Engagement & Participation
This theme is all about how we can help people to engage and participate meaningfully.
Browse all resources under the theme of engagement and participation below, or filter via keyword:
Resources
✨ Consistency matters more than perfection
Showing up regularly matters far more than the perfect event, website or schedule. People remember reliability, building the community through real connections.
✨ Ask everyone for adjustments by default
Normalise adjustments early in processes so participation needs are expected, not exceptions.
💬 Accessible participation options
Offer different ways to contribute, such as written input or async feedback to prevent forcing people from speaking up in large groups.
🎨 Hybrid is a team sport
A hybrid collaboration won't magically work itself out. Think carefully about how everyone can join in, not just who happens to be in the room.
📚 Language matters
Always explain acronyms, maybe keeping a shared glossary. Then everyone can follow along without having to ask about being included.
📝 Personas and User Stories
Personas and user stories can help to ensure software meets users needs, but this can also be used to plan events or recruitment - create personas and situations for different needs or backgrounds, and check your plans against them!
✨ Hybrid is hard - but important!
Hybrid events can be more difficult or expensive. However, ror many it is a choice between "hybrid or not at all" due to caring responsibilities, disabilities, visas and all kinds of other reasons. Don’t lose those people!
🎨 Quiet spaces
Always include a clearly signposted area where attendees can take a break whenever they need.
📚 Using slide decks for semi structured group discussions
One person presents their slides but instead of rattling through the lot, stop after each slide and have a group discussion. Best with a smaller engaged audience.
Best Practice Guidance for Successful CAKE Placements & Visits
This guidance is intended to support both applicants and hosts in achieving successful placements and visits.
collaboration
engagement-and-participation
Guidance on Virtual Placements
Advice on how to make the most of a virtual placement - a great alternative if you are unable to commit to working from a different place for an extended amount of time.
collaboration
engagement-and-participation
inclusion
Youtube - KE Panel at the SSI Research Software Camp
A discussion around how to ensure that knowledge is shared and maintained
community-building
engagement-and-participation
events
outreach-and-advocacy
RCM Cooperative - Building Sustainable Research Communities
We work with and for communities to develop and refine their capacity for equitable, resilient and collaborative research.
community-building
engagement-and-participation
Resources for Community Champions Programs
A set of resources for running different Community Champions Programmes incl. participation models, tip sheets and experiences
community-building
engagement-and-participation
Effective Meetings Toolkit
Useful guidance on how to make a meeting worthwhile for attendees. From different roles, design ideas and agendas.
engagement-and-participation
events
EPSRC Guidance for Neuro-Inclusive Meetings and Events
UKRI guidance on designing meetings and events that are inclusive for neurodivergent participants.
events
community-building
engagement-and-participation
inclusion
Inclusion, diversity and accessibility @ PyCon2025
Good example of reasonable adjustments and services a conference can provide to improve inclusion, diversity and accessibility
events
community-building
engagement-and-participation
inclusion
outreach-and-advocacy
Move the Needle Project
A collaborative project tracking the efforts of people trying to transform the field of supercomputing.
outreach-and-advocacy
inclusion
engagement-and-participation
community-building
N8 CIR EDI Recruitment Checklist
A checklist to aid in inclusive recruitment from assessment of current status, recruitment text, advertising and interview.
outreach-and-advocacy
inclusion
engagement-and-participation
recruitment
So, you want to reach out? Lessons from a "science for all" programme
Blog article exploring how to design outreach programmes to be successful
outreach-and-advocacy
engagement-and-participation
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