I am applying for a job as a lecturer. What would you take this question to mean?

[Afternoonteavirgin]

'Describe your experience of developing or undertaking research-based activities geared toward wider audiences'

The previous question was 'Please outline your recent and planned publications and related research contributions.'

I feel I have already answered some of the question (I am in the process of transcribing a study I did), while answering the previous question, so I feel there will be some repetition-or am I missing something?

Head is a bit fuzzy today, so I could well be!

I would think they're asking what outreach you've done beyond the academic community within your field.

I'd imagine it's a university with a committment to widening participation. This would be also more about activities rather than publication...so from your research what have you done to reach or engage a wider audience?

Agree with PP - they want examples of things beyond publishing in a journal where your only audience is fellow academics.

First one sounds like you're dealing with non-academic/outside your specialty. Members of the public, non specialists, for sharing with GPs for identifying risk factors in a particular disease, that kind of thing. It's the stuff that leaves academia and gets into daily usage.

Second is everything academic. What have you done and what have you got in the pipeline?

It’s about how you build impact and public engagement into your research.

Definitely about public engagement. It’s a requirement now for most funders. So have you done any public lectures, events for school children etc.

Yes, so either participatory research and/or public outreach and/or policy engagement, I would think. It depends on the field.

I think it's about research outputs being more than peer reviewed papers. Think about how you communicate with non-academics or how your research involves / benefits other communities

One question is about academic research output and plans. The other question is about public engagement with your research. So for instance you may have published on a study about bio marker discovery in lung cancer in journal of cancer research. This is academic output. However you may have also taken part in a science roadshow at the local school with a demonstration about lung cancer. This is public engagement.

Excellent, thank you all. Now I have read the replies it seems so obvious! I haven't had a question like this before, but it has been a while since I worked for a university so that makes sense!

Second one what did you research and what did you find out in other words the theory.

First question is about the process, how did you go about reaching wider audiences, who did you engage etc.

Yes, this is what they mean.

It’s probably so they can assess whether you could be of use for the impact part of the REF.

It probably is isn't it- I am going to tweak my answer a little to demonstrate a little more, now.

I rarely have really, really! Wanted a job I've applied for. But I do really want this one. I have an M.A in the subject, I know I can do it, I am over qualified actually. But, I have been out of academia (as in universities) for a long time. This may go against me. I think what will sway whether they even give me the time for an interview, is whether they like the sound of me generally, and of course, who else applies.

@Afternoonteavirgin If you look on the REF website at the impact case studies in your area, review a few of the impact case study summaries to get a feel for what is impact in your field. You could borrow a few ides as to the activities you will be developing and undertaking in the future and include that as a final sentence. Newer unis tend to like practitioners more if that’s any help?

Agree with PP. Lots of interview questions are focusing on wider participation, making research more accessible and there also seems to be a strong EDI theme. Consider these and prepare some thoughts so that you are not caught out in the interview. Good luck.

Widening participation and public engagement are two different things. The question seems to be about the latter.

Do they not require a PhD? Most academic jobs do…

Yes, not sure an MA is overqualified for most universities, particularly if you are doing research.

Wider engagement can be a whole host of things - policymakers, public speaking, radio, TV, newspapers, schools.

At lecturer level they are probably looking for the potential to impact rather than impact itself. In the next (probably 2028) REF they have reintroduced engagement - not scored as highly as impact but will capture a wider range of activities.

Oh and good luck 🍀😄

Is it a teaching fellow type role? They have lots of different names these days! That's what I do with an MSc, based on my professional qualification and experience. It's a great job tbh.

Btw if it is a teaching focussed job, staff in those roles are expected to take on quite hefty admin roles, so they may want to know that you can communicate with non expert audiences and be a good representative at open days and widening participation programmes. We don't have TEF so I don't know, but these types of activities may well feed into TEF?

If it's a more traditional research role, then yes it's likely all about impact in the REF.

They're only asking for a B.A. I have other related qualifications that are also advantageous that they're also not asking for. I feel it is worth applying, I might not be exactly who they're looking for, but perhaps other applicants may not be too.

Plus my last position was teaching postgraduates albeit in a different academic setting.