About ScotPEN

The Scottish Public Engagement Network (ScotPEN) empowers researchers and communities across Scotland to engage in meaningful, inclusive, and impactful public engagement with research. By connecting, supporting, and amplifying public engagement efforts, ScotPEN fosters a collaborative network that promotes accessible public engagement, patient involvement, science communication and strengthens public understanding and trust in research.

Who are we?

ScotPEN’s membership is made up of individuals working in a broad range of sectors: universities and research centres, cultural and heritage organisations, public bodies, science centres and freelance. Many of our members work in roles that support public access to and involvement in academic research. Others have a focus on developing or delivering public-facing events and programmes.

What do we do?

The network came together in 2017 with the principal aim of providing peer support. By sharing expertise, good practice and challenges, we can facilitate collaborative opportunities, raise the profile of public engagement and act as a central point of contact for funders. We also share and promote Scottish projects and their outcomes.

How do we do it?

Our wide geographic spread means online communication is really useful. The ScotPEN Facebook group and JISC list and LinkedIn are our regular means of sharing information and keeping in touch. We also have an active Bluesky page where we circulate opportunities and best practice. We use these to hold online meet-ups, canvass opinion and share learning from events of interest to our membership.
We hold an Annual Gathering for public engagement professionals working in higher education and research. Wherever possible, we open up our own organisations’ events to the network.