Inclusive Community case study - An open forum for public and community engagement
The UofG Engage Forum is a values-led virtual and physical platform for students, staff and partners interested in public and community engagement to come together, share ideas, network and build a community. It was founded on the basis that all participants join on an equal footing, including those from outside the University. The UofGEngage Forum is open to everyone with an interest in engagement, regardless of career stage, job family, discipline or sector.
Engaging with communities out with the University on our research has a long history at Glasgow, and huge amounts of activity to involve non-academic audiences with our research goes on every day. Despite this, colleagues didn’t have an ongoing space or opportunity to share skills, experience and expertise, information and build relationships– something the UofG Community reported they would value. In response, the UofG Engage Forum was formally launched in early 2021.
When sharing their priorities for the Forum, members raised that they wanted help to address power imbalances that get in the way of forming partnerships. The Forum’s instigators, Dr Zara Gladman, Public and Community Engagement Advisor in Research and Innovation Services, and Monique Campbell, Community Engagement Officer in the College of Social Sciences, feel that one reason the Forum has been a success is that it meets this very real need. Members need a space without time pressure and away from defined outcomes to learn and think through the moral and ethical implications of engagement work, in order to be able to plan more inclusive and equal projects.
From the start, the Forum has been led by the wishes of its members. For example, at the launch, members were encouraged to use a virtual idea sharing tool, Padlet, to share ideas which then formed the action plan. : with speakers from every College, it covered digital engagement and reaching diverse groups of people despite lockdowns. As well as events, the Forum has created its own blog and podcast, creating different channels for sharing stories from all members. The Forum’s working group continues to use the Padlet tool to crowdsource ideas for the Forum’s format and themes.
As we continue to return to in-person channels for events, the working group is exploring how meeting in person can maintain the equality of access achieved virtually, so the Forum can continue to meet inclusively whatever the format. than in in-person meetings – no one person or organisation has an advantage, for example, of not having to travel a long distance to join. Forum members recognise that keeping sight of details like this is vital to maintain its open approach.
Where can I find out more:
Find out more about the Forum on their web pages, read the blog or listen to a podcast episode. You are also welcome to join their upcoming events.
Watch a film developed by Forum members on ‘What makes a successful collaboration?’ (32m 36s)
All are welcome to access the Forum's Community Engagement course which invites all to explore, reflect and discuss community engagement.
For engagement opportunities and news, including future Forum activities, please join the Engagement Mailing List (VPN needed).