Workshops and Training

Public Engagement and Outreach Workshops

A wide range of topics will be covered by these workshops, and sessions will have something for those with any level of previous experience with engagement, from beginners to those with experience looking to develop and refresh their knowledge. Full details of upcoming opportunities can be found here, keep an eye on this page as more opportunities will be added as and when confirmed.

Where possible, live workshops will be recorded and made available on this page for all current RSC members to access. See below for the current available recordings.

Making the Most of Your Engagement with Jamie Gallagher

Through a series of three 1-hour workshops, award-winning freelance communicator and engagement professional Jamie Gallagher explores how to create the perfect public engagement tailored to your skills and subject. This series has something for everyone, whether you are new to engagement or looking to get new perspectives on what you can do to improve this workshop is packed with tips, tricks and strategies for making the most of your engagement. Following the workshops, you should be able to:

• Understand how to turn your science into a compelling narrative.
• Prepare high-quality engagement plans and activities.
• Recognise the benefits of external engagement and how to achieve them.
• Feel comfortable and confident with public engagement.
• Understand the use of evaluation for reporting and monitoring.

Session 1 - 11 November 2021

This session explores what public engagement is, why we might want to do it and what you might want to achieve with activity. Jamie maps out what you need to consider when planning engagement activity.

Session 3 - 25 November 2021

Using a model to identify impact, outcomes and outputs, this session explores defining measures of success for activity and approaches that can be taken to evaluate whether a project has been a success or not.

Session 2 - 18 November 2021

This session looks at how to do public engagement and looks into the aspects of the planning process from identifying what you want to achieve, how to get there and what resources might be needed.

How be Engaging! With Sam Langford

You've got a great topic, but how do you make people care? This series of two 1-hour workshops with science communicator, content creator and event producer Sam Langford explores storytelling and engagement techniques to help hook your audience and make them want to learn more.

Sam’s sessions offer up something for all levels of experience with outreach and public engagement, including those new to science communication and those with experience who are looking to supplement or refresh existing knowledge.

Session 1 - 22 March 2022

Enjoy a lively and highly interactive session that explores understanding your audience, storytelling techniques, and tips for getting your message across in different formats such as lectures, interactive talks, demonstrations, in writing, or via a tabletop stall.

Please note, Session 1 part 1 finishes at the start of a breakout room activity. For this activity one participant describes an image to the other participants who cannot see the image. These participants attempt to draw the image from the description only. Session 2 starts with the feedback from the participants about the task.

Session 1, part 1

Session 1, part 2

Session 2 - 29 March 2022

Learn about using humour and working with volunteers and delve a little deeper into engagement techniques such as ‘assessment for learning’ to help engage different audiences including families.

More Information

For more information on resources available from the RSC to support you in your public engagement and outreach activities, look at the links below:

• RSC Outreach Fund – this is a competitive grant scheme that provides financial support to members, individuals and organisations in order to enable them to run chemistry-based public and schools engagement activity. On this page you will also see examples of projects that current and previous grant holders have designed and delivered.
• RSC Local Sections – these are regionally based groups of volunteer RSC members who run annual programmes of events. Many sections regularly run public and schools outreach activity, please do not hesitate to get in touch with your Local Section to see what opportunities there may be for you to get involved in activity in your area.
• Public Attitudes to Chemistry – the results of the RSC’s PAC study explore the public perceptions of chemistry and chemists and give an insight into understanding public audiences to help you engage successfully with them.
• Chemistry for All – the results of the CFA study give insight into successful engagement with schools audiences.
• Opportunities through the RSC – on our Get Involved page, you will find information about future training/workshop opportunities to develop your communication skills as well as opportunities to volunteer with projects supported by the RSC.
• Teach Chemistry – in our outreach collection, you will find a wide range of activities you can do from chemistry in your shopping basket to chemistry of sunscreens. You can access Teach Chemistry using your RSC membership log in details.
• A Future in Chemistry – if you are looking to talk about careers in chemistry, our Future in Chemistry resources are an excellent place to start.
• Sustainability - to link in with the 2021-22 RSC focus on sustainability, there is a wealth of information available on a dedicated webpage to help inspire and support related activity.
• Schools Engagement – if you are looking specifically at engaging with schools, take a look at our Education website for resources.

Contact us

If you have any questions, or would like to discuss any thoughts or ideas you have regarding public engagement and outreach activity, please do not hesitate to get in touch via email to outreach@rsc.org.