Engaging Environments was a five-year public engagement project funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) between 2019 and 2024 (NE/S017437/1).
In response to the climate emergency and the intersectional challenges of environmental and social justice, EE sought to build the capacity of environmental scientists and diverse communities to work towards equitable partnerships that help reduce the impact of the climate and biodiversity crisis on the most affected people and places.
Here, we share our investigations into inclusive research practices, addressing inherent power dynamics, the creation of safe and inclusive spaces, accountability processes, and a collective reimagining of what public engagement environmental science can look like when justice, care, equity and cultural relevance are placed at the centre.
We hope this website and our Final Report can be touchstones for those committed to walking this path, such that EE can make a long-term contribution to creating conditions for change.
As part of the NERC-funded Engaging Environments programme, a Community of Practice was established in the Tyne & Wear region, led by a team from University of Newcastle based at the Dove Marine Laboratory, to explore co-created research with local communities. Here, we share information about the projects, key outcomes and learnings, as guidance for […]
Stories
Dr Cindy Regalado is an entrepreneur and researcher with years of experience in environmental monitoring, social policy, community development, programme monitoring and evaluation, and public engagement in science and technology. She earned a BAH and MSc at the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada, where she developed a passion for social and rural innovation. More recently, […]
Stories
BLAST is a pop-up festival and community engagement platform based in Birmingham, UK, that fuses the power of science arts and Black culture to bring people together to exchange knowledge and ideas, and collaborate for change. BLAST is led by its Founder and Director, Anita Shervington, a community organiser and engagement strategist who has been […]
Stories
This report shares the findings of an enquiry into how a community of creative technology practitioners, within Pervasive Media Studio’s network, understand and enable life-affirming futures. This enquiry was co-produced by Watershed and UWE Bristol and supported by the Digital Cultures Research Centre and NERC Community for Engaging Environments [Grant ref NE/S017437/1]. Hyperlinked references, acknowledgements, and contributor biographies […]
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This final report offers an overview of EE partnership activities and outcomes. It provides NERC, UKRI, and other funders, as well as HEIs, researchers, SMEs, community organisers, and cultural organisations with evidence of the value of equitable research and engagement. These examples can be used to raise the profile and recognise the importance of culturally […]
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Over the summers of 2022 and 2023, as part of the Engaging Environments programme, Dr Cecilia Medupin at the University of Manchester (UoM) developed a pilot study focusing on ‘Connectivity & Inclusivity in Higher Education – a solutions’ based approach’. This came after Dr Medupin’s convening of the Women in Environmental Sciences network through 2018 […]
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