Some of the key projects and programmes the Beltane Network contributes to.
EXPLORATHON
Explorathon 4D is the second Scottish proposal to be funded by the European Commission as part of European Researchers’ Night. The Beltane Network (both core team and key staff at Beltane partner universities) coordinates activities taking part in the Edinburgh region.
Researchers’ Night is a European Commission initiative which gives members of the public the chance to meet researchers and find out about their latest discoveries. It takes part in more than 300 European cities on the last Friday in September each year. This year the celebration expands across the UK to include events in London, Tring, Bristol, York, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Explorathon is funded under the European Commissions Marie Sklodowska-Curie actions programme.
NUCLEUS (New Understanding of Communication, Learning and Engagement in Universities and Scientific Institutions)
NUCLEUS is a four-year project that aims to develop a New Understanding of Communication, Learning and Engagement in Universities and Scientific Institutions. With a consortium of 24 international partners, €4 million of funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme, and a focus on practical implementation, its goal is to overcome institutional barriers to responsible research and innovation (RRI).
Beltane’s core staff, Heather Rea and Sarah Anderson, are official members of the project team. The idea is to share what they learn with other colleagues in Edinburgh, and beyond.
Edinburgh Active Citizenship Group
The Group regularly holds large scale, participatory public seminars on topical issues related to citizenship. These have included events about the Scottish Parliament, the media, globalisation, war, anti-social behaviour, prostitution and the issues surrounding the G8 summit. Members of Edinburgh’s Active Citizenship Group come from organisations such as the Workers’ Educational Association, the Global Justice Now, the City of Edinburgh Council’s Community Learning & Development and the University of Edinburgh.
Beltane’s core staff, Heather Rea and Sarah Anderson, share a position on the organising group.
Cabaret of Dangerous Ideas
The Cabaret of Dangerous Ideas (CoDI) provides an informal but high-profile platform for researchers to discuss their work with members of the public. It is curated by the Beltane Public Engagement Network (core team, with support from key staff at partner universities), produced by Fair Pley, and compered by comedian Susan Morrison.
PhD in an Hour
One PhD student, one fascinating topic, one café/pub, one hour. On the first Tuesday of the month, PhD in an Hour speakers share their PhD research with a non-specialist audience over a drink. The events are an ideal way to dip a toe in the waters of public engagement; they’re great viva practice, too.
The Beltane core team run these events in partnership with the Just Festival.
Edinburgh International Film Festival’s work with researchers
Krysty Wilson-Cairns, 2016 EIFF Screenwriter-in-Residence
In 2015 and 2016, the Beltane core team have worked in partnership with the Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) on a programme of activities that bring researchers and screenwriters together.
- 2016/17 EIFF Screenwriter-in-Residence
- 2016 Write to Research
- 2015 Wellcome Trust Ideas Lab
