Public Engagement:
Activities in the Community

While our strategy focuses on schools, we also organise or take part in a number of events each year to engage with a broader range of stakeholders. This includes family-based activities at Science Festivals, the Scout movement, business networks and local community groups. As part of our strategy to deliver PE beyond schools, we showcased Babraham’s research explaining how calcium signals are important in maintaining a healthy heart at the Royal Society’s Summer Science Exhibition 2010 at the South Bank Centre in London. The exhibition has since been shown in 2011 at the Cambridge Science Festival and Cheltenham Science Festival.

The Institute maintains close links with the local community, regularly informing residents of Babraham village about progress in scientific research and building developments on the Babraham Research Campus, as well as responding to requests and enquiries. An Open Evening was held for the village in July 2004, September 2006 and again in July 2009. The events typically include a tour of the campus, new buildings, and laboratories, presentations from Babraham scientists, a panel Q & A and the opportunity to talk with staff during a buffet supper.

Events with local audiences have also facilitated discussion on topical research issues for example the use of animals in research and stem cells. Such events with open dialogue have helped to build trust between the scientific community and our public audiences. We encourage scientists to engage with the media – e.g. giving press briefings or radio interviews - and also with politicians at events like 'SET for Britain' or briefings at the House of Lords.

Our Community activities

Cambridge Science Festival
Royal Society Summer Exhibition 2010
Bottisham Guides Easter Camp 2007
Visit from East Anglia Fellows of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust 2009