Core Engagement Masterclass: Exploring, Planning and Evaluating Engagement

What makes high-quality public engagement? How do you plan and evaluate public engagement that benefits you, research and society? How can you start your public engagement journey?

Our Core masterclass will develop and broaden your understanding of public engagement. You will learn how to effectively plan, design and evaluate your own engagement activities to achieve your research impact goals and make a positive difference in society. You will discover the relevance of public engagement for different public audiences, stakeholders and funders. You will explore approaches to generate and assess high-quality engagement through practical activities, group discussions and review of case studies, inspiring you to get involved with engagement at Imperial and beyond.  

Key areas covered 

• What public engagement is; how it benefits society, institutions and you as an individual!
• Drivers for public engagement; why funders value it 
• Transferable principles for high-quality public engagement
• The steps involved in planning an engagement project  
• How to develop aims and outcomes for engagement activities 
• Why, when and how to conduct evaluation 
• Examples of effective and creative evaluation methods
• Public engagement opportunities at Imperial and beyond 

Who is this session for?

This session is open to Imperial staff members, doctoral students and postgraduate research masters students. It is aimed at those with little or no prior experience of public engagement.  
 
Doctoral students attending will receive 1 credit from the Early Career Researcher Institute.   
 
Please note this session is not aimed at experienced engagement practitioners or those with similar experience or training.  If you are unsure about whether this session is for you, please e-mail the Societal Engagement team.

Learning Outcomes 

On completion of this masterclass, you will be better able to:  

• Recognise the relevance and drivers for public engagement within higher education    
• Describe the value of public engagement for personal and professional development    
• Recognise the principles of high-quality public engagement 
• Plan engagement activities using appropriate tools and methods  
• Identify why, when and how to evaluate engagement activities

How to book your place

This course is free, but please see the terms and conditions of booking on the registration form. Places are limited and will be booked first come, first served with a waiting list.  

Doctoral Students: Please note the sign up through Inkpath looks slightly different to some other Early Career Researcher Institute courses. This is because this Masterclass is open to Imperial staff, research degree students and postgraduate research masters students.  

If you have any queries or need support completing the registration form, please e-mail the Societal Engagement team.  

Please note, this session is often run on the same day as our Communication in Engagement Masterclass, so you can complete both sessions over one day. If you would like to attend the Communication in Engagement Masterclass, please sign up here. 

Further information 

Do I need to attend the Core Engagement Masterclass first to book onto other engagement master classes?

We strongly advise you attend this masterclass before completing our other masterclasses, especially if you have little or no experience of public engagement. This is so you are provided with the necessary foundation and context. 

Where will the session take place?

This session will be held in-person on either our White City or South Kensington campuses.  If you are unable to attend in-person or would like to explore the options for training at an alternative campus, please e-mail the Societal Engagement team.  so that we can assess demand and discuss your needs.

Engagement activities supporting teaching and learning practice

Please note that engagement activities that may support teaching and learning practice can be used to support your application for Advance Higher Education fellowship via Imperial’s STAR framework.