cc: s.torok date: Thu May 30 09:15:02 2002 from: Mike Hulme subject: Follow up to Directors meeting to: adrian.alsop@esrc.ac.uk Dear Adrian, I have discussed this with Simon Torok, our External Communications Manager and we have come up with the descriptions below - one unsuccessful and three successful communication endeavours, as we would like to think our successes in communication outweigh the failures. Please contact me if you require further information about any of these. By the way, I very much appreciated the meeting last week and the chance to meet other ESRC Directors and hear 'direct' from ESRC about new developments. Regards, Mike. ______________________________________ Successful: 1a. Tyndall artist in residence The Tyndall Centre appointed an artist ­ in collaboration with the Norwich School of Art and with funding from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation ­ to produce work about future climate change. The project aims to use art dealing with future climate to reach audiences who may not otherwise discuss the issue, influencing opinions about the threats and urgency of climate change, in order to change behaviour and tackle its causes. The artist selected by a project steering group of artists, scientists and gallery curators, Janice Kerbel, has completed an initial 30-day research period that culminated in a public lecture with 100 people attending. Scientists found meetings with Janice interesting and in some cases useful, and the lecture was generally considered inspiring and thought-provoking. The research period has resulted in an application for commissioning funding to produce artwork for display. Success gauged by interest shown from scientific, artistic and education communities in being involved. 1b. Children’s climate change show The Tyndall Centre has developed a 45-minute show about weather, climate and climate change for school children. The show incorporates exploding hydrogen balloons, fogs generated by liquid nitrogen, candles extinguished by carbon dioxide and other demonstrations to raise an awareness of climate change issues in an entertaining and attention-keeping manner. Audience participation is encouraged with hands-on activities during the show, while the serious nature of climate change is portrayed using video and PowerPoint presentations. The show premiered before an audience of 500 students at the University of East Anglia Christmas Lecture in December 2001, and is being repeated at venues including the Cheltenham Science Festival and the Royal Institution. Success gauged by feedback received from audience and parents after shows and requests for repeat performances. 1c. Tyndall display stand, posters and brochures An attractive fold-out display stand, complete with posters and a series of brochures has been produced detailing each of the Tyndall Centre’s Round 1 projects and providing an overview of the research themes. The brochures have been provided to lead investigators of each project, are handed out at conferences and workshops, and are being distributed to scientists, organisations and the general public on request. While this is a case of information transmission rather than engagement, it has encouraged interaction and focussed discussion. Success gauged from feedback and interest at conferences. Unsuccessful: 2. Local Science In collaboration with communication officers at the Norwich Research Park, two events were held during National Science Week to encourage people in small towns in Norfolk to discuss climate change in their local pub or cafe. The event aimed to reach those who would not usually attend a university lecture or event, engaging them on their own turf in relaxing surroundings. Local and regional media assisted in publicising the events beforehand, with the audience being further targeted with a mail drop to specific areas. Unfortunately, few people turned up on either of the evenings, with a total audience across both nights numbering no more than 30, with only a handful of the audience representing the target group. Although those in attendance enjoyed themselves and regional media reported the events, the failure to reach the target audience made this event unsuccessful. If regional events are attempted in future, we aim to get more local enthusiasts and interest groups on board beforehand.