Public Engagement Training Portfolio
Engaging with society is an increasingly important aspect of research, yet many researchers lack structured training in designing, implementing and evaluating effective Public Engagement activities. The Public Engagement Training Portfolio was developed to provide an evidence-based, practical programme that helps researchers across disciplines, career stages, and institutions integrate engagement meaningfully into their work. It addresses the challenge of bridging academic research with societal impact while fostering skills, confidence, and reflection in engagement practice.
The programme aims to build capacities and competencies in Public Engagement. It supports researchers to understand the principles of engagement, design high-quality interactions, evaluate impact, and apply creative formats. Additionally, it seeks to strengthen institutional engagement culture by working with partner institutions and fostering peer learning and community building.
Participants gain practical skills in dialogue, evaluation, and interactive engagement. They develop tailored engagement plans and explore optional deep-dive topics such as Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion, storytelling, or planning for impact. Alongside, the programme supports the creation of local support structures within partner institutions. The work is accompanied by ongoing evaluation and research, generating insights on effective engagement practices and methods for the wider sector.
The Portfolio runs online from October to June each year and comprises three thematic modules: Building Blocks, Evaluation Practice, and Creative Skills and Formats. These modules are delivered through a combination of workshops, case studies, group reflection, and peer learning. Optional masterclasses and deep-dives allow for individualised learning paths. Sessions are interactive, interdisciplinary, and designed to foster practical implementation alongside theoretical understanding.
Over the past 5 years, the programme has worked with 18 partner institutions, training 289 researchers from diverse disciplines and career stages, and delivering over of 2068 hours of professional development. Participants report increased confidence in engaging with society, improved practical skills, and greater competence in designing impactful engagement activities. Those completing a required number of sessions earn a certificate by submitting a reflection on their learning journey. Partner institutions benefit from access to strategic advice, community building, and additional Berlin School activities to support the embedding of Public Engagement into their research structures.
Cooperation partners
The Training Portfolio is delivered through partnerships with German academic institutions to foster local engagement communities and support structures. Partner institutions include universities, research clusters, Excellence Clusters, and research museums.
2025-2026 participating institutes:
Berlin Institute of Health / QUEST Center for Responsible Research, Deutsches Archäologisches Institut, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Hermann von Helmholtz-Zentrum für Kulturtechnik (Humboldt Universität zu Berlin), Inherit: heritage in transformation, Institut zur Qualitätsentwicklung im Bildungswesen, Max Born Institut, NeuroCure / Einstein Centre for Neurosciences Berlin, Universität Greifswald, Zukunft finder Stadt
Past partners:
Berlin University Alliance, Constructor University Bremen, DIPF - Leibniz-Institut für Bildungsforschung und Bildungsinformation, Einstein Centre for Early Disease Interception, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Senckenberg Ocean Species Alliance, UniSysCat