Case Studies
We're collecting a range of examples of engagement work from right here at the University to help inspire you. Whether you're new to engagement or looking for something innovative, there's something for everyone.
From Curiosity to Award-Winning Science Communication: Dr. Chenying Liu’s Journey
Dr. Chenying Liu, a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Engineering Sciences, began her path to award-winning science communication unexpectedly during the COVID-19 lockdown. What started as a writing internship led to prestigious honours. Her journey highlights the power of curiosity, adaptability, and a growth mindset - qualities any researcher can develop.
From Lab to Lectern: Professor Saiful Islam’s Journey in Public Engagement
How do you make complex energy materials research accessible and engaging for the public, including school students? Professor Saiful Islam (Materials) has done just that—transforming his academic talks through lessons from public engagement efforts; from science cafes to breaking a Guinness World Record for the highest voltage fruit battery. This case study explores how Saiful's public engagement experiences have sharpened his own communication skills, offering valuable insights for researchers eager to share their work beyond academic walls.
Engineering Spotlight: Illuminating the Impact of Engineering Research
The Department of Engineering Science’s 'Spotlight' event series has successfully bridged the gap between complex engineering research and public awareness. By fostering effective communication skills among researchers, the initiative has demonstrated the importance and relevance of engineering in everyday life to a wider, non-specialist audience. This case study explores the development of the initiative and the department's plans to diversify audiences and solidify its impact.
Lessons in Chemistry: Developing and Delivering Research-Based Workshops for Schools
Engaging with schools in a meaningful way requires careful planning, collaboration, and a deep understanding of both educational and scientific contexts. In this case study, we explore the journey of developing and delivering three research-based workshops designed for schools, each based on a different group in the Department of Chemistry.
AI for Everyone: Prof. Mike Wooldridge's Journey into Public Engagement
In the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence (AI), the journey from research to public discourse is both challenging and essential. Prof. Mike Wooldridge (Professor of Computer Science, Dept. of Computer Sciences), has navigated this path with distinction, becoming a prominent and trusted voice in the public understanding of AI. This case study chronicles Mike’s journey into public engagement, highlighting his initial motivations, the milestones he has achieved, and the lessons learned along the way.
Genome Detectives: Unleashing Online Citizen Science for Genomic Research
In a leap towards integrating public involvement in scientific discovery, Dr Frances Colles, Departmental Lecturer in Microbiology and Infectious Diseases based in the Maiden Lab in the Department of Biology, leads the Genome Detectives project, an online citizen science initiative designed to decode the complexities of bacterial genomes. This successful project not only democratised scientific research but also showcased the potential of citizen contributions to advancing genomic science.
Beats and Beams: Laurence Wroe's Funky Drums and Particle Accelerators Workshop
Dr Laurence Wroe bridged the gap between music and physics to develop this innovative workshop, making use of evidence of what affects young people’s engagement with science to set clear objectives and inform his decisions. This case study delves into Laurence’s journey.
Insect Enthusiasts Unite: Harnessing the Power of Citizen Scientists in the Darwin Tree of Life Project
Join Dr Liam Crowley from the Department of Biology as he shares insights into the transformative engagement experiences within the ambitious Darwin Tree of Life research project. Discover how collaboration with nature enthusiasts led to significant benefits for the research endeavour.
Sensing Volcanoes: Exhibiting at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition
The Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition is a prestigious event where researchers from diverse fields showcase their work to thousands of visiting members of the public. In this case study, we delve into the experience of Prof. David Pyle, professor of Earth Sciences, who led a team and shares insights into their preparations, experiences, and the impact on the audience.
Fostering public engagement through a podcasting mentoring scheme
Julia Migné and Sofia Castelló y Tickell (Zoology) write about their experience setting up a podcasting mentoring scheme to support public engagement with research skills and confidence, a project that was funded by the University's PER Culture Change Seed Fund.
Meat Your Persona: a travelling exhibition
Lucy Yates, Public Engagement Coordinator for the multi-disciplinary Livestock, Environment and People (LEAP) research programme talks us through the development, delivery, and what was learnt from creating a national touring installation to support the public to engage with the environmental and health impacts of meat eating.
The Public Engagement Lab: Researcher and GLAM collaborations
The Public Engagement Lab was a professional development course designed to take participants through a collaborative process to design and pitch public engagement projects that challenge their usual ways of working. The programme covered the entire lifecycle of project ideation, development, delivery and evaluation, providing support and funding for four projects. Find out what they did and how they did it, along with the benefits researchers and the Gardens, Libraries and Museums (GLAM) experienced through their collaborations.
Mother Earth: Taking Research to School Children During the Pandemic
In 2020 summer term, as schools closed down due to the corona virus pandemic, Cowley Road Works facilitated projects to bring together researchers and school students in an engagement project for children to access from their homes. Originally envisaged as a project to bring research to life as part of the Carnival in July, here we report how the modified online project went.
Enter the Zooniverse: An interactive light installation
The popular citizen science project, Galaxy Zoo, went super-sized at this year’s Oxford Christmas Light Festival (Friday 15 – Saturday 16 November 2019). Crowds of visitors to the vibrant annual seasonal celebration got a taste of the astronomical by helping researchers describe hundreds of images of galaxies, projected at massive scale onto to the buildings in Bonn Square. Here is a taste of the project.
Yee Whye in I'm a Researcher: Machine Learning Zone
Prof Yee Whye Teh took part in the online engagement activity, I'm a Researcher... Get Me Out of Here (Machine Learning Zone) - and won the student vote! Congratulations. In this blog, originally posted on his groups web pages he talks about his experience.
Watch: Bacterial World - Exhibiting Research case study
This new video case study looks at how researchers from across the university worked with the Oxford University Museum of Natural History on their exhibition 'Bacterial World'.
Accelerate! How to build a particle accelerator from scratch
Dr. Suzie Sheehy (Royal Society University Research Fellow, Oxford Physics) and Lucy Martin (3rd Year DPhil student in the Particle Physics sub-department, Oxford Physics) talk about taking particle accelerator physics to a large audience at Curiosity Carnival by using an interactive science show.
Sing Song Physics: is songwriting an effective way to engage the public with research?
Catchy songs are great way to make a message ‘stick’, but can we use song to enthuse young people about science? Michaela Livingstone-Banks (MPLS PE Facilitator) shares what she learnt from this University Seed Funded project that explored exactly this.
Top Trumps With a Twist: using games to engage the public
Prof David Pyle (Earth Sciences) took his volcano top trumps to the Games Cafe at the Curiosity Carnival last year. Here he explains his experience, and why having fun with public engagement, and why some times simple activities are the best activities.
Stories around the Campfire
Dr Benjamin Brecht (Formerly Dept of Physics) took part in the 'Stories Around the Campfire' at the Curiosity Carnival, and talks about how the experience opened his eyes to the interest the public has in research.