Investing in Engagement
How long term-funding leads to impactful research
Well-funded engagement enables the development of long-term, mutually beneficial relationships which are essential for continually improving, progressive programmes that result in an engaged research culture and impactful research.
Executive Summary
Benefits of ringfenced, flexible funding for engagement:
We make the case that secure funding for engagement activity leads to high-level, high-quality and sustained engagement. This, in turn, leads to research that has greater benefits and relevance to society.
- Strategic Approach: Long-term funding allows for a more systematic and purposeful engagement strategy, enabling organisations to reach diverse and under-served audiences beyond traditional research circles.
- Dedicated Staff: Secure funding permits hiring specialised engagement professionals who can build expertise, manage complex logistics, and support researchers in creating meaningful engagement activities.
- Relationship Building: Consistent funding enables long-term relationship development with stakeholders like schools, museums, and community partners, creating mutually beneficial collaborations.
- Institutional Knowledge: Dedicated resources help build and retain expertise in engagement practices, allowing researchers to incorporate high-quality engagement without starting from scratch each time.
- Wider Reach: Funding covers travel expenses for researchers and participants, making it possible to engage audiences beyond immediate geographical limitations and increase science accessibility.
- Flexibility: Flexibility in how funds are allocated allows organisations to invest resources strategically, supporting both small, low-cost projects and large, complex long-term initiatives.
- Capacity Building: Resources can be used to develop internal programmes like Public Engagement Ambassadors, which help create a culture of engagement within the organisation.
- Funding Opportunities: Experience gained through well-funded engagement activities can lead to successful applications for further engagement grants from various organisations.
- Impactful research: Strong support for researchers allows for higher quality and greater speed of implementation of funder requirements, with greater benefits to society.
