Bringing research to Life

This summer, CPC experienced being part of the 2017 University of Southampton 'Bringing Research to Life Roadshow'. Forming a key exhibit at the Thomas Hardye School, Winchester Science Festival, BBC Countryfile Live and Bournemouth Air Festival, we were delighted to 'make learning fun' and engage with over 800 members of the public.

Overcoming the outdoor elements at festival environments, we successfully used interactive activities including our giant Connect Four quiz and giant jigsaw puzzle to share world leading social science research in a fun, easily understandable and accessible way to help tackle public misconceptions about Brexit and EU migrants.

With colourful eye catching giveaways and approachable knowledgeable staff, our stand engaged with visitors of all ages. One school-aged visitor shared that they now know "the European Union is called the EU" and another claimed that they learned "Migration is when people move from one country to another for different reasons". Even adults could learn something new, with one person commenting "I found out today that EU Migrants do not have the same rights to benefits as UK born nationals" and another observing "Many of my opinions were misconceptions, this makes you think".

Being part of the University of Southampton 'Bringing Research to Life Roadshow' was a great success for CPC and we hope to share more of our world-leading research with the public through this activity in the future. Dr Steve Dorney, Director of the University Public Engagement with Research Team who leads the Roadshow project remarked 'We were very pleased that the CPC was able to bring their migration research activities onto the annual Bringing Research to Life tour this year. Their activity design worked well with the diverse audiences we meet each year, and visitors had time and space to discuss the issues in dialogue with researchers and CPC staff.'

The answers to our quiz questions were based on CPC migration research findings. Although the Roadshow is now complete for 2017, our migration research is still accessible by downloading the following briefing papers from our website:
CPC Briefing Paper 33 'Who are the EU migrants in England and Wales?'
CPC Briefing Paper 34 'Expense turns to investment: How the welfare state supports EU migrants' economic achievements'
CPC Briefing Paper 35 'Should I stay or should I go? Strategies of EU citizens living in the UK in the context of the EU referendum'.

To keep up to date with our news and events, follow @CPCpopulation and for all Roadshow updates follow @UoS_Roadshow on Twitter

Posted 18/09/2017 09:44