Dr Karen Bultitude oversees a wide project portfolio related to methods of engaging public audiences through 'live' interventions. Recent and current research relates to an international review of science festivals; gender-aware teaching in the physical sciences; a comparison of national strategies for science communication; and researcher motivations for becoming involved in public engagement activities. Karen is one of nine national Public Engagement mentors for the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) in the UK and in 2008 was awarded the prestigious Joshua Phillips Memorial Prize for Innovation in Science Engagement. Dr Ana Margarida Sardo conducted this work whilst a Research Fellow in the Science Communication Unit at the University of the West of England, Bristol. Her research interests include science contributions to environmental policymaking, good practices in communication science and key communication skills in recent graduates. Leisure and pleasure: science events in unusual locations IJSE: B 2 Building on concepts relating to informal science education, this work compares science-related activities which successfully engaged public audiences at three different 'generic' locations: a garden festival, a public park, and a music festival. The purpose was to identify what factors contribute to the perceived success of science communication activities occurring within leisure spaces. This paper reports the results of 71 short (2-3 minute) structured interviews with public participants at the events, and 18 structured observations sessions, demonstrating that the events were considered both novel and interesting by the participants. Audience members were found to perceive both educational and affective purposes from the events. Three key elements were identified as contributing to the success of the activities across the three 'generic venues': the informality of the surroundings, the involvement of 'real' scientists, and the opportunity to re-engage participants with scientific concepts outside formal education.

A widespread culture supporting public engagement activities in higher education is desirable but difficult to establish. Drawing on social cognitive theory, this science communication project aimed to enhance culture change in engineering by developing communication skillsets of early-career engineers, particularly supporting female engineers as role models. Engineers received training in storytelling to present at live events, enhanced by peer group social persuasion and vicarious modeling. A science communication coordinator and senior management endorsement removed barriers to participation. Evaluation showed engineers’ self-efficacy levels significantly increased. Qualitative data highlighted a developing culture of engagement but purposive selection of women proved controversial.

Around the world, increasing numbers of people are attending informal science events, often ones that are part of multi-event festivals that cross cultural boundaries. For the researchers who take part, and the organizers, evaluating the events' success, value, and effectiveness is hugely important. However, the use of traditional evaluation methods such as paper surveys and formal structured interviews poses problems in informal, dynamic contexts. In this article, we draw on our experience of evaluating events that literally took place in a field, and discuss evaluation methods we have found to be simple yet useful in such situations.

Contaminants, such as pesticides, can cause direct toxic effects when released into aquatic environments. Suitably sensitive species can help us understand and predict the impacts of such pollutants. Automated sediment toxicity testing and biomonitoring has grown rapidly, and biomonitoring instruments have proven appropriate for studying the effects of pollutants. A new approach in online biomonitoring, using the multispecies freshwater biomonitor was developed in the present study, using whole-sediment toxicity tests and behavioural responses of the freshwater oligochaete Lumbriculus variegatus. Endpoints, such as mortality and growth, were used to study the effects of the pesticide imidacloprid and to achieve a gradient of responses; exposures to contaminated sediments were performed over 10 days' duration (short-term tests). High mortality was observed in the three highest concentrations of imidacloprid, and inhibition of behaviour was monitored along a gradient of pesticide concentration. Exposure to imidacloprid-contaminated sediments affected growth, behaviour, and avoidance in L. variegatus.

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