Resource Centre: Academic Research

TISME publications, including the 'What influence participation in science and mathematics?' report

TISME - the Targeted Initiative on Science and Maths Education - was a programme of five research projects, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council in partnership with the Institute of Physics, the Gatsby Foundation and the Association for Science Education. The overall aim of TISME was to uncover new ways to encourage greater participation, engagement, achievement and understanding of science and mathematics among young people.

Data from Interests and Recruitment in Science (IRIS)

Data from a 2010 questionnaire given to first-year university students asking how important science centres and museums were for their decision to study for a STEM degree. IRIS is a collaborative research project, supported by the European Commission (7th Framework programme) and involving six partner institutions in five European countries. The project period ran from 2009-2012, but results from the project are still being disseminated.

"Not for people like me?" Under-represented groups in science, technology and engineering

In a report for WISE (the campaign for gender balance in science, technology and engineering), sponsored by Network Rail, Professor Averil Macdonald explains why STEM outreach and engagement activities have a limited impact on girls and other young people who are under-represented in the STEM workforce. The report recommends a fresh approach - focusing on the types of people who succeed in science, technology and engineering - using adjectives to describe their personalities and aptitudes, rather than the jobs themselves.

The Research Councils Concordat for Engaging the Public with Research: An introduction and overview

This Concordat, from The National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement and the Beacons, lays out clear expectations for research organisations with regards to public engagement, and also provides some specific prompts for managers and supporters of researchers and for individual researchers.