Staff survey shows growth in societal engagement at Imperial

Last Summer, the Public and Community Engagement team circulated an All Staff Societal Engagement Survey to evaluate the current state of societal engagement at Imperial. Results showed that 76% of respondents participated in some form of engagement activity in the previous 12 months.

The survey explored the types of societal engagement activities undertaken by staff, perceived barriers to participation, and broader perspectives on societal engagement at Imperial. Conducted three times since 2015, the survey charts a decade of societal engagement at Imperial, with more than 1,000 staff completing the latest iteration.

Using the survey findings, the Centre team have been able to set clearer priorities to better support high-quality engagement across the university.

Key findings

The findings indicated a steady increase in societal engagement activities across Imperial since the last All Staff Survey in 2019:

• 76% of respondents have taken part in some form of societal engagement over the last 12 months, up from 62% in 2019 and 59% in 2017.
• 41% of staff have dedicated more than 5 days per year to societal engagement, up from 35% in 2019.
• 81% of respondents reported that they felt that societal engagement was a medium to high priority for delivering the mission of their department or faculty.

Staff reported that they were taking part in a diverse range of engagement activities, including public talks and lectures, posting content on social media, and working with schools and school children.

When asked about their motivations to take part in societal engagement, staff frequently mentioned their desire to inspire others about their work. The findings demonstrate that staff are motivated by a desire to create a more equitable society through engagement with groups that are typically underrepresented or excluded.

Staff were asked to reflect on the barriers they face when pursuing societal engagement opportunities. Consistent with findings from previous surveys, limited funding remains the most significant constraint. Respondents also reported that societal engagement can demand substantial time and effort, and that recognition for these contributions is still developing.

Priority areas moving forward

In response to the survey findings, four key priority areas were identified to advance societal engagement culture and practice at Imperial. Communications from the Centre for Societal Engagement will be clearer and more targeted so colleagues can easily find out about events, funding and training. Recognition of contributions to this work will gradually improve as societal engagement is embedded into appraisal, reward and promotion frameworks. Imperial staff and students will be supported to diversify engagement formats, moving past traditional talks and outreach towards co-creation, partnerships and community collaboration. Finally, support will be expanded, particularly for early and mid-career staff, to help them get involved and build their engagement practice at each career stage.

If you would like to stay in the loop with updates from the Public and Community Engagement team, subscribe to the Societal Engagement Newsletter. Get further involved by joining the Societal Engagement Reading Group, exploring our training opportunities, or registering for a 1-to-1 advice session with a member of the team.