Educating, entertaining and inspiring through public engagement with research
York Researchers' Night (YorNight) 2020 Impact Report
Showcasing the power of research
York Researchers’ Night (YorNight) 2020 offered a journey of discovery into the amazing world of research through fun activities for all ages, thought-provoking talks and a Science Cabaret.
Hosted by the University of York on Saturday 8 February 2020, the free event at York Barbican highlighted the diverse research being carried out in our city. Attended by over 4,000 people, YorNight provided 187 contributors – the majority researchers from the University of York – with a platform to demonstrate the incredible power of research to influence and transform our daily lives.
YorNight 2020 at a glance
4,275 audience
187 exhibitors, speakers and performers
14,171 web page views
Over 90,000 reach over two social media platforms, with 4,600 engagements
Over 250 attendees gave feedback on the day and 220 people responded to a survey circulated to ticket-holders. Of these:
92% would recommend the event to a friend
90% rated YorNight as excellent or good
87% spent more than one hour at the event
94% learned something new
“It was an inspiration. I learned new and interesting things and it was also fun.”
A University for Public Good
A member of the prestigious Russell Group, the University of York is a research-led institution which aims to be a leading contributor to public good in our city and region. Through public engagement with research, the University seeks to educate, entertain and inspire, and plays a major role in the educational, social and cultural development of York and Yorkshire.
Unlike other University programmes that engage school students and adult audiences, YorNight provides a family learning environment, offering a large and diverse range of hands-on activities and accessible talks.
Of the 4,275 people who attended YorNight 2020, 84% did so as part of a family group, with under 11-year-olds making up 42% of the audience. A further 10% were aged 11-18 and 45% were aged 19-59.
The main aims of YorNight were to:
- Educate, entertain and inspire
- Attract a wide and diverse public audience to engage with York research and researchers
- Demonstrate how the University of York is responding to society’s biggest challenges
- Break down barriers around the perception of research and researchers
- Raise aspirations, particularly in those least likely to engage with higher education
- Illustrate the diversity of research careers
“[YorNight] opened my eyes to how much they [researchers] do and how interesting it can be.”
Responding to society's greatest challenges
From tackling air and plastic pollution, to harnessing fusion power, to creating interactive experiences for people exploring historic places and heritage sites, YorNight provided University of York researchers with a platform to demonstrate the relevance and importance of their work.
Through interactive hands-on activities, games, puzzles and experiments, as well as short bite-sized 15-minute talks and a Science Cabaret, researchers from 16 academic departments presented their work in easily accessible ways, explaining how it is helping to tackle some of today’s most pressing issues.
“I was very impressed how most researchers had managed to turn their research into an interactive learning session, and how most of the stalls appealed to both children and adults.”
Bringing research to life
YorNight aims to break down barriers around the perception of research and researchers, and illustrate the diversity of research careers available.
Just over 60% of respondents said the event had changed their view of research and/or researchers. All reasons given were positive and included more varied (17%), more interesting (15%), and exciting / fun (10%). A further 15% commented positively on the researchers, who were described as friendly, engaging, encouraging, creative, approachable, inspiring, passionate, dedicated, enthusiastic, hard-working and cool.
Of the 39% who said their views had not changed, comments indicated that the respondents already had positive views on research and researchers.
When asked what they liked most about YorNight, the largest response (28%) was the variety on offer and the range of topics covered. A further 20% liked the hands-on nature of the event best, while 12% most appreciated the enthusiasm of the participating researchers.
Figure 1: Word cloud of responses regarding what attendees enjoyed or liked most about the event
Figure 1: Word cloud of responses regarding what attendees enjoyed or liked most about the event
Research at the University of York is focused around seven research themes which align our academic strengths to best meet the grand scientific, social and environmental challenges of our time. Explore our research themes.
“It made research more accessible and appropriate to our lives."
“The breadth and depth was eye opening.”
Raising aspirations
As a university for public good, one of the University of York’s key priorities is to open up pathways for under-represented groups into higher education and beyond into a thriving regional economy.
In addition to general marketing aimed at families, YorNight included a targeted marketing programme to attract those who would not normally engage with higher education. This included door-to-door leafleting in areas selected based on City Of York Council ward profiles, paid Facebook adverts to specific demographic groups (28% of attendees said they had heard about the event through social media), Minster FM advertising, and distribution of money-off vouchers for York Barbican café to selected local schools with a high percentage of free school meals.
Local Scout and Guide groups were encouraged to attend, with information posted online about how activities on offer linked to badges. On the day, a special Scouts and Guides passport was available with suggestions of things to do, as well as a YorNight badge.
YorNight was held close to the city centre rather than on campus to help break down any barriers to attendance.
- Based on feedback, children taking part in YorNight attend at least 84 local and regional schools
- Postcode data (from an online survey with 223 responses) indicated that 20% of attendees live in low participation neighbourhoods
“The event encourages children to learn something new and inspires them to keep learning. Many of the children said they wanted to be scientists when they grow up which was great to see. It was particularly excellent to see so many young girls inspired by science.”
Developing transferable skills
For participating researchers, YorNight offered an opportunity to engage with the public and present their research in new and exciting ways. Feedback after the event indicates the majority of participants learned something new, with many noting the two-way nature of engagement. Communication skills and increased confidence were most frequently cited.
While 41% of those participating in YorNight had a great deal of public engagement experience, 43% had very little and 16% none. Training was offered ahead of the event, with feedback showing the majority of those taking up this opportunity found it useful.
A survey of participating researchers showed that:
100% enjoyed the event
95% felt YorNight was valuable (the remaining 5% responded that it ‘may be’ valuable)
63% felt they had learned something from participating
74% intend to take part in a future YorNight event (a further 21% might take part)
80% intend to get involved with other public engagement events (a further 19% may get involved)
“You learn to convey your research in a different way than in an academic environment, and it’s really rewarding to listen and communicate with people that ask different kinds of questions.”
One Planet Living
As an institution with both local roots and global reach, and at the leading edge of research and knowledge, sustainability is a key element of the University of York’s responsibilities and values.
Travel and transport
Everyone attending YorNight 2020 was encouraged to arrive on foot, by bicycle or by public transport wherever this was possible.
Based on 757 responses (voting using tokens):
- 50% of attendees walked or cycled to the event
- 35% of attendees came by car
- 16% used public transport
Publicity materials and merchandise
All the paper used in YorNight marketing materials was fully recyclable, FSC accredited and from sustainable forests. Promotional materials included pencils made from approximately 30 per cent recycled denim and 70 per cent recycled polystyrene, and rulers made from very thin recycled polypropylene. Balloons were not provided.
Grab one of our #yornight pencils - made from recycled denim! pic.twitter.com/ZdCaOZUhA2
— University of York Events (@UoYEvents) February 8, 2020
Recycling
York Barbican’s partner Yorwaste collects bins from the venue, and sorts and recycles accordingly. Non-recyclable waste is processed and turned into energy as the venue aims not to send anything to landfill.
Attendees were encouraged to bring a refillable drinking bottle with them on the day and free drinking water was available.
Looking to the future
We are constantly striving to improve the quality of experience for both our audience and presenters. We received some excellent suggestions from both attendees and participating researchers and will incorporate many of these into future events.
The event was extremely successful but consequently very busy for attendees and participating researchers alike. Suggestions to improve this included:
- Staggered entry times for visitors to reduce crowding
- Extending the opening hours of the event
- Considering whether a larger venue is an option
- Pre-bookable tickets for some elements of the event
- Facilitating breaks for presenters with more refreshments available throughout
We want YorNight to be accessible to all and welcomed suggestions to support those with additional needs. These included:
- Dedicated quiet room for visitors
- Disability hour with easier access to stalls and a quieter environment
Activities were well-pitched for the target family audience. Suggestions to enhance this included:
- Different areas for for older and younger children (e.g. under and over 8s)
- Craft areas with lower tables and chairs
- Child-friendly talks, perhaps with cushions on the floor for small children
- Clear age recommendations on activities
- Adult only opening times to allow those without children to engage with activities
In addition, the current pandemic will have implications for future family engagement events which will need to be considered very carefully to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all.
We are constantly striving to improve the quality of experience for both our audience and presenters. We received some excellent suggestions from both attendees and participating researchers and will incorporate many of these into future events.
The event was extremely successful but consequently very busy for attendees and participating researchers alike. Suggestions to improve this included:
- Staggered entry times for visitors to reduce crowding
- Extending the opening hours of the event
- Considering whether a larger venue is an option
- Pre-bookable tickets for some elements of the event
- Facilitating breaks for presenters with more refreshments available throughout
Activities were well-pitched for the target family audience. Suggestions to enhance this included:
- Different areas for for older and younger children (e.g. under and over 8s)
- Craft areas with lower tables and chairs
- Child-friendly talks, perhaps with cushions on the floor for small children
- Clear age recommendations on activities
- Adult only opening times to allow those without children to engage with activities
We want YorNight to be accessible to all and welcomed suggestions to support those with additional needs. These included:
- Dedicated quiet room for visitors
- Disability hour with easier access to stalls and a quieter environment
In addition, the current pandemic will have implications for future family engagement events which will need to be considered very carefully to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all.
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To find out more about upcoming family-friendly events, please join our mailing list:
Find out more about YorNight 2020 in our more detailed YorNight 2020 Impact Report:
If you are a University of York researcher and would like to take part in future family-friendly events we would love to hear from you!
Katherine Leech
Events Officer, University of York
Email: yornight@york.ac.uk
Photography by Alex Holland/University of York
Videography by Joe Burn/University of York
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