How does the Medical Sciences Division engage?
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT WITH RESEARCH ACROSS THE DIVISION
Researchers from across the Medical Sciences Division take part in a diverse range of events and activities throughout the year to communicate, share, and celebrate the benefits of their research with non-academic audiences. Previously we have taken part in science festivals including the MRC Festival of Medical Research, Oxfordshire Science Festival, the Royal Society Summer Exhibition, and Curiosity Carnival. We also organise many smaller talks and events in inspiring locations throughout Oxford, and use digital platforms and cultural events to engage the public. On these pages you can see some highlights of our past activities.
SCIENCE FESTIVALS
Divisional research staff engage with people of all ages at science fairs and festivals through the year. These range from smaller events for our local community in Oxfordshire to national science festivals attended by thousands of people.
WORKING WITH GARDENS, LIBRARIES AND MUSEUMS
Working with the University Gardens, Libraries and Museums (GLAM) offers a unique opportunity to engage the public in inspirational spaces, and is a focus for the University's strategic plan for public engagement. Researchers have a number of opportunities to become involved with events at these locations.
CULTURAL COLLABORATIONS

Using art and music to explore medical research is an exciting way of engaging the public. A number of projects across our departments have seen collaborations with artists, animators and dancers to communicate research and engage the public with the latest medical discoveries.
DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT
Public Engagement with Research does not only have to be carried out in person - a number of innovative digital platforms enable online audiences to engage with our research.
engagement with schools
In addition to science fairs and public events, researchers across the Division engage with schoolchildren and teachers through visits to local schools, work experience schemes, and participation in national programmes such as In2Science.
PATIENT AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) projects help patients and the public to take an active role in working with researchers to prioritize and shape research. PPI could include offering advice as members of a project steering group, commenting on and developing research materials, and giving feedback on ideas.
Podcasts
Podcasts offer our researchers another platform to discuss and explain their research.
EVENTS ARCHIVE
Explore some of the public engagement events our researchers took part in between 2015 - 2017.
Curiosity Carnival images courtesy of Ian Wallman
Are you a researcher inspired by these events? Please see our Public Engagement Team pages to learn more about how we support our staff in working with the public.