Be Curious moves online for 2020
Following the success of #BeCuriousGoesVirtual earlier this year, preparations are underway to ensure you can enjoy even more world-leading research from the comfort of your own home.
This year’s Be Curious takes to the web
The #BeCuriousGoesVirtual showcase saw three weeks of exciting resources and online videos shared on Twitter, with content achieving more than 130,000 impressions.
Researchers from across campus showed a creative approach to the challenges of engaging audiences in a virtual environment, producing everything from video demonstrations to children’s activity worksheets, board games and home-schooling resources.
All the great content shared during #BeCuriousGoesVirtual can be accessed via Padlet – an online collaborative pin board where you can share ideas.
Caption: Padlet, the online collaborative pinboard, hosts a showcase of research from Be Curious Goes Virtual
The latest physical instalment of the hugely popular open day, which is designed to engage the public in the pioneering studies undertaken at Leeds by showcasing some of our world-leading research in an easily accessible format, was due to be held on campus on Saturday 10 October.
But with ongoing social distancing measures in place across campus to protect the health of staff, students and visitors, Be Curious 2020 will go online instead. Launching on Saturday 10 October with a day full of live events, the virtual version will run until Friday 23 October.
Dr Alexa Ruppertsberg, Head of Public Engagement with Research, said: “While researchers told us they missed the engagement with people during #BeCuriousGoesVirtual in June, they also told us they believe engagement with research is more important than ever.”
The Public Engagement team is delighted to announce Greg Foot will be joining the line-up to deliver an interactive and virtual version of his Deep Ocean Lab show on Saturday 10 October. The YouTuber, BBC TV and radio presenter also produces Let’s Go Live! – an online programme he hosts every weekday with CBeebies star Maddie Moate to talk about science, nature and gardening.
Further details will be announced in due course on the Be Curious website and via the Public Engagement team’s Twitter account.
Caption: YouTuber and TV personality, Greg Foot, will be kicking off Be Curious’ virtual celebrations.
Be Curious 2020 represents the ideal opportunity for academics to showcase their research to the wider public and try their hand at virtual public engagement.
Researchers can sign up to be involved in:
- hosting live events;
- recording two-minute demonstration videos;
- taking part in our Twitter challenge; and
- helping create some amazing research-related jigsaws.
Dr Ruppertsberg added: “We are encouraging colleagues to be creative. We’ve made some suggestions of formats and how to get involved, but please don’t let that limit you.”
How to apply
Read the guidelines for taking part and complete the online form by 5pm on Friday 21 August to register your interest.
Planning and communications for the event will take place in the Engaged Research Microsoft Team. Colleagues will be added to the Team after making a submission.
Please contact the Public Engagement team for further information.
Posted in: University news