Based within the University of Glasgow, the Public Engagement Group in STEMM focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Medicine (STEMM).

The group has been in place at the university since 1996, in its various forms and consists of experienced public engagement professionals with decades of experience delivering projects ranging from collaborating on community galas, to the creation of science festivals, to development of science centres. The team’s background is drawn from research, industry and education.

We develop and deliver a year round portfolio of projects, with the aim of showcasing the outstanding contribution Glasgow and Glasgow based researchers make to the worlds of science, technology, engineering, art, maths and social science (STEAM). 

We have engaged with well over 1 million participants acorss our work, supported through successfully atracting funding from Scottish and UK government, research councils and charitable trusts. 

Our largest project is the annual Glasgow Science Festival, which began in 2007 and engages with 60K+ audiences during June. More info below.

Our other team Science Connects, succesfully ran the West of Scotland STEM Ambassador hub for many years, before it was consolidated into one Scottish hub. As such, the team has moved to SSERC.  

Glasgow Science Festival

Glasgow Science Festival - more info

Glasgow Science Festival (GSF)

GSF is our largest project across our portfolio. However the team delivers a significant number of other projects throughout the year, engaging with tens of thousands of participants, also under the name GSF. Through this, we engage with a wide range of publics including adults, community groups and schools. We have a particular focus on STEM engagement in areas of socio-economic deprivation and areas considered 'hard to reach' due to geographical location. All are typically areas underserved by STEM engagement. All GSF projects are underpinned by current West of Scotland research and we collaborate with research staff and students in various capacities including, content and thematic development, grant applications, skills training, promotion and delivery.

View info on previous Glasgow Science Festivals

Year Round GSF Projects   

Below is a list of our recent and current projects, for full details and the most up to date project information please see the Community engagement section on the Glasgow Science Festival site.

  • A Shedload of Science: art/ science collaborative working with schools and community groups in North Glasgow
  • Glasgow Innovates: exhibition and event series as part of Year of innovation, Architecture and Design
  • Dumfries and Galloway Science Festival: Annual festival 'making science accessible' to local schools and community groups
  • Land Art Generator Initiative: Finalists 'Dundas Dandelions' (public art and renewables)
  • GSF Creating Engineers Competition: Annual engineering competition for schools in the West of Scotland
  • 3ML- 3 Minute Learning: online literacy resource for schools
  • Principia: 3ML development with a focus on theTim Peake mission and UK/ European Space agency
  • Fun Maths Roadshow: Supported delivery and kit box loan for hands-on maths PE in schools
  • GSF Public Engagement and Media Internships- Range of scheme working with University of Glasgow PGR's, several months to develop, promote and deliver content during and for the festival. 
  • Cosmic Cabaret: Peake Into Space – 2016 performance blending music, comedy and spoken word celecrating Tim Peake in space.
  • Panto Science: A Periodic Fable- GSF science panto
  • Prestwick Airport STEM week­­­- 2016 week long schools programme promting STEM at Prestwick airport
  • Chasing the Waves- Theatrical production focussing on the story of Glasgow reserchers input into the gravitational waves discovery
  • Explorathon- GSF delivered a series of activites at the Forge shopping centre as part of European researchers night

Partner or volunteer with us at Glasgow Science Festival

As a group we work with a wide range of individuals, organisations and companies. There are a variety of ways to get involved with the PEG in STEMM group and help you or your organisation achieve your goals. You can:

Or if there is anything else you wish to talk to us about you can Contact us

Science Connects - archive

Please note that the STEM Ambassador project was consolidated from three hubs (we managed the West of Scotland), into one hub. As such, the team moved to a new home at SSERC and Science Connects is no more

Info below for reference only

STEM Ambassador Hub West of Scotland

STEM Ambassadors are volunteers with an interest in STEM, who work free of charge with schools, teachers and pupils to stimulate and inspire interest in these subjects. They can offer valuable support in enhancing and enriching the curriculum by providing a link from the classroom to the world of work. There are over 27,000 individuals from companies or academia working as role models in schools across the UK and Science Connects has over 2000 STEM Ambassadors in the West of Scotland.

  • West of Scotland Hub responsible for 13 local authority areas, funded by STEM Learning.
  • Co-ordinate 2,000 STEM Ambassadors to work with schools and non-school groups (e.g. GSF, Glasgow Science Centre and uniform organisations)
  • 95% of 161 secondary schools have engaged with STEM Ambassadors in last 12 months

School STEM Clubs

Scottish Government funded project supporting a network of STEM clubs in Primary and Secondary schools across Scotland.