Public Engagement Facilitator - Oxford, United Kingdom - University of Oxford

University of Oxford

Verified Company

Oxford, United Kingdom

2 weeks ago

Posted by:

Tom O´Connor

beBee Recruiter

Description

Paul Klenerman and Zakiya Leeming are looking for an Oxford-based PE professional to support their public engagement 'Thanks for the Memories'.

The role would involve:

Identifying Oxfordbased schools with low HE uptake, connecting with them, and managing workshops with them
Supporting the development of engagement materials, to use in schools in Oxford and Manchester
Exploring local community engagement possibilities (with room to run activities if time allows)

'Thanks for the Memories' is a musical excursion through interactions between viruses, vaccines and immunity, culminating in an opera informed by engagements with KS3 students. The story will explore the history of vaccine development from its precursors in Ancient China, Africa and the Middle East through to modern vaccine technologies. Focusing on the role of memory, the KS3 students will create their own musical responses to the science and history of vaccines and develop an awareness of contemporary challenges in vaccine study. This project aims to provide a space to explore controversies and preconceptions in an inclusive and enjoyable way through song and storytelling. Contextualized through characters living through pandemics past, this project aims to give voice to a range of experiences whilst promoting awareness of both current research and past histories of this global story of viruses, vaccines, and memory. It is funded by Wellcome via the University's Enriching Engagement scheme.

You will have a background in creative work. You will be a strong team player with the credibility to help build collaborative partnerships with theatres and researchers.

You will also have excellent written communications skills, strong numeracy and negotiation skills, experience in managing varied interpersonal professional relationships with tact and discretion, and a proven ability to deliver successful events.

Experience working with schools (and school pupils) in Oxford and creating engaging content for schools is highly desirable.

You will be expected to work with a large degree of autonomy using your initiative to identify schools, develop and deliver workshops that probe the theme and provide ideas to support the opera.

Some travel to Manchester might be required, but it will not be extensive. A background in science would be useful, but not essential; an interest in music would also be useful.

The post is part-time (7.3 hours per week/0.2 FTE) and fixed-term (24 months/2 years).