Engagement Academy

Explore the evolving relationship between research and society.

Develop your engagement practice by experimenting with ideas and reflecting on your experiences. Build your confidence, leadership skills and professional identity, among a supportive cohort of colleagues.

This unique opportunity is delivered in partnership between Imperial's Science Communication Unit and Public & Community Engagement team. The aim of the Academy is to foster the development of a community of staff for whom societal engagement is an integral, supported and valued part of their professional identity and practice, enabling Imperial to grow and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with society.

The Engagement Academy is externally accredited by the Institute of Leadership, recognising the transferable nature of public engagement skills, ideas, identity and expertise within leadership more broadly.  Academy participants are given a year’s membership with the Institute of Leadership and have access to online resources and professional development tools.

What does the Academy involve?

• Seven sessions over seven months, including a mix of seminars, practical workshops, visits and group discussions. (Engagement academy draft programme 24/25) 
• Hearing from internal and external speakers
• Reading and activities between sessions (approx. 1 – 2 hours per month)
• The opportunity to develop, deliver and evaluate your own practical engagement activity with support and feedback from session leaders as well as your group
• Mentoring from Imperial engagement staff

What will I get out of taking part?

The Engagement Academy is different to other training courses. Through this extended programme you will have the time and opportunity to explore ideas in depth, try out activities and discuss themes and issues with your course mates.

On completion of the Engagement Academy, you will be better able to:

• Interpret high-quality public engagement principles (including aims, key messages, outcomes, target audience, formats and evaluation)
• Apply these principles and develop, deliver and evaluate your own societal engagement outputs
• Describe the challenges, obstacles and opportunities for inclusive societal engagement at Imperial and beyond.
• Recognise how to expand your professional identity to include societal engagement practice
• Develop your own leadership skills to benefit your engagement practice and professional development
• Build supportive relationships and networks with other colleagues across the university.

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

What have previous participants thought?

'As always (and increasingly through the course) it is great to get together as a cohort and discuss - a lovely bunch of people (including the facilitators!)'

'Only through the Academy have we actually got the support where we can start to build something and see it realised, rather than just having a lot of ideas that we’re not really sure what to do with.'

Take a look at our short film to hear from those taking part: 

Engagement Academy 2017-18

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