Abstract

A roundtable discussion including academics at Cambridge whose work is informed by interaction with the public and civil society organisations.

A wide variety of research at Cambridge engages with publics and other ‘non-expert’ users with the explicit aim of shaping and collaborating on research. This meeting will bring together researchers who work with approaches such as inclusive or user-centred design, participatory research, action research, public engagement, patient involvement – to name but a few. The aim of the meeting is to share experiences across disciplines and to explore the potential for building on current practice through the support of the recently established Cambridge Community Knowledge Exchange, run by Nicola Buckley of the University’s Community Affairs team. The Cambridge Community Knowledge Exchange mirrors other University / civil society research brokerages (science shops) established in universities worldwide.

Reflections on the discussion will be offered by Jack Stilgoe, of the Royal Society, author of Citizen Scientists: Reconnecting Science with Civil Society.