PGR Research Almanac: Public Engagement & Writing Workshop (Online)

If you’re a PGR looking to develop industry-standard skills in communication and public engagement, gain valuable experience in public communication for your CV, and have the opportunity to contribute to an exhibition, don’t miss this new workshop from the University Graduate School.

This online writing and public engagement workshop is designed to train PGRs in crafting exhibition text for a non-academic audience at the University of Birmingham. Led by museum curator Dr. Felicity Williams, the 4-hour session will guide attendees through the process of communicating research findings in a clear, accessible, and engaging style. PGRs who take part in the workshop will produce a piece of creative text about their research to be included in a new exhibition, The Postgraduate Research Almanac, at the University of Birmingham.

The Postgraduate Research Almanac, taking place at Westmere House 28th November - 4th December 2023, celebrates the work of postgraduate researchers with the calendar year as its theme and organising structure. Inspired by the concept of an almanac – an annual table or book listing anniversaries, forecasts, and astronomical calculations – the exhibition uses the calendar year as its theme and organizing structure. PGR contributors will be invited to frame their research in relation to a significant date in the year.

By the end of the workshop, attendees will have produced a brief piece of exhibition text developed from their own research which will link to a theme or date in the calendar year. This text will then form part of the exhibition that will be open to students, staff, special guests from local organisations, and the general public.

Why join us? As a result of the workshop, you will:

• Begin to develop industry-standard skills in communication and public engagement
• Learn how to frame and word academic research for a non-academic audience
• Have the opportunity to contribute to an exhibition
• Share your research with peers, external partners, and exhibition visitors
• Gain valuable experience in public engagement that can be included on your C.V.
• Have contributed text about your research to a new exhibition The Postgraduate Research Almanac, 28th November - 4th December 2023.

In order to prepare for the workshop, please consider what dates or themes your research may resonate with. You’ll be asked to provide an example on the sign-up form, though are not tied to it. You might find this website helpful to explore calendar dates and periods.

Please note: We are running both in-person and online versions of this workshop. This one is online: if you’d prefer to join in-person, please see this workshop instead.

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Westmere is located next to Winterbourne House on Edgbaston Park Road (G15 on the campus map). The Seminar Room is on the ground floor.

This event is open only to University of Birmingham postgraduate researchers (PGR).

PGR programmes include: MPhil, MMus, MRes, MA by Research, MSc by Research, MLitt, PhD, PhD with integrated study, EngD, DDS, MD, Higher doctorates and Professional doctorates.

Online joining information will be sent via Eventbrite in advance of the session. Please check your junk folder or contact the Graduate School if you do not receive the link 24 hours before the event. Registration will close 15 mins before the event start time or when tickets are sold out.