A public engagement skills training scheme for PhD students and Early Career Researchers
In 2013 the University of Birmingham launched a new AHRC-funded Collaborative Skills Development Award, Reaching Out from Higher Education.
Please note that applications for this scheme have now closed.
This award offers a unique opportunity for 21 PhD students and new career researchers to gain key work experience skills in research dissemination, partnership-working and public engagement through training and working with museums and other cultural organisations in the West Midlands.
This scheme does not take students away from their PhD study/research. Instead, by committing two hours of their time a week (over an 18 month period) PhD students/ECRs can gain valuable public engagement experience with some of the University’s partner organisations including:
Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Town Hall/Symphony Hall, Creative Alliance, Women and Theatre, SAMPAD: South Asian Arts, Craftspace and Royal Birmingham Society of Artists.
Successful candidates will be provided with substantial training in community outreach and public engagement skills over a six month period before having the opportunity to work with a local museum/cultural organisation on one of seven project placements. Placements will last the maximum of a year and will result in the generation of outputs such as events, workshops or family activity sessions for the cultural partners. You will work in groups of three to deliver a public engagement activity for the placement organisation, utilising your research skills prior to developing the outputs in consultation with your host organisation. Projects will be designed to reach specific target audiences which will be indicated by the host organisation as part of their Outreach programme.
The scheme provides candidates with the opportunity to gain vital employability training, and to put this training into action in the cultural sector.
To maximise skills training, training sessions will be run by sector experts and placement partners, bringing a new body of expertise into the University. The scheme thereby gives successful candidates the opportunity to be trained by real experts in the field, as well as by leading experts from the University of Birmingham itself.
Throughout each stage of the scheme, candidates will continue with their usual PhD study/research.
We welcome applications from all PhD students and Early Career researchers studying at the University of Birmingham. We also welcome applications from PhD students/Early Career Researchers working inside the UK, although preference will be given to students supported through AHRC.
Successful candidates will not be paid for their participation but all reasonable travel/subsistence/training costs are included in the award.
Applications were sent to Laura Coult (l.c.coult@bham.ac.uk) before 28th February 2013. Late applications will not be considered.