Nutrition is part of every day life. The MRC has a commitment within it’s mission to promote dialogue with the public about medical research and to build an environment in which people are enthused about science and recognise its national and international contribution to health and wealth creation. HNR’s public engagement programme includes a series of projects that promote the understanding of the nature and discoveries of nutrition research and its implications for individuals and society.
The aim of the Public Engagement programme at HNR is to foster engagement between our scientists and people of all ages and from all walks of life to consider, question and debate the key issues of now and the future.
We see public engagement as a mechanic to:
- Build relationships;
- Understand public values;
- Create an awe and wonderment in nutrition science.
The programme includes:
- Enthusing young people about the creative process, issues, aspirations and outcomes of nutrition research;
- Informing the public about developments, achievements and impact of our research to build awareness of research and account for our investment;
- Enabling researchers to participate in effective engagement with the public, and to consider societal implications and public attitudes in the conduct and use of research.
The public engagement programme has 3 main workstreams to focus the Unit effort:
- To build relationships with teachers, careers guidance professionals and pupils in Cambridgeshire;
- To identify public engagement opportunities linked to government initiatives to support parents in encouraging healthy living;
- To engage with scientists at HNR to support their work and to disseminate their work to the public.