Public Engagement with Research

Public engagement with research describes the many ways our researchers inspire and engage members of the public with the design, conduct and dissemination of research.

As a signatory to the National Coordinating Centre's Manifesto for Public Engagement, the University strives to embed public engagement in all that we do, to ensure our research is societally relevant, accessible and inclusive.

Engaging the public and our communities with our research is vital to the University's mission to create and exchange knowledge for the benefit of society, and an integral part of Strategy 2025. Our Engaged Research Strategic Plan sets out how we will embed our vision, driving public dialogue around issues that will affect all of us in the future. Our approach has been co-developed with  communities across the West Lothian region, working with a range of people from different localities and lived experiences to share their views through informal dialogue.

Heriot-Watt researchers engage with audiences in a variety of ways, including public events, exhibitions and festivals, through social media engagement, debate, dialogue and discussion. We also seek to involve the public in our research through citizen science, participatory action research, consultation, co-design and co-production. Festivals across our global locations give us the opportunity to share our research with a wide range of public audiences inspiring an engaging diverse community in our research.

Our stories

What does engagement look like in practice? At Heriot-Watt, engagement takes many forms, showcasing the diverse ways our staff and students connect with various audiences. Through a wide array of activities, we share the excitement and impact of our work. These case studies illustrate the mutual benefits of research engagement, enriching the experiences of our researchers, the public, schools, patients, and community groups alike.