Research in Translation: Public Engagement through Exhibition Displays is an exciting training programme designed to offer knowledge and first-hand experience to Early Career Researchers (ECRs) on how to communicate their research to the public. Working closely with museum practitioners, design professionals and museologists in two, two-day workshops, participants will learn the skills and techniques to develop an effective museum exhibition or display to present their research to a wider range of audiences. The workshops take place at Birmingham Museums, University of Leicester and University of Birmingham and will culminate in an public exhibition at the School of Museum Studies, University of Leicester.
The programme is designed to encourage participants to think creatively, critically and reflexively about how they present their research to a wider public, and – more importantly – put what they learn into practice.The specialist, disciplinary specific nature of research means that academics can often find it hard to present their work to non-specialist audiences in a meaningful way. As the benefits of knowledge transfer become more apparent, being able to get across your research to the public (and to potential funders!) in effective, engaging and creative ways is a very important and valuable ability.
The programme is open to ECRS in the UK who are within eight years of the award of their PhD or equivalent professional training, or within six years of their first academic appointment. Participants do not have to be currently working at a university but must be engaged in research. We particularly welcome applications from ECRs carrying out research in the arts, humanities and social sciences, however the programme is open to ECRs working in other disciplines. Successful applicants will have to demonstrate an interest for, and commitment to, public engagement and the wide dissemination of their research.
There are 20 places available on the programme and participants will be selected through a competitive process. The training programme is free for successful applicants – this includes all learning materials, lunch and refreshments for the four days as well as the costs of the exhibition (e.g. display materials and installation). A limited number of bursaries will also be available to cover travel and accommodation costs.
To download an application form, visit our website. You can also follow us on Twitter.
About Research in Translation
Research in Translation: Public Engagement through Exhibition Displays is supported by the Arts & Humanities Research Council. It is a partnership between the School of Museum Studies (University of Leicester), Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Ironbridge International Institute for Cultural Heritage (University of Birmingham), and the international design consultancies Land Design Studio and Metaphor. The project has been developed and is managed collaboratively by Dr Ceri Jones (Research Centre for Museums and Galleries, University of Leicester) and Dr Serena Iervolino (Centre for Cultural Policy Studies, University of Warwick).