Does your research look to understand water and its role in the environment and health? Then Waterscapes is the project for you!
Whether you're investigating water-related issues from a physical or social sciences perspective, Waterscapes will provide you with an opportunity to engage with diverse publics across the Bath and Bristol areas.
Following receipt of a grant from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and in conjunction with Bristol Natural History Consortium and the Milner Centre, we're offering a range of developmental and engagement opportunities for researchers from postgraduate level up:
Learn how to develop water-based activities for Festivals, trialling these at Bath Taps into Science in March and the Festival of Nature in June
Come along to an evening debate in Bath, Bristol or Keynsham to discuss a variety of water topics
Network with other water-interested groups, people and researchers
Reflect on the challenges and experiences of undertaking water-based public engagement activities
GET INVOLVED!
(A) TRAINING:
1) Getting ready for festivals
Wednesday 8th February 12.30 - 3.30pm OR Thursday 16 February 12.30 - 3.30pm. Register here: http://www.bath.ac.uk/learningandteaching/rdu/courses/pgskills/training/RP00441.html
Gain expert advice on how to deliver engaging, water-based public engagement activities that you can then trial at Bath Taps into Science and the Festival of Nature.
In this practical workshop we’ll take you through a process for devising public engagement activities. Using real-world examples and hands-on activities, participants will devise a brand new engagement activity which could be used in a Pathways to Impact section of a grant.
The course will also help you think about how to evidence public engagement for the “research and scholarship” strand of promotion and probation criteria.
2) Getting ready for festivals: Drop-in session
Thursday 9 March, 12.30pm - 4pm
An informal opportunity for you to bring along your draft water-based public engagement activities for feedback from our Festival experts. If you'd like to take advantage of this opportunity, please email Dr Helen Featherstone (Head of Public Engagement) at: h.featherstone@bath.ac.uk
(B) DEBATES:
A series of debates with panels of experts are planned as below. Attendance is free and you'll be able to register soon.
(1) Waste Water & Water Waste
Monday 6 March, 6.30 - 9pm, Watershed, Bristol BS1 5TX
How can we deal with existing litter and prevent the littering of our waterways?
Which pollutants are entering waterways, what are the risks and what can be done about it?
What is 'waste water runoff' and what can be done to prevent it?
(2) How water shaped Bath
Monday 13 March, 6.30 - 9pm, Brunswick Room, Guildhall, Bath BA1 5AW
What's the history of flooding in Bath?
Is flooding a solely natural phenomenon and to what extent can human activities create it?
How has Bath's architecture developed to stop, prevent or escape from flooding?
(3) Healthy Water
Thursday 23 March, 6.30 - 9pm, Keynsham Community Space, BS31 1FS
How are antibiotics and other pharmaceuticals impacting local river sources?
What risks does this pose for the health of farmed animals, and the wider ecosystem?
Rowers, boaters, wild swimmers and anglers: how can we safeguard the waterways for leisure and wellbeing?
(C) NETWORKING:
Bristol Natural History Consortium are arranging a series of stakeholders planning days for people to discover all the opportunities to be part of the Festival of Nature.
Bring your own fresh ideas and suggestions to help shape the programme, and meet some of the 200+ organisations that get involved each year over a spot of lunch.
Thursday 9 February, 10.30am - 12.30pm - Keynsham: Book your tickets here.
Tuesday 7 March, 2.30 - 5.30pm - Bristol: Book your tickets here.
Thursday 16 March, 10am - 12pm - Bath: Book your tickets here.
If you have any questions about any of the above, please do contact Dr Helen Featherstone (Head of Public Engagement) at: h.featherstone@bath.ac.uk
. 
Respond
