New UKRI-funded Centre launched to boost public engagement in arts and humanities research

A new Centre for Public Engagement Practice in Arts and Humanities has opened at the School of Advanced Study, University of London, enabling projects aimed at building public participation in research through innovative networks, tailored advice, dynamic training resources, and interdisciplinary collaborations.  

The Centre, which is supported by UK Research Innovation (UKRI), will create opportunities for humanities researchers, practitioners, as well as a wide range of research, cultural and community organisations.  

Taking humanities public engagement as its starting point, the Centre will address challenges in the public engagement landscape working broadly across the arts, humanities and social sciences. It will foster connections with other disciplines to create interdisciplinary knowledge and understanding of how public engagement can be effectively developed and supported.  

The Centre will be a major new programme of work for SAS, demonstrating the School’s commitment to advancing the public value of humanities and providing unique resources and training for current and future researchers.   

The Centre aims to transform the public engagement landscape through the creation of networks across higher education, humanities, and research sectors, the development of new networks and partnerships, additional and valued resources for advice and skills training, and encouraging bold, innovative, and interdisciplinary collaboration.  

Examples include the creation of practice-based networks designed to expand the future of public engagement, partnerships with digital learning experts to deliver dynamic open-access training, and new platforms for documenting and promoting engagement activities. These initiatives will connect participants from different sectors and disciplines, pushing boundaries in creative, collaborative work.  

With a significant investment from UKRI through the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the UKRI public engagement programme of £1.8m over six years, the Centre will align to the UKRI Public Engagement Strategy and AHRC’s Strategic Delivery Plan, which both make significant engagement commitments in support of UKRI’s overall principles for change. The Centre will invest £450,000 in engagement projects carried out by researchers and their partners.   
 
SAS and the Centre will contribute to this objective by providing UKRI with functions to promoting collaboration and shared endeavour in engagement. The Centre will also reinforce investments AHRC has made as a long-term funding partner of the Being Human Festival, and will work alongside the Festival to expand support for humanities public engagement across the UK. 

Professor Jo Fox, Dean of the School of Advanced Study, said:    

“The Centre represents an exciting step forward for the humanities. By bringing together researchers, leaders, and organisations, this new institution will help bridge gaps and support innovative, groundbreaking work of value to people and communities across the country.    

“We are grateful to UKRI for their support and partnership in this vital endeavour. The Centre will be a transformative addition to the UK’s public engagement landscape, and help further realise the School’s mission of facilitating and promoting humanities research.”   

AHRC Executive Chair Professor Christopher Smith said:  

“Everything humans have ever thought, said, designed or performed falls into the remit of arts and humanities. We study what it is to be human, and the conditions that allow us to flourish or falter.  

“That means everyone has a stake in and has a contribution to make to what we study. 

“We are delighted to support this Centre and look forward to seeing it take forward our vision of co-created and co-designed research and innovation through arts and humanities.”