Engagement
What do you need to know about developmental biology and regenerative medicine and how can we help?
At the Institute of Developmental & Regenerative Medicine we believe it is vital that we reach out to you, the public, as our principal stakeholders. It is important that everyone has access to our world-leading research in applying developmental biology to regenerative medicine and we are grateful for public support and continuous input into the work we are undertaking.
Explore some of our public engagement projects and activities below:
Festivals
Our Research Groups have taken part in and hosted stalls and presentations at a number of festivals and science fairs. Some of the festivals visited include: IF Oxford Science and Ideas Festival, Science in the Park, Oxford Open Doors, Oxford Digital Festival, etc.
Fundraising
IDRM members support charitable causes and often take part in campaigns such as the MDUK Town and Gown 10K race, the BHF London to Brighton Bike Ride, the BHF London Marathon, and more. The IDRM also hosted the official launch event for the ‘Heart of Oxford’ Business Board in support of the British Heart Foundation.
School Visits
Researchers from IDRM's Stone, Mommersteeg, and Srinivas groups have participated in teacher-residential initiatives which aim to bolster teacher awareness and understanding of how and why research is conducted at a major research institution.
Additionally, the IDRM regularly hosts secondary school student groups for hands-on activities in its laboratories and has an active work experience placement scheme for 6th-form students.
VR and AR projects
Several research groups within the IDRM have developed VR and AR games or activities with the aim of raising awareness about and connecting the public with IDRM research.
Shaping Destiny is a collaborative public engagement project developed by the Srinivas research group in collaboration with TORCH, the charity Parasol Project, the dance group Body Politic, and other external partners.
Muscle Switch is a video game activity where a user grips a handheld dynamometer, and by doing so, their strength powers an astronaut in space. Users can expect to gain an important understanding of muscle damage and repair and consider whole-body wellbeing alongside what is considered ‘normal strength’.
Public Lectures
Many IDRM researchers participate in public lecture initiatives such as Pint of Science UK, a series of talks that encourage open and transparent conversations between the research community and the wider public.
IDRM researchers take active roles in the Oxford chapter of the organisation, leading talks on the topics of 'Beautiful Mind' (neuroscience, psychology and psychiatry) and 'Our Body' (medicine, human biology, health)
Promoting Equality in STEM
As part of our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, the IDRM actively seeks to widen access to science and research careers for young people from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds.
Several IDRM groups, such as the Mommersteeg, Stone, De Val, and Riley groups, have participated in the In2ScienceUK programme, which empowers young people through life-changing opportunities in STEM.
In the Media
Researchers from our three themes, cardiology, neurology and immunology, make regular appearances in podcast episodes, on TV, articles, and other digital media channels. You can listen to a podcast featuring Professor Shankar Srinivas on 'Made The Same Way'.
