Partnerships

Relevance to life experience, personalisation and localisation are key elements of STEM engagement. In this section we explore how working in partnership ensures your activity suits the needs of the participant and avoids a ‘parachuting in’ approach where communities are talked ‘at’ by STEM engagement professionals.

Why work in partnership?

Equitable partnerships are fundamental to good, community-based informal science learning and engagement.

Finding the right partners

Strong partnerships with community organisations enable the co-production of programmes which work with and for our diverse communities.

Allow enough time

Partnership building requires an investment of time for both sides that should not be taken lightly, and it should have an organisation-level commitment.

Challenge power dynamics

Challenge power dynamics It is easy to underestimate, or not be aware of, the implicit power that comes from being an ‘institution’, both as a venue/space, a nationally known organisation…

Levels of co-production

Partnerships can reach all levels and departments within organisations and with wider stakeholders. It is important to agree with your partner what level of participation is suitable for your activity.…

"Working in partnership we can all work towards transforming the field in ways that support science centres and science museums to become meaningfully inclusive, welcoming and relevant to everyone."
Emily Dawson, Associate Professor, Department of Science and Technology Studies (STS), UCL