Whilst there are many definitions for PE, a widely accepted explanation is from the National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE), which defines Public Engagement as:

"The myriad of ways in which the activity and benefits of higher education and research can be shared with the public. Engagement is by definition a two-way process, involving interaction and listening, with the goal of generating mutual benefit."

Public Engagement can lead to significant benefits for everyone involved; researchers and research students, the institution, and the many different publics in society. 

Engagement activities are typically undertaken to:

1. Improve the quality and impact of research
2. Meet funders' requirements - public engagement is recognised as a route to impact
3. Raise aspirations of those publics engaged 
4. Build trust in emerging research areas
5. Develop researchers' transferable skills
6. Contribute to accountability of publicly funded research
7. Improve relationships between universities and their local communities.

As a signatory to the NCCPE’s Manifesto for Public Engagement, as the first institution in the UK and Ireland to launch a Social Charter, and, most recently, by its launch of the Engaged Research Action Plan, Queen’s has publicly asserted and affirmed that public engagement is central to its mission to connect with society and celebrate the many ways our staff and students demonstrate innovation, discovery and creativity.

By aligning the Action Plan across three institutional strategies- Research, People and Culture and Public Engagement, Queen’s has framed the significance, relevance and interconnectedness of public engagement across all priority areas.

VISION: ‘To become a world leader in promoting the values of partnership and collaboration in research by building and sustaining mutually-beneficial research relationships, with real-world impact, and championing a culture where staff and partners feel valued and supported in their research engagement activities.’

The vision of the Action Plan rests on three key principles:

These principles emphasise the active and wide-ranging role of the University’s research, reaching out to and engaging not just the public but also government, business and industry. Such wide-ranging and inclusive engagement objectives and activities, will require embracing and valuing the full spectrum of engagement methods:

Engagement Methods:

• Dissemination
• Dialogue
• Consultation
• Partnership
• Collaboration

This Action Plan provides strategic direction for University initiatives in the coming years and helps researchers to engage our many diverse external stakeholders meaningfully and effectively.  

Within FMHLS, the Engagement Hub is integral in implementing the outworkings of the plan but additionally and instrumentally, provides a cohesive capacity and capability building unit, which is participatory and collegial.  A guiding principle throughout, is the involvement and integration of all Faculty colleagues, from Clerical to Professorial, in all activities and initiatives.