology, engineering and maths. The free festival includes interactive live shows, workshops and drop-in activities. There are two days for local primary schools and a public day for everyone.
Comensus
Community Engagement and Service User Support (Comensus) brings the service user and carer voice to several of our Schools. Our service user, patient and carer contributors use their lived experiences to help shape our research and teaching. You can find out more about their work and the opportunities to get involved on their page.
Community Action Forum
The Community Action Forum runs three times a year. It offers an informal space for our colleagues, members of the public and community organisations to; network, improve community engagement with and beyond our University, consider and promote reciprocal benefits for all, work together on research, teaching, learning and problem solving and celebrate achievements.
Events are delivered in partnership with Comensus, the CVCL and our community networks. For more information on the next event or details of how to get involved, please get in touch.
Engaged students
From running Citizens Advice clinics to theatre performances. Our students are learning from and sharing with our communities.
If you're a student interested in getting involved in community projects speak to your course leaders or contact the Centre for Volunteering and Community Leadership for volunteering opportunities.
Watch our animated video series to discover more about our research01 / 08
Linguistics and False Confessions