Public Engagement in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) is, within the European framework, a matter of inclusion of citizens and societal stakeholders in agenda setting, decision-making, policy-forming, and knowledge production processes at HEIs. According to the Horizon 2020 framework, Public Engagement “implies establishing participatory multi-actor dialogues and exchanges to foster mutual understanding, co-create research and innovation outcomes, and provide input to policy agendas”.
Our study relies on data collected as a document study of 122 European HEIs, of which four out of five HEIs included Public Engagement in their main strategic documents and policies. The study evaluates the Public Engagement policies and strategies within the HEIs. The documents were analysed with respect to the above understanding of what Public Engagement includes, while also remaining open to new elements.
The graph below shows how the HEIs work with Public Engagement; whether they have an approach based on establishing aims, on supporting work on Public Engagement, or if their approach is a combination of supporting work on Public Engagement while also having incentives to work with Public Engagement.
The analyses were conducted following three rungs of the “public engagement ladder” (PEL), with Public Communication as the first step, followed by Public Consultation and Advice, then Public Participation. General Public Engagement, placed at the bottom of the graph, is external to the PEL and was utilized when the HEIs mentioned a practical implementation within Public Engagement that either wasn’t encompassed by the other policy or sub-policy areas or when the sub-policy area within Public Engagement couldn’t be determined.
The analyses shows that ‘Public Communication’ stands out as the most commonly employed element of Public Engagement, with 18% of HEIs stating aims in this policy area. A total of 21% of HEIs provide support within Public Communication, while 29% offer both support and incentives. Public Communication broadly pertains to communication from HEIs to the public, as reflected in the goals, support, and incentives provided by HEIs. The practical implementations within Public Communication primarily involve expressed goals, hosting events, and having relevant infrastructure, followed by policy targets and the presence of a dedicated unit. While organized in various ways, the responsible unit is typically tasked with facilitating communication from the HEI to the public. These practical implementations align closely with the overall policy area of Public Communication, essentially serving as internal structures to support external communication.
Within Public Engagement, 25% of HEIs have a policy focus on ‘Public Consultation and Advice’, with the majority (20%) expressing goals in this sub-policy area. An additional 2% of HEIs provide support, and 3% offer both support and incentives. The aims expressed by HEIs often involve informing and contributing to public policy while emphasizing the HEIs impact on society and the environment.
Finally, 23% of HEIs have a policy focus on the sub-code of ‘Public Participation’. Public Participation primarily consists of expressed aims from HEIs, although it is also implemented through hosting events and having supportive infrastructure, all of which facilitate activities such as citizen science participation.
The analyses were conducted following three rungs of the “public engagement ladder” (PEL), with Public Communication as the first step, followed by Public Consultation and Advice, then Public Participation. General Public Engagement, placed at the bottom of the graph, is external to the PEL and was utilized when the HEIs mentioned a practical implementation within Public Engagement that either wasn’t encompassed by the other policy or sub-policy areas or when the sub-policy area within Public Engagement couldn’t be determined.
The analyses shows that ‘Public Communication’ stands out as the most commonly employed element of Public Engagement, with 18% of HEIs stating aims in this policy area. A total of 21% of HEIs provide support within Public Communication, while 29% offer both support and incentives. Public Communication broadly pertains to communication from HEIs to the public, as reflected in the goals, support, and incentives provided by HEIs. The practical implementations within Public Communication primarily involve expressed goals, hosting events, and having relevant infrastructure, followed by policy targets and the presence of a dedicated unit. While organized in various ways, the responsible unit is typically tasked with facilitating communication from the HEI to the public. These practical implementations align closely with the overall policy area of Public Communication, essentially serving as internal structures to support external communication.
Within Public Engagement, 25% of HEIs have a policy focus on ‘Public Consultation and Advice’, with the majority (20%) expressing goals in this sub-policy area. An additional 2% of HEIs provide support, and 3% offer both support and incentives. The aims expressed by HEIs often involve informing and contributing to public policy while emphasizing the HEIs impact on society and the environment.
Finally, 23% of HEIs have a policy focus on the sub-code of ‘Public Participation’. Public Participation primarily consists of expressed aims from HEIs, although it is also implemented through hosting events and having supportive infrastructure, all of which facilitate activities such as citizen science participation.