Public Engagement with Bionics – Issues surrounding bionics attract high levels of public interest, and researchers in these fields have a responsibility to inform public debate. The current work of the executive team has received high media coverage (BBC, ITV and other major news outlets) as well as on many internet sites. We are experienced in communicating science and engineering with non-experts, we regularly visit local schools and attend science festivals to talk about Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects. We will continue to actively take part in STEM-related local and national events, for instance at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition. We will create Podcasts, a Bionics Radio channel, and Bionics+ leveraged applications for specific STEM funding from other bodies such as RAEng, and IET.
Mentorship and coaching scheme: For the first time in our community, we will create a national mentorship scheme supporting the network members at all career stages. This scheme will expedite the diffusion of expertise and experience across the network and beyond.
Training in public communication: We will work with Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) to provide professional training for the members of the network. We will work with RADA to create a viable financial model. We aim to achieve a Bionics+ special registration rate that network members can benefit from. In addition, we have asked for funding to sponsor three network members per year to attend RADA workshops. This is subject to a call for application and assessment by a panel, including representation from RADA.