Advanced materials and bioengineering research and innovation lie at the heart of solving many of the challenges facing 21st century society – from climate change to personalised medicine.

Our ambition is to:

• Inspire publics to engage with AMBER research and its impacts
• Facilitate engagement between AMBER researchers and the public to encourage authentic involvement in materials science and bioengineering
• Empower our audience to input into the direction of future innovations resulting from materials science research

We believe that our audiences and researchers hold valuable perspectives, expertise & knowledge that can contribute to dialogue about materials science innovation and applications within society.

Our approach provides audiences different kinds of opportunities to engage with AMBER in a manner that is most appropriate to them from communications, events and workshops, to our education and engaged research programmes.

EPE stands for Education and Public Engagement. Research Ireland funds research and public engagement, the outcomes of this research and public engagement promote and assist in the development and competitiveness of industry, enterprise and employment in Ireland, delivering tangible impact for society.

EPE is a core objective of Research Ireland large-scale research awards, with Research Ireland committed to further developing programmes to support engagement with, and participation of, a broader range of civil society and community groups across research awards. This commitment is strongly supported by the public, with research showing that 84% of the population hold the view that “scientists have a professional responsibility to talk about research findings with the public”.

Research Ireland also aims to build people’s confidence and aspirations to pursue skills development and career choices in the STEM fields. This is to ensure that, as a nation, we will be well-placed to respond to future opportunities or challenges. Consequently, Research Ireland expects its award holders to stimulate public understanding, interest and involvement in research and STEM, through relevant, inclusive and accessible activities. Ultimately, this will lead to the creation of a diverse scientific, research and innovation ecosystem which is welcoming to all and which places emphasis on active engagement and co-creation with the Irish public.

In summary, Research Ireland supports large-scale award holders such as Research Centre’s like AMBER to carry out EPE activities which aim to:

• Work with stakeholders, beneficiaries and end-users in the co-creation of research activities with outcomes that are meaningful, relevant and implementable. This process helps to add value to the research, ensures that the outcomes are for the public good and builds trust between researchers and stakeholders
• Address STEM talent pipeline deficiencies through inspiration and skills development
• Raise awareness and heighten the public(s)’ engagement with STEM, STEM research and other related areas of research
• Conduct engaged research by working with members of the public, for example, through dissemination of findings, consultation or participation in research activities (e.g., citizen science)
• Promote a culture and practice of evidence-based policy formation
• Engage with diverse, underrepresented, and underserved communities