Nights at the museum: integrated arts and microbiology public engagement events enhance understanding of science whilst increasing community diversity and inclusion

Abstract

This study uses integrated art and science events to explore a blended approach in improving public understanding of current scientific topics and widening participation within the local community. The events were a Halloween-inspired microbiology-themed series of interactive exhibitions hosted within a national museum as part of an existing series of adult education evenings. A representative sample of 102 mixed methods exit questionnaires, based on determining (i) audience diversity and (ii) understanding of scientific topics, were analysed by qualitative and quantitative approaches, and a post-attendance focus group was carried out to determine longer term impact of the event. Participants were grouped as 'Science', 'Arts', 'Both' or 'Neither', according to their past experience and engagement. These events welcomed more participants from the Arts and Neither subsections hence engaging a group of people who would not usually visit science public engagement events or comparative events hosted in traditional academic settings, highlighting the importance of venue choice in reaching new audiences and widening participation. An increase in perceived understanding of science was observed by all groups of participants with reported enjoyment focused around the science talks, presentations and blended art-science activities. A putative impact in science capital is observed with participants reporting an increased likelihood of attending science events in the future. Furthermore, increased discussion and awareness of science in society is evidenced by participants. Blended art and microbiology exhibitions enhance the accessibly of science public engagement events and is likely to increase science capital; the impact of this on cognitive polyphasia is also discussed.

Family-focused campus-based university event increases perceived knowledge, science capital and aspirations across a wide demographic

“…As an indication of existing science capital (science-related behaviours and practices), adult participants were categorised as either 'science' (attended a science-based attraction e.g. a science festival, science museum, planetarium or having worked in the science industry) or 'non-science' (no science-based attractions/activities selected) attendees (Duckett et al, 2021). Participants were also given a POLAR4 classification based on partial post codes provided.…”

“…Studies suggest that designed spaces can be viewed as elitist by minoritised groups creating barriers to accessibility (Dawson, 2014;DeWitt & Archer, 2017). Where new audiences are reached, the visitors are not fully representative of the local community, with under-representation of ethnic minority groups observed (Duckett et al, 2021).…”

“…Much of the published literature discussing event delivery focuses on taking science to the community (Dallas, 2006;Duckett et al, 2021;Leao & Castro, 2012;Navid & Einsiedel, 2012;Paul & Motskin, 2016), with very little analysing public engagement hosted in a university setting, therefore, leaving a gap in reported impact. Whilst the authors of this paper are active participants in community venue science events, here we evaluate the impact of our university campus-based family public engagement event Explore!…”

“…Event feedback was collected over two consecutive years by a mixed-methods questionnaire. This questionnaire was based on that used in previous Sheffield Hallam University public engagement events (Duckett et al, 2021) to allow the organisers to utilise an existing, validated tool, with the possibility to draw more meaningful conclusions (Boynton & Greenhalgh, 2004). Modification of the questionnaire between events was undertaken to allow for more focused feedback collection.…”

“…The key to knowledge translation is argued by some to be informality and accessibility (Bauer, 2009;Holliman et al, 2009;Navid & Einsiedel, 2012). With the public reported to have a high interest in science (Carter, 2017;Motta, 2019;Wellcome UK Monitor, 2018), but low levels of accessibility (Aitken et al, 2016;Miller, 2001) there is a clear narrative to undertake events in public spaces, such as cultural/art museums (Duckett et al, 2021), music festivals (Leao & Castro, 2012), theatres, cafes and pubs (Dallas, 2006;Paul & Motskin, 2016). Minoritised groups may feel that more formal settings, such as a university campus, are far removed from the communities and culture that they live in.…”