Ignite 2014: Newcastle University’s small grants scheme is now open.

Ignite is a small grants scheme run by Newcastle University’s Engagement Team to foster new projects and ideas from staff and students across the University. For 2014, our Ignite small grants scheme is being offered to help staff and students develop outreach activities that can contribute to the 9th edition of the ¡VAMOS! Festival, taking place between 6th and 22nd June 2014.

In the year that sees Brazil host the World Cup, ¡VAMOS! Festival 2014 will include:

• A vibrant street carnival
• Exclusive film premieres
• An outdoor family picnic
• A large-scale, pop-up restaurant
• A major literary conference with internationally renowned speakers
• Cutting edge visual art commissions by international artists

While ¡VAMOS! may initially appear niche in its celebration of Spanish and Portuguese speaking cultures, a quick look at programmes from previous years (www.vamosfestival.com) will show the variety of activities and events that have taken place under its umbrella. Combining cuisine, art, film, theatre, dance, music, literature, fashion, sport and education, activities have ranged from Mexican wrestling and costume making workshops for the Tyne Carnival to pop up film and food events, and a more traditional programme of lectures and debates.

They are encouraging proposals across all schools and departments within the University, and for the first time, we are including student societies. A proposal could range from a standalone event, to the development of a float for the Tyne Carnival, to a longer term project or series of events that can contribute in some way to the Festival. Creativity is encouraged, and tenuous links will not be ruled out! They are looking in particular for proposals that will:

• effectively engage local communities with our teaching and research
• welcome visitors onto our campus and showcase the University’s resources and facilities
• celebrate our international community of staff and students

Grant applications must be received by the closing deadline of Friday 17th January 2014. Completed forms should be returned to Kate Hudson, University Engagement Manager (kate.hudson@ncl.ac.uk). Please also get in touch with Kate directly if you would like to discuss any initial ideas, or would like some further support developing ideas.

Leading Edge

Leading Edge is having a recruitment drive for enthusiastic PhD students and Post-docs.

Standing up for Science media workshops

Sense About Science’s Standing up for Science media workshops encourage early career researchers to get their voices heard in public debates about the sciences, engineering and medicine. Workshops are aimed at PhD students, postdocs or equivalent in a first job.

Date: 26th November 2013
Time: 10:30am-5:00pm
Venue: Glasgow University

To apply for a place, please send a CV and short cover letter to Victoria Murphy, Sense About Science by 14th November 2013 (vmurphy@senseaboutscience.org). The Newcastle University Engagement Team will cover costs for transport and one nights’ accommodation for any successful applicants (Please contact rose.wu@ncl.ac.uk).

The workshops address concerns about speaking to the public and confront misconceptions about how the media works, and consist of three sessions:
• Science in the media: What happens when research announcements go wrong; statistics are manipulated; risk factors are distorted; or discussions become polarised?
• What journalists are looking for: How do journalists approach stories and balance the need for news and entertainment with reporting science? And deal with accusations of polarising debates and misrepresenting facts?
• Standing up for science; the nuts and bolts: This session offers practical guidance for early career researchers to get their voices heard in debates about science; how to respond to bad science when you see it; and top tips for if you come face-to-face with a journalist!

Opportunity to engage new audiences with your research!

Hi all,

Please see below for details of a nice opportunity to engage new audiences with your research:

“If you’d like to disseminate your research in an unique and innovative way, perhaps it’s time you tried your hand at stand-up comedy with Bright Club.

Each event is compèred by a professional comedian then academics and researchers take the mic to talk about their subject in a light-hearted and entertaining way. Bright Club was born from a collaboration between UCL, One Green Firework and music promoters Duel in the Deep before spreading across the country.

After two and a half sell-out years on the Newcastle comedy scene, Bright Club Newcastle returns to The Stand on 26 November at 8.00pm, and organisers The Centre for Life in collaboration with Newcastle and Northumbria Universities are offering the opportunity for academics/researchers from the north east to perform. Training is given to help tailor your material for an audience of comedy enthusiasts.

This training will take place on Monday 21st October, 12.00-14.00pm at The Centre for Life and will be run by professional comedian Susan Morrison and science communicator (and previous Bright Club act) Elin Roberts. There will be other opportunities to rehearse and fine tune your set, including a 2 hour rehearsal on the day of the event itself.

This training will take place on Monday 21st October, 12.00-14.00pm at The Centre for Life and will be run by professional comedian Susan Morrison and science communicator (and previous Bright Club act) Elin Roberts. There will be other opportunities to rehearse and fine tune your set, including a 2 hour rehearsal on the day of the event itself.

If you are interested in the possibility of enhancing the impact of your research in this most unusual way, please contact Duncan Yellowlees (duncan.yellowlees@life.org.uk).”

Bright Club Newcastle
Training Session
21 October 2013
12pm-14.00pm
Centre for Life
Book a place – Email duncan.yellowlees@life.org.uk