Public Engagement
Involving the public with our research is essential. It benefits our research and allows us to share the benefits of that research with people it matters to. As such Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) is at the heart of what we do. This aspect of our work is overseen by Simon Watt, the Public Engagement Manager at the UCL Hawkes Institute.
Our Patient Advisory Group
2-4 times a year, our researchers meet with our Patient Advisory Group (PAG) to share our research and listen to their feedback to shape the direction of our plans. The diverse group is made of people who have experience of treatment in multiple hospitals. One of them represents the PAG at our all team meetings to make sure a patient perspective is
If you have experience of being treated in at least 2 hospitals, are based in London and would like to contribute to our work you can apply to join our group here.
Collaboration with The British Science Association
Founded in 1831, The British Science Association (BSA) is a charity aiming to create a future where science is more relevant, representative, and connected to society. They, among other things, run British Science Week, the CREST Awards and the British Science Festival.
We are collaborating with them in 3 ways:
A special category for the 2025 Poster Competition. We worked together to create the content and many members of the research team will act as judges meaning that as well as contributing to this excellent educational scheme they can review the ideas of students who enter the competition allowing these young people to feed back on our research.
2 CREST Awards. These will be a 5 hour Discovery Award project for 10-14 years old school students, and a 10 hour Bronze Award project for students older than 11. CREST is a scheme that inspires young people to think and behave like scientists and engineers, and is a mechanism for them to spend time trying to tackle some of the same kinds of challenges that our researchers face.
Discovery Days. In order to ensure that the CREST Awards are able to reach underserved audiences, the BSA and its partners run Discovery Days help the delivery of CREST resources through the Engage community of schools. We are financially supporting this.
Events
The Science of Surgery- 11th April 2025
The Science of Surgery is the UCL Hawkes Institute’s annual community celebration event, where they open their doors and invite members of the public in to meet researchers from the UCL Hawkes Institute and learn about the amazing projects they are working on. Many of our researchers will be taking part. You can find more information here.
Our Public and Patient Inclusion and Engagement work is coordinated and facilitated by the UCL Hawkes Institute Public Engagement Manager, Simon Watt.
