Science Uncovered Manchester European Researchers Night at Manchester MuseumFriday 25 September 2015, 4-5pm – A level social and 6-10pm – Adult social – After Hours

What is it?
Friday 25 September is European Researcher’s night and for the first time Manchester Museum will be hosting Science Uncovered Manchester – a night showcasing Manchester’s finest researchers and their work for an adult audience. There’ll be research on show, music, drinks and a lively atmosphere. Our participation in Science Uncovered event is funded by the Natural History Museum, who’ve hosted this event successfully for several years in London and Tring. European Researcher’s Night is a Europe wide initiative, in which thousands of researchers all across Europe meet the public and share their work in a social setting.

Get Involved
We want 50 researchers to join us at the Museum to share research with our curious audience. We want to give preference to research that connects to our collection, as we would love to get objects out on the night. But we’re really keen to talk about lots of research. So if you’ve got something interesting to share do get in touch?

Thinking of applying?
Fill out our online Science Uncovered Manchester application form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1iNVjaPEhG0J6NdOtAiPdTm0eOcHco-9q0AyJJN3F794/viewform by 29 June 2015. It’s not too long but helps us get a feel for what you might be interested in.

Got a question?
Contact Anna Bunney anna.bunney@manchester.ac.uk or tel: 0161 30(61581)

Ways to get involved
There are a number of ways of participating:

1) Research Stations – Show us your best work with interactive table top activities to get a conversation started. The focus of our research stations is to get chatting to the public – so leave the poster boards behind and bring your best conversation starters (objects, equipment and demonstrations). The smallest practical station would be two researchers at a time and researchers would need to work in rotation for the duration that a station is running. A limited number of large, flagship stations are possible on the night and these may have 10 or more researchers and be supported with small pop-up banners.

2) Flash talks in the Study – got something interesting to say in 3 minutes? Join us in our brand new space for curious adults, the Study. Opening on 11th September 2015, the Study is a place for discovery and creativity, for exploration and reflection. Drawing on our artefacts and knowledge it’s the perfect space for research, learning, activities, temporary exhibitions, or just to take time out in the city. In the Study you can hop on our soapbox and give us an entertaining 3 minute insight into your work.

3) Researchers speed dating – choose some fun topics or burning questions and we’ll pop them on your speed dating card. We’ll find the audience for you to have a fun informal chat about your work over a glass of wine.

We are open to your trying your hand at any of our activities but bear in mind, if you are on a research station, you’ll need to find a colleague to keep the conversation flowing while you’re away.

Is it for you?
Science Uncovered Manchester is open to a wide array of researchers including:

  • Research leaders
  • Research groups
  • Postgraduate students
  • Early career researchers

What do you get from it?
You get a fun night of conversations around your research. We will evaluate the event and include questions around the impact of research for you to use to evidence your public engagement activities. We are hoping to get a significant audience so you could reach lots of curious adults.

What’s the A-Level Social?
As the Museum has an established A-Level audience, we want to offer them a chance to participate in this one off event. Starting earlier, students will be able to meet for a tour of some of the activities on offer and quiz you about how you found your way into research. A great engagement opportunity to inspire the researchers of the future.

Posted by Anna Bunney, Engagement Manager, Manchester Museum, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL