Public & Community Engagement Conference 2026: Making bigger differences – Call for contributors
We’re looking for contributors to deliver exciting and engaging sessions on all things public and community engagement with research.
About the conference
Date: Thursday 11 June 2026
Location: Life and Mind Building, Oxford, OX1 3EL (Life and Mind Building access guide)
Public and community engagement is vital in making bigger differences — strengthening research, building trust and delivering meaningful benefits for society.
This one-day conference will explore how responsible and purposeful engagement can make bigger differences in society locally, nationally and globally. Bringing together University academic and professional staff, researchers and members of the local community, the conference will provide a space to explore Oxford’s engagement landscape, share knowledge and build meaningful connections. Attendees can hope to learn from inspiring examples of practice, gain insight into opportunities and support for engagement at Oxford, connect with others and leave with greater confidence, understanding and readiness to engage in ways that make a bigger difference locally and beyond.
We'll explore engagement through the lens of making bigger differences, with a focus on three interconnected themes:
- Building Responsible, Trust-Centred Engagement and Knowledge Exchange
- Strengthening Connections, Collaboration and Infrastructure for Impact
- Engaging for Shared Learning, Inclusion and Local Impact
Conference audiences
This conference is open to University members and the public and aimed at anyone working in or interested in engaging with Oxford’s research. This might be:
- Oxford University academic and non-academic staff and researchers
- Colleagues from other universities interested in Oxford University’s engagement work
- Local and national community members interested in learning more about or getting involved in engaging with Oxford University’s research
Call for contributions
We’re asking for contributors to help build a diverse and exciting programme of sessions for the conference.
We’re looking for engaging sessions that provide an opportunity for sharing ideas and learning in line with our conference themes.
Session guidance
- Each session is expected to last around 50 minutes.
- Sessions should align with one of the conferences themes, outlined above
- We encourage creative, interactive and engaging formats for sessions
- All sessions should be designed with inclusivity and accessibility in mind.
- Every session must include at least one University of Oxford member or researcher in the delivery team and we strongly encourage collaboration on sessions with external partners.
Read the full guidance for contributor proposals at the PCER Conference 2026.
For those unable to commit to delivering a session, we’re also asking for contributors for posters, flyers and materials featuring engagement opportunities to be displayed in communal areas at the conference.
Use the PCER Conference Call for contributors form to find out more and submit your session or poster proposal by Friday 13 March 2026. An offline version of the form is available for planning and collaborating on submissions, but all final submissions should be entered into the online form.
Questions?
Contact [email protected]