Latest
22 April 2025 - New PCER Resources available
We're pleased to share three new documents that complement the PCER Strategy and help bring its priorities to life:
- Newly designed PCER Strategy pdf - Presents the strategy in an engaging format, making it easier to navigate and understand.
- Annex A - Context and Case Studies - Offers a series of case studies illustrating the diverse ways in which PCER activity is taking shape across the University.
- PCER Strategy Poster - A quick reference guide that visually summarises the key elements of the strategy.
09 April 2025 - “We are all mutants” - Engaging A-Level Biology students with ethics and genomics
This week, we heard from Anne Goriely, Professor of Human Genetics at the MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine (WIMM) and her team about their recent work with A-level students in Southport. This work was funded by the Enriching Engagement grant scheme, a Welcome Trust funding scheme managed by our team in Public and Community Engagement with Research.
The workshop engaged A-Level Biology students with ethical questions around genomic testing in newborns. Read about their experience and watch the animation they have created here: "We Are All Mutants" — MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine
02 April 2025 - MORU-Oxford Engagement Meeting
On 27 March, members of the Public and Community Engagement with Research (PCER) team met with colleagues from the MORU Major International Programme, and other engagement colleagues from the University of Oxford. The session focused on sharing strategies for community engagement, evaluating engagement, and exploring opportunities for future collaboration.
"It was great to meet the PCER team in person and learn more about the new University strategy. We all share a passion for involving communities in research, supporting and stewarding engagement activities - I was particularly fond of this phrase - and evaluation frameworks. It was no surprise that time flew by, and we are looking forward to continuing our discussions and share our learning." (Dr Anne Osterrieder, Engagement Evaluation and Learning Lead, Bioethics and Engagement, MORU)
MORU’s mission is to improve health and wellbeing in low-resource settings, with community engagement at its core. The MORU Bioethics and Engagement team facilitates a dynamic community and public engagement programme, ensuring that research remains responsive to local needs and cultural contexts. At the heart of this programme is a growing network of seven advisory boards, many of which include members from underserved communities. Researchers regularly meet with these boards to seek guidance on research and health initiatives. The MORU team also presented their long-term engagement strategy for 2025-2032, which includes capacity-building activities, involving communities in research and co-creating communication materials with them, and evaluating the impact of MORU engagement activities.
These efforts align with the PCER team’s strategic objectives to integrate engagement into research and work closely with communities affected by research, ensuring their voices shape the process.
To learn more about MORU’s work, watch their latest Community Advisory Board video, explore their website, or view their brochure Working with communities, advisory groups, policy makers and partners.
24 March 2025 - PCER Fund awardees: Hilary Term 2025
The Hilary term round of the PCER Fund is complete and we’re pleased to introduce our latest awardees.
This term we received 21 proposals for funding to carry out public and community engagement with research activities. These went through a rigorous review process and we were delighted to fund 11 projects from across the University.
Meet our awardees here and read about their work.
The next opportunity to apply for funding is the Trinity term deadline on 19 May. You can read more about the PCER Fund here and apply.
15 January 2025 - PCER Fund announcement
We’re delighted to announce the awardees of the PCER Fund’s Michaelmas term round.
We received a number of high-quality applications to carry out a wide variety public and community engagement with research activities. Applications spanned divisions and disciplines, with planned activities taking place here in Oxford, across the UK and internationally. We were pleased to receive applications from researchers and public engagement professionals with varying levels of experience. Thank you to all who applied.
Meet our awardees and read about their projects.
If you're a researcher or public engagement professional interested in funding for public and community engagement activities learn more about the PCER Fund and apply.
09 December 2024 - Enter the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards now
We encourage colleagues across the university to enter the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards 2025.
The awards recognise the achievements and celebrate success across the collegiate University, from academics and researchers to professional, technical and support staff.
The winners will be announced at a special ceremony hosted by the Vice-Chancellor at the Sheldonian Theatre in May.
Nominations will close at noon on Monday 3 February 2025. Find out more on the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards page.
02 December 2024 - PCER Strategy 2024-2029 Launch
The University of Oxford’s Public and Community Engagement with Research Strategy for 2024-2029 has been launched online. We would like to thank colleagues from across the University, communities affected by our work and thought leaders in Higher Education for their invaluable contributions.
Join our launch event on 28 February 2025 at Reuben College to learn about our ambitions to nurture the internal environment through defining, integrating, connecting, and stewarding engagement. This will help us improve our practice in engaging with communities responsibly. If you would like to attend, please register your interest for the strategy launch event.
16 September 2024 - PCER Fund Open for Applications
The PCER Fund is open to researchers and public engagement facilitators at the University of Oxford, at any career stage, and with any level of experience in public and community engagement with research. Awards of up to £6,000 are available.
Find out more and apply for the PCER Fund.
02 September 2024 - New Academic Champion for Public and Community Engagement with Research
We are delighted to announce that Professor Anneke Lucassen is our new Academic Champion for Public and Community Engagement with Research. Anneke is Director of the Centre for Personalised Medicine, and Professor of Genomic Medicine within the Medical Sciences Division. She leads research to ensure the benefits of genomic discovery have direct relevance to patients and society. Her expertise in integrating community engagement into multidisciplinary translational research and ethics makes her an excellent advocate for responsible engagement at the University. Anneke will chair the Public and Community Engagement with Research Advisory Board and launch our 2024-2029 strategy.
04 July 2024 - Science Together Announces Community Partners for 2024/25
Science Together: Oxford Researchers and Communities nurtures collaborations between university-based researchers and community organisations. These collaborations tackle challenges and create meaningful change for people in Oxfordshire. Eight community partners have joined the 2024/25 programme to work with researchers and public engagement professionals on impactful projects addressing local challenges.