| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/T028718/1 |
| Title: |
Exploring creativity and creative thinking as an effective tool in STEM public engagement |
| Principal Investigator: |
Dougan, Professor L |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Department: |
Physics and Astronomy |
| Organisation: |
University of Leeds |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research - NR1 |
| Starts: |
01 August 2020 |
Ends: |
31 July 2023 |
Value (£): |
126,018
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Complex fluids & soft solids |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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| Panel History: |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
In 2014 the Institute of Mechanical Engineers reported on the personalisation of engineering education. The study showed that young people divide themselves broadly into five categories (termed 'Tribes'), determined by their values and beliefs, their attitudes to school, family and work, as well as their reactions to STEM as a subject and as a potential career. The report raised important questions about whether we should replace the current 'be like me' engagement approach with programmes that take difference into account, and provided specific recommendations for bespoke engagement strategies for each Tribe. The 'Creativity in Education' report published in October 2019 by the Durham Commission, a joint research collaboration between Durham University and Arts Council England, examined the role of creativity and creative thinking in the education of young people. The report recommended that embracing creativity in education has the potential to retain the creative talents and innovative abilities of many young people who do not fit the obvious STEM archetype.
I will co-create public engagement (PE) activities which embrace creativity and creative thinking to allow young people and families to explore and discover innovation in biomaterial design. Using the Bragg Centre for Materials Research at the University of Leeds as a platform, I will build a culture of creative PE and develop a framework to embed creative-led PE within research. This will be achieved through development and evaluation of my creative PE activities, as all training and support of two cohorts of PE ambassadors, leading to impactful methods of engaging diverse members of the public throughout the research cycle. A culture of inclusion, respect and equality of opportunity for all, including students, staff and the public, will be central to all activities. Longer term and informed by this work, I will influence physical scientists and engineers through the national Royce Institute to realise the wider impact of this novel approach.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.leeds.ac.uk |