Public engagement
Using sport to explore the impact of science and engineering on society
The Centre for Sports Engineering Research is a strong advocate of public engagement in science and engineering and has become a widely respected provider of curriculum enrichment activities for schools and colleges. Driven by the desire to challenge negative preconceptions about science and engineering amongst the young, and wishing to stimulate scientific debate amongst the general population, the group has delivered a great many projects and activities.
Sport has a unique ability to capture the imagination and to stimulate the aspirations. Science and engineering has dramatically shaped the modern sporting world, sometimes causing controversy, but always generating fascination. From forces and motion in athletics to aerodynamics in football, sport offers a remarkably popular and engaging context in which the concepts of science and engineering can be explored.
The Centre offers a range of services and activities to interested parties. We deliver much sought after lectures for public audiences and schools; and we work with numerous media organisations. Our drive to reposition science and engineering as part of our mainstream culture has led us to work in partnership with a diverse range of organisations including the Arts Council, Chol Theatre, Sheffield Theatres, Museums Sheffield and the British Council to name a few.
You can find out more about the work we're doing on our Engineering Sport blog.
Current projects
Sports Lab - The Science behind the Medals
Working in partnership with Museums Sheffield, and with funding from the Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC), the Centre has developed an interactive exhibition about sports science and technology.
Sports Lab opened at the Weston Park Museum in Sheffield at the end of January 2011 and will run through to November. At least 100,000 individuals will visit the exhibition and enjoy a host of interactive exhibits and beautiful objects.
After its initial opening in Sheffield, Sports Lab will tour other museums, including the V&A Museum of Childhood, in 2012.
Extraordinary Moves
Extraordinary Moves is a major contracted strand of Yorkshire's Cultural Programme for 2012, imove. The project explores the myriad of ethical and moral questions surrounding the use of enhancement technologies and delves into the world of disability sport.
The Centre is working with a number of leading artists and organisations to deliver a groundbreaking programme of work including; performance, film, theatre, dance, photography and debate. Lead partners include Chol Theatre, Jason Minsky, Paul Floyd Blake and Kaite O Reilly.
The project has been awarded the London 2012 Inspire Mark, making the work officially part of the Cultural Olympiad.
Current fellowships
EPSRC Senior Media Fellowship
Steve Haake is a senior media fellow funded by the EPSRC. His aim is to use the high levels of interest in the 2012 Olympic Games to raise the profile of science through the media.
The media activity, led by Steve, will take place at the same time as sporting events leading up to and during the Olympics.
Royal Academy of Engineering Public Engagement Fellow
David James is the Royal Academy of Engineering's first public engagement fellow. This prestigious accolade reflects David's considerable talent and achievements in the field of public engagement and has allowed him to focus on exploring the ethics of enhancement technologies.
The fellowship has also taken David to a number of high profile stages including Cheltenham Science Festival and the Royal Academy itself.
A selection of previous projects
| 2009 | RA3 Christmas lectures A series of four showcase sports engineering lectures for KS2 students in South Yorkshire. |
| 2008 | Yorkshire Forward events, education and skills strategy A consultation exercise and strategy paper to link major sporting events to skills and education. |
| 2008 | Northern Racing College interactive exhibition An interactive museum of horse racing. |
| 2008 | Kirklees Council Olympic Handover project Delivery of sports science workshops in Dewsbury schools plus activities at the Beijing to Dewsbury Olympic handover event. |
| 2008 | British Council Beijing Young Advocates Programme Development and delivery of a five day workshop during the Paralympics. |
| 2008 | Create Maths event at the English Institute of Sport A fantastic one day event for 300 KS2 students from across Yorkshire. |
| 2007 | British Council Beijing Sports Science Exhibition The delivery of a major sports technology exhibition plus wrap around lectures and workshops in Beijing. Over 70,000 visitors in a six week period. |
| 2007 | Cre8ate Maths (Yorkshire Forward STEM project) Development of maths workshop and lecture for project launch event on behalf of Sheffield Hallam's Centre for Science Education. |
| 2006-08 | Enhancing Education using Sport - European Social Fund A major project encompassing sports engineering workshops as well as enterprise events and student journalism placements. 30 'events' reaching 2,200 students. |
If you would like further information about any areas relating to public engagement, please contact Dr David James.
Sheffield Hallam University is not responsible for the content of external websites
