At our BTRU, we believe research should be for everyone, and not just an isolated activity in labs or universities. That’s why we are increasing our focus on public engagement. We want to share our ideas, spark conversations, and make sure our innovations tackle issues that really matter.
Public Engagement is about inviting people into the conversation. It includes discussions, events, collaborative projects and social media that help us make our work transparent, inclusive, and responsive to society’s needs. By fostering curiosity and trust, we hope to promote meaningful change and inspire the next generation to care about science and research.
To bring our research closer to the public, Patient and Public Partners have been working closely with researchers and BTRU management to enhance our public visibility and communication. We want to make our website more accessible and engaging. We are also co-creating a Public Engagement Toolkit. This Toolkit will be packed with exciting resources to help our team to start two-way conversations in schools, community centres, science fairs, and cultural events—bringing BTRU research to the places where people naturally are.
Our BTRU has held several strategic meetings to understand:
- How to communicate complex research in ways that are clear and engaging.
- What excites people about our work and the concerns they may have.
- How to actively raise awareness and encourage conversations.
- What motivates patients and the public to get involved with the BTRU - and the barriers that stand in their way.
Evelyn, a long-standing Patient Partner in the BTRU, explains more:
“Last month the PPIE group met online with some of the researchers to work on ideas which would generate interest in the research. Suggestions put forward included: posters and artwork; simple science-related activities; videos; fun facts and factsheets, and featured, among other things, beads, vinegar, freebies and microscopes! The trick to creating a useful Toolkit will be to get the right balance between over-simplification and information overload, and over-enthusiasm and practicality”
Vlada, the Programme Manager, is clear about the value of this work:
“These meetings are an exemplary collaborative effort where a strategic discussion and a lively exchange of views help drive the BTRU initiatives forward and increase the public’s awareness of them. It is essential to continue these discussions and make sure that the public's needs and expectations are always in synchrony with the strategic objectives of large research centres like our BTRU.”
Public engagement isn’t just an add-on to research; it’s at the heart of making our research and science matter. Working together is helping the BTRU to build connections in the community that can make a real difference to those living with blood cancer or blood disorders.