OpenLearn Profile

Ann Grand

Ann Grand

The Open University

Professional biography
From 2020-23, I was a member of the AstrobiologyOU group at the Open University. The core of my role was to build, implement and evaluate development, teaching and training resources for both formal and informal education and opportunities that integrated the research of AstrobiologyOU. I completed my PhD in 2012 at the University of the West of England, Bristol (UWE). My research was in Open Science and Public Engagement. After that, I did post-doctoral research at UWE, where I worked alongside and supported researchers in the life and health sciences to embed public engagement in their work, and at the Open University as a member of the Catalyst for Public Engagement with Research project, focussing on how researchers use digital media and tools for planning, enacting and evaluating public engagement with research, and supporting the University's development of its concept and practice of engaged research. I then spent a few years as a Lecturer in Science Communication at the University of Western Australia. My research interests cover: -- public engagement with research in informal settings such as festivals -- open research, which presents challenges in skills development and opportunities in expertise-sharing to both researchers and publics -- researchers’ use of digital media and tools for planning, enacting and evaluating public engagement with research, including evaluating its social, economic and environmental impact -- transdisciplinary engaged research, the development of collaborative and co-creative practices that bring together researchers and publics over any or all stages of a research process. My teaching interests focus on engaged research, engagement through digital and traditional media, writing for different audiences and embedding engagement in scientists' practice. Outside academic life, I’ve been a volunteer in the international Café Scientifique movement since 2003, when I started the cafe scientifique in Bristol. Café scientifique offers the chance for members of the public and working scientists to meet in informal, non-academic venues to have a conversation about the latest research and issues in science and technology.

Ann Grand's activities

Browse 17 OpenLearn items Ann Grand has worked on