Public engagement

Male and three females holding there hands out, smiling

About SMQB

Image shows the logo for the Centre for Systems Modelling and Quantitative Biomedicine (SMQB) at University of Birmingham. The purpose of the image is to promote a callout for the SMQB’s artist in residence programme 2023-2024. It shows some examples of previous artworks from the scheme in an exhibition setting, including colourful prints on a wall, a colourful hanging installation made of plastic discs, a digital projection on a wall and some sculptural pieces. There are also several people from varied backgrounds looking at these artworks in the exhibition.Our latest callout for creatives is now open! 

Apply to the SMQB Artist in Residence programme by Thursday 17th August 2023 (23:59).

Find out more about the projects and application process by downloading our 2023 Callout. [PDF, 582KB]

Projects typically have a healthcare focus and involve scientists from two or more disciplines.

Artists are paired with an interdisciplinary research team for a 6-month period.

All collaborations will begin at SMQB's 2-day research incubator event over the 14-15th September 2023 in Birmingham.

This opportunity is open to UK-based artists only. We are looking to recruit multiple artists in this round. We are open to all kinds of proposals. You can see some examples of previous artworks created here www.birmingham.ac.uk/sciart but we welcome new ideas. Please share this opportunity with any artists you think may be interested!


We are building a research environment within which members of the public and people with lived experience of disease can contribute meaningfully and ensure that their voice is heard. If you are interested, there are lots of ways for you to become involved!

We are seeking members of the public to join our steering group and help shape our research priorities and identify the emerging projects we should support. We are looking to build a team of lay experts who will work with our students, researchers and project teams to ensure the relevance of their work to society. We are excited to build links with charities and other outreach organisation to bring our work to communities in relevant and exciting ways. To find out more please email our Community & Public Engagement Manager.

Contact our Community and Engagement Manager

SMQB Conversations, Talks & More

SMQB Conversations

Each year we guest host a number of eminent scientists who are global leaders in their research field.

Each expert gives a one hour talk, following by an additional hour of open discussion and an audience-led question and answer session chaired by SMQB’s Director, Professor John Terry.

All of these talks are aimed at a general public audience, especially those with an interest in science subjects such as mathematics, neuroscience and computer science.

The Body Needs Rhythm: Let's Look at Hormones, Stress and Twitter.

Professor Stafford Lightman, University of Bristol

SMQB Conversations: The Body Needs Rhythm with Professor Stafford Lightman FRS

Digital Health Debate

SMQB's Midlands Digital Health Debate

Birmingham Popular Maths Lecture

Professor John Terry was invited to give a public lecture for the School of Mathematics Birmingham Popular Maths Lecture. This is a series which is aimed at A-level mathematics students, as well as general members of the public who have an interest in mathematics.

John’s talk on “The Emergent Rhythms of Health and Disease” can be watched below.

BPML: The Emergent Rhythms of Health and Disease

More videos coming soon!

AMIGO

The Centre for Systems Modelling & Quantitative Biomedicine (SMQB) is looking for enthusiastic individuals to support us with our public engagement and involvement work.

Who are we?

AMIGO stands for our Advisory Members Involvement, Guidance and Outreach group. This is a group of public volunteers who provide advice on how our research centre can best communicate with, engage and involve the wider public and patient groups in what we do.

Our AMIGOs have a wide variety of personal and professional backgrounds and expertise, ranging from those with lived experience of disease and healthcare conditions through to those with skills in teaching, marketing or charity work, for example. We are not asking for any specific expertise other than enthusiasm to be involved. AMIGO welcomes diversity and everyone’s perspectives are welcomed and respected.

Together we share an interest in making science more accessible to other people, so that research can become more transparent, relevant and meaningful to others, particularly those that the research ultimately hopes to positively impact.

AMIGO supports us to craft and deliver public engagement and involvement activity that is useful, enjoyable and mutually beneficial to all involved. We call our group AMIGO because the group is also a valued network of allies and friends passionate about improving the quality and societal relevance of research.

Interested in getting involved?

If you are interested in joining our AMIGO group we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch so that we can find out a little bit more about you and your motivations for taking part, as well as what type of volunteering would most interest you. Please contact our Community & Public Engagement Manager, Caroline Gillett on c.d.t.gillett@bham.ac.uk with ‘AMIGO’ in the title of your email.

Amigo group discussion two men and two ladies talking
Amigo group discussion, lady speaking another listening
four members of the Amigo group discussion around a laptop
Amigo group discussion, man speaking, three ladies listening

Read our blog posts

Blog posts