Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - reSEARCH (Re(search))

Teaser

reSEARCH (Probe) was an immersive, spectacular event held on September 29th 2017 in the iconic Front Square of Trinity College Dublin, designed to engage with citizens and showcase the fantastic research and researchers of the university as part of European Researchers’...

Summary

reSEARCH (Probe) was an immersive, spectacular event held on September 29th 2017 in the iconic Front Square of Trinity College Dublin, designed to engage with citizens and showcase the fantastic research and researchers of the university as part of European Researchers’ Night. The coordinator of the action was Science Gallery Dublin. At Probe 2017, members of the public were invited to meet the people whose work will change our lives, solve global issues, and lead to a safer, healthier and more equal society. The audience was invited to explore solutions to society’s biggest problems & learn about cutting-edge thinking through debates, interactive workshops, cooking workshops, screenings & much more.
The aim of the event was to spark engaging, collaborative and useful conversations about how research is addressing the seven societal challenges laid out by the European Commission. The following questions were presented to the public in advance of and during the event to act as a catalyst for delving into these issues further:

How can we reduce global inequality?
What will transport and our city look like in the future?
How can we reduce global warming?
How do we solve our health problems?
How do we secure food and water resources for the future?
How do we protect our freedom and security?
How will we generate energy in the future?

Probe 2017 aimed to bring researchers closer to the general public and increase awareness of research and innovative activities, with a view to supporting the public recognition of researchers, creating an understanding of the impact of researchers\' work on citizen’s daily life, and encouraging young people to embark on research careers. The project reached its objectives and proved to be successful.

Work performed

\"Overview of the results (WP1)
o Conception, production & display of promotional material such as posters and leaflets distributed throughout the city via Dublin’s network of public libraries, tourist information centres and hotels, and included in all entrance packs for \"\"freshers\"\" starting their university courses in Trinity College Dublin during September ;
o Direct contacts to special interest groups about content and events at Probe that may be of particular interest to them;
o Publication of a half-page advertisement in Totally Dublin (city’s most widely-read cultural free-sheet publication);
o Public advertising: display of posters throughout the city via Irish Poster Advertising;
o Direct mailing to Trinity College Dublin students and alumni (including social media shares);
o Display of videos through the Micromedia Network in a variety of locations across the city including other college campuses;
o Creation of a project page on the Trinity College Dublin website, https://www.tcd.ie/research/probe;
o Creation of special pages for individual events and venues on the Science Gallery website: e.g. Main Stage (https://dublin.sciencegallery.com/probe2017/mainstage), Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institutes (https://dublin.sciencegallery.com/events/2017/09/probe2017debatemandatoryvaccination) with links to registration facility (free tickets);
o Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/TCDProbe/;
o Hundreds of followers & likes;
o Realisation of photo gallery & video, displayed at the following links: https://www.facebook.com/pg/TCDProbe/photos/ and www.facebook.com/pg/TCDProbe/videos/ ;
o Advertising on city-based listings sites, event guides and websites in the run-up to the event;
o Prominent feature of the event In the weeks ahead in Science Gallery Dublin’s widely-read online newsletter and social media streams;
o Display of the Probe hashtag (#TCDProbe) prominently to encourage interested parties to seek further information online;
o Digital advertising, including Google AdWords and Facebook Ads, (advertising the event and its focus on societal changes);
o Continuous advertising an through social media channels including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Periscope and Snapchat, partners\' communications teams;
o 84.466 impressions reached by promoted posts on Facebook;
o 86.647 impressions reached by promoted posts on Twitter;
o Several thousand people made aware of the European Researchers\' night and its objectives.

Overview of the results (WP2)
Offer of the activities as described in the Annex I Part B to the grant agreement:
Interactive and engaging activities including music, talks, performance, films, experiments & workshops;
Some events in indoor venues were ticketed (but still free of charge);
Events organised under four main outdoor marquees:
Get Personal;
Maker Space;
Café Curie;
Main Stage;
Indoor venues: Debating Chamber, Conversation Room, Trinity Long Room Hub, the Douglas Hyde Gallery and the Sports Hall (used as a venue for an afternoon event for schools);

Special training for researchers

Active involvement of 76 researchers, of whom at least 13 having benefitted from support through MSC schemes;
4.500 visitors having taken part in the activities offered.\"

Final results

Overview of the results (WP3)
o Collection, analysis and processing of 208 feedbacks under the form of filled questionnaires and 60 that took part in the follow up;
o Main conclusions:
o Typology of visitors: 56 % aged 22-39, 21 % 18-21 and 17 % 40-53, 75 % female and 25 % male, 75 % white , 14 % Asian, about 5 % for both African Caribbean and mixed or multiple ethnics groups, 60 % with annual income over 23.000 £, 44 % full time employed, 11 % unemployed, 83 % newcomers, 8 % attending with children;
o Knowledge about the event: 42 % public advertising, 24 % mailing, 18 % word of mouth, 16 % attended previous year, 13 % Facebook, 6 % leaflet...
o Overall positive feedback about the event (Activities, contacts with researchers, venues and location, concrete organisation, scheduling);
Some quotes from attendees
o “It was great event and the fact that it was after working hours, I could easily attend.”
o “Put up more links to researcher\'s website on Probe\'s site perhaps”
o “Thank you for your effort to make the event such successful! I appreciate the flyer about the programme. I am interested to be notified about any other similar event.”
o “I think it would have been better on a Saturday or Sunday day rather than Friday evening. I was coming from work and others properly were too plus it\'s a night when many people would like to go out socialising”
o “The event seemed hidden within the protection of the university. An event like this would
be more effective held at a place or event where high school students and their families are gathered - or in a public space like a shopping mall. This would demonstrate the commitment of the university to reach out and would touch far more people.”
o This should be a quarterly event - do one in the summer!!”
o “It was a fantastic event! I enjoyed it immensely, the only criticism was that I wasn\'t able
to make it to all the events!”
Some quotes from researchers
o “Very well organised and run, smooth operations and clear communications.”
o “Sometimes there was a lot of participation in some tents, and this made impossible to hear correctly what people were explaining in other tents, so the sound systems need to
be tuned it better.”
o “The logistics people were very helpful and nice!”
o “Go team science”
o “Thanks - I enjoyed the event!”
o “It was an amazing experience”

Website & more info

More info: http://www.tcd.ie/research/probe/.