Discussion Table: RAS 200: Sky and Earth: Engaging diverse partners and audiences with astronomy and geophysics: a new approach to public engagement
This discussion table session will present some of the projects that were funded under the RAS200 scheme, introduced to celebrate the bicentennial of the society. This fund, of £1million allowed the Society to reach a wide range of audiences across the UK. Following this, the discussion will be opened up to address some of the challenges that were faced as well as ideas as we move forward, particularly around engaging community partners, increasingly diverse audiences and the most effective ways to measure impact on the public as well as staff and the space sector as a whole.
Biography
Dr Sheona Urquhart is a lecturer in Astrophysics at the Open University and the astronomy secretary for the Royal Astronomical Society. She has many years of experience in research, teaching and working in outreach and science communication with a diverse range of audiences. She is passionate about making science both accessible and enjoyable to the public and underrepresented members of society.