Public engagement with research

Our academics generate knowledge and achieve impact in close collaboration with numerous organisations, institutions and individuals, regionally, nationally and internationally. The University subscribes to the National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement's Manifesto for Public Engagement and we are part of the Civic University Network, a group of universities committed to producing a Civic University Agreement in partnership with local government and other major institutions in their area.

We are busy gearing up for COP26, the crucial climate change conference in November. Led by the dynamic Centre for Climate Change Action and Education, we have joined the COP26 Universities Network and are preparing an exciting programme of events.

Mostly free and always fascinating, we offer a wide range of public engagement events throughout the year, highlighting both our values as an institution and our research expertise. We host high-profile national events such as the annual Peacejam UK.

We have a wealth of knowledge about the local and regional history, and our academics feature prominently in local annual festivals such as the BBC History Weekend. Since 2020, our annual participation in the Winchester Heritage Open Days is extra special as it is led and coordinated by students on the MA Cultural Heritage and Resource Management (CHaRM) as part of their course.

Take part in our research

We currently run a number of research projects warmly welcoming external participation.

Covid19-related projects

• Are you, or have you been, a volunteer in the Covid-19 efforts? Whether you're a volunteer driver or a specialist volunteer, our researchers would love to hear from you. To find out more and get in touch, visit the Volunteering Research Hub website.
• Help us capture the pandemic for posterity. Future generations will want to know how we spent our days; what was it like to live through a global pandemic from day to day? The University of Winchester is inviting members of the public to keep a diary and document their experiences of living during this unsettling time, to create an archive. Find out more about the Covid Diaries and how to take part.
• Have you been homeschooling during the Pandemic? Find out about the Homeschooling during Lockdown project and how to take part.

General Health and Wellbeing-related projects

• Are you an Allied Health Professions student? Take part in our AHPs Career Choices survey.
• Do you live and/or work in Dorset or Hampshire and are you interested in the power of nature to create happier and healthier human beings? Then why not take part in Significant Sanctuaries, an interdisciplinary study looking at whether connecting people with natural environments can improve their mental health and wellbeing. The team is particularly keen to hear from employers and workers in the study area. Find out more and take part in Significant Sanctuaries.

Business, Law and Digital Technologies projects

• Has your child been in broadcast media? Do you post about your children on social media? Find out about our research into media and children's privacy, and get involved.
• Are you a CIMA-qualified management accountant prepared to be interviewed about your current role and your career in management accounting? Then our researchers in the Winchester Business School are keen to hear from you. Find out about the project 'The changing role of the management accountant'

See our research

Hands-on exhibitions

We currently have two hands-on science communication displays created by former staff and students at the Winchester Science Centre's new permanent exhibit on sound, hearing and vibration, (due to reopen in May 2021).

Online exhibitions

Explore our virtual visual showcase of Research and Public Engagement

Find out more and engage with us

For further information or general enquiries, contact the Research & Engagement Officer. Email us if you would like to be added to our mailing list for public events.

• Browse our public events calendar
• Explore our research and knowledge exchange
• Discover our Public Engagement videos: Inaugural Lectures, other talks and lectures

Background image:

On Saturday 10 November 2018 the University commemorated the 115 fallen World War I soldiers who are buried in Winchester's historic West Hill Cemetery. A ceremony took place at the Cross of Sacrifice attended by University, local council, church and military representatives. Afterwards the names of all the 115 men were displayed at the University, which also hosted a programme of talks and an exhibition on the cemetery. 

Explore the West Hill Cemetery photo gallery

Find out more about West Hill Cemetery and our investigations of this historic site