Engaging the Public with Cutting-Edge Research

The European Research Council (ERC) recognizes that scientific research doesn’t exist in a bubble — it has a profound impact on society. To highlight this connection, the ERC offers the Public Engagement with Research Award.

This award celebrates researchers who actively engage with the public, making their findings accessible and fostering discussions that go beyond academic circles.

Discover the 6 winners

What is Public Engagement?

Public engagement in research involves sharing discoveries with people outside the scientific community. It’s not just about explaining results, but also about inviting the public to participate in the research process or reflect on its significance. This can include:

• Citizen science projects, where the public collaborates in the research, helping collect data or even shaping the research questions.
• Outreach activities, such as exhibitions, workshops, or public talks, where complex ideas are translated into engaging stories that everyone can understand.
• Consultation and dialogue with different groups to address societal challenges or spark public debate.

The nominated researchers from Ghent University

For the 2024 edition of the Awards, 2 projects by researchers from Ghent University were nominated:

Mariek Vandenabeele - ON/OFF: Understanding Digital Well-Being

Mariek Vandenabeele’s ERC project explores how people cope with being connected to the digital world 24/7. The research, involving over 1300 citizens, was conducted through a collaboration with a newspaper, De Standaard. Participants shared their daily experiences through questionnaires, contributing to valuable insights on digital habits. These findings were shared with the public through news articles, interactive tests, and community events, helping individuals better understand and manage their digital well-being.

Ilse Derluyn - ChildMove: Supporting Young Refugees

Ilse Derluyn’s ERC-funded project addresses the mental health of young refugees who migrate without their parents. This research doesn’t just stay within the academic world but is actively shared with policymakers and practitioners at regional and international levels. Through podcasts, blogs, workshops, and presentations, ChildMove has made significant contributions to shaping policies that better support vulnerable young people on their migration journeys.

Ghent University: championing public engagement

At Ghent University, public engagement is a core value. The university encourages its researchers to take their work beyond academic journals and engage with the wider public, contributing to societal debates and raising awareness of important challenges.

Ghent University welcomes initiatives like the ERC Public Engagement with Research Award and supports its researchers in sharing their work with a broad audience, inspiring both the public and future generations of scientists.

The university’s EU-team offers guidance and assistance to researchers who wish to apply for this prestigious award. By providing the necessary tools and support, Ghent University ensures that its researchers have every opportunity to participate in these initiatives, further highlighting the importance of communicating science in ways that reach and benefit society at large.

Why is this important?

Engaging with the public ensures that scientific research can make a real difference in the world. By sharing knowledge beyond universities, researchers can inspire future scientists, inform policy changes, and help the public understand how science impacts their lives. Moreover, involving the public in research can lead to new perspectives and more relevant outcomes.

Researchers who excel in these efforts are eligible for the ERC Public Engagement with Research Award, which not only provides recognition but also a prize of €10,000 to further support their work. At Ghent University, this award is seen as an excellent opportunity to promote dialogue between science and society, a mission that the university strongly endorses.

Contact

EU-team UGent
eu-team@ugent.be