The Department of Physics is dedicated to applying the transformative power of physics to engage the widest possible audience. This commitment is realised through four coordinated programmes, which currently engage over 60,000 individuals annually.
The first two programmes, physics access and widening participation, focus on inspiring school-age children to continue studying physics, with an emphasis on increasing diversity.
The community engagement programme ensures the department contributes to the local community. Together these efforts aim to break down barriers and foster social inclusion.
The fourth programme, public engagement with research (PER), supports researchers, equipping them with the skills, confidence, and resources to deliver high-quality public engagement activities. A summary of each programme is provided below.
Physics access: Increasing access to study physics at Oxford
Commitment: To make studying physics at Oxford accessible to all students with high academic potential.
Target audience: GCSE and A-level physics students, targeting those from underrepresented backgrounds.
Objectives:
- Raise awareness of the undergraduate physics courses at Oxford and their associated application processes and requirements.
- Increase interest and confidence in applying.
- Enhance problem-solving skills which are essential for making competitive application.
- Increase representation of applicants from underrepresented backgrounds.
- Foster a sense of belonging in physics.
Strategies:
- Align activities with the University of Oxford's Access and Participation Plan.
- Prioritise an online programme to achieve national reach, complemented by targeted events for students from the most underrepresented backgrounds.
- Facilitate support for the programme via the Undergraduate Physics Ambassador scheme.
- Provide tailored information for teachers, parents, carers, and other supporters of prospective students.
- Use data-driven approaches to identify and engage effectively with the most underrepresented groups.
Key projects / partners:
- Taster days and masterclasses
- UNIQ Summer School
- Preparing for the PAT
- Year 12 Physics Summer School
- British Physics Olympiad
- COMPOS
- EMPower Oxford
Widening participation (WP): Widening participation in physics-related study
Commitment: To widen participation in physics-related courses within further education.
Target audience: Local children, targeting those aged 9-15 years from underrepresented backgrounds.
Objectives:
- Stimulate interest and enjoyment in physics.
- Foster a sense of belonging in physics.
- To enhance understanding of core physics topics and the breadth of the subject, especially as they relate to the research conducted within our department.
- Raise aspirations to study physics-related courses.
Strategies:
- Apply a science capital approach to show the relevance of physics to students’ lives, society, and futures.
- Implement selection criteria to prioritise children from underrepresented backgrounds.
- Partner with schools and community organisations serving socioeconomically and educationally disadvantaged areas of Oxford.
- Deliver targeted initiatives for families.
- Provide multiple interventions to enable sustained engagement.
- Enhance the school curriculum by incorporating links to our research.
- Provide opportunities for postgraduate students to support the programme.
Key projects / partners:
- CREST awards
- Marie Curious
- Impact Days
- My Place; My Science with African Families in the UK
- Connect Physics Programme
Community engagement: Engaging communities with physics research
Commitment: To contribute to enhancing the life of the region
Target audience: The local community, with a focus on both special-interest groups and marginalised groups facing barriers to engagement.
Objectives:
- Stimulate interest and enjoyment in physics.
- Increase diversity in public engagement with the department.
- Foster ongoing discussion about research and physics within the community.
- Support the specific objectives of community organisations.
Strategies:
- Host events that welcome the public, prioritising access for community groups and removing barriers to participations.
- Partner with local organisations to support their work to empower and include marginalised groups within Oxford society.
- Provide support and resource for researchers engaging with community groups.
Key projects / partners:
- Homeless Oxfordshire
- Astronomy societies
- Cherwell Larder
Public Engagement with Research (PER): Facilitating high-quality public engagement with research
Commitment: To create an embedded culture of high quality PER with diverse publics.
Target audience: Oxford Physics researchers (students and staff), with a focus on early career researchers.
Objectives:
- Raise awareness of the value and importance of PER.
- Increase the number of researchers who undergo PER.
- Develop confidence and skills in developing, delivering and evaluating PER.
- Enhance the quality and impact of PER in the department.
Strategies:
- Align with MPLS Division's Strategic Plan for Public Engagement with Research.
- Provide expertise and tailored support for researchers undertaking PER.
- Facilitate PER opportunities that engage and collaborate with the public, including those that allow school students to explore and participate in physics research.
- Build capacity for PER through:
- Networks, events and platforms to engage researchers.
- Complementary training and support to enhance University offerings.
- Integration of PER into RCUK Pathways to Impact and other funding applications.
- Strategic discussions at sub-department and research group levels.
- Support for high-quality case studies for REF and other assessments.
- Recognition and celebration of PER achievements within the Department.
Key projects / partners:
- Training pathways
- Grad course in PER
- Online resources
- Outreach Project Fund
- Events/programmes that showcase Oxford Physics research e.g. Physics: Lab to Life
Further details
Contact: Email engage@physics.ox.ac.uk to find out more about the access and engagement work we do in the Department of Physics, University of Oxford
Staffing: The access and engagement programmes are managed by Sian Tedaldi (Outreach Programmes Manager), overseen by the physics access and engagement committee. Kathryn O'Brien Skerry (Physics Access Officer) leads the Physics access programme and Lena Shams (Outreach Project Officer) coordinates projects across the framework, including our work with families, primary schools and the British Physics Olympiad.