The Department of Surgery and Cancer works hard on outreach and public engagement by inspiring curiosity about science, connecting with society and providing opportunities for conversations, discussion and engagement between researchers and the public. We design projects, activities and events blending new and creative ways of engaging with diverse audiences.

Outreach and public engagement describe the variety of ways in which the activity and benefits of higher education and research can be shared with the public. This section looks at some of Surgery and Cancer’s recent outreach and public engagement projects.

We are keen to hear about outreach activities you have led or have been involved in and would want to feature them on this page! Please complete this short form with information about your outreach work.

Case studies

Virtual Work Experience Week

The Virtual Work Experience Week is a widening participation programme led by S&C's Professor Elizabeth Dick and Mr Raymond Anakwe. The initiative aims to improve opportunities in medicine for non-selective state students from underrepresented backgrounds.

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SHARP project

The SHARP (Simulation-Based Holistic Approach for Reducing and Preventing Knife Violence) project is a school outreach programme working in partnership with young people to increase understanding of the impact of knife violence on individuals and communities.

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Bone UP Podcast

The UK's first podcast about all matters of bone health. Each episode includes interviews and discussions on bone health, bone disease, and how we and our bones can live longer, happier, and healthier lives.

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School Science Week

As part of Science Week at Holy Family Catholic Primary School in July 2021, Dr Ana Costa-Pereira visited 120 Year 3 and Year 4 pupils (7-9 year-olds) to teach them about DNA.

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Screenshot of DreamLab app

DreamLab

Dr Kirill Veselkov and his team worked with Vodafone Foundation to develop DreamLab. The free app harnesses the computing power of smartphones to process the enormous calculations of a cancer genome research project while their owner’s sleep.

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Hearing Birdsong

Hearing Birdsong, an immersive installation that blends art, science and technology to encourage early detection of hearing loss and increase access to care.

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Short examples

A man and two women sitting in a lecture theatre and having a discussion

Julia Anderson Training Programme

The Julia Anderson Training Programme, spearheaded by IGHI, provides early career professionals with limited experience with useful and applicable workplace skills and knowledge that will kick-start their career path.

The trainees gain hands-on work experience supporting the delivery of an existing project or activity at IGHI across a diverse range of areas, from health policy to data analytics.

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London Live TV interview - Dr Claire Fletcher

Dr Claire Fletcher was interviewed for London Live news on the team's research investigating how fat tissue around the prostate can fuel prostate cancer progression.

The team hope that their research will uncover features of aggressive prostate cancers, which could also act as potential targets for new treatments. In the long term, this could enable drugs developed for other diseases to be repurposed and used to treat prostate cancer.

Watch the interview

A hand pulling a fresh beet out of the ground

The HUNGer Project - IGHI

The Centre of African Research and Engagement within IGHI has developed the HUNGer consortium.

Through the HUNGer project, they aim to establish a team of internationally leading researchers to develop a programme of work to directly address the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.

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Screenshot a new tomorrow group on zoom

A New Tomorrow

The Institute of Global Health Innovation in collaboration with Newcastle University ran a series of online events during the pandemic with young people about the impact of COVID-19 on young people's mental health, well-being and experience of education.

This initiative was co-produced with young people from across the UK, different age groups and backgrounds.

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Neuroendocrine Cancer UK - Professor Andrea Frilling

Professor Andrea Frilling took part in the Neuroendocrine Cancer UK Virtual Summit in November 2020. She presented on Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT), explaining to patients how it works and where it fits in the neuroendocrine cancer pathway today and in the future.

Professor Frilling also sits on Neuroendocrine Cancer UK Multidisciplinary Expert Advisory Board, providing advice to the charity on how best to support and inform those affected by Neuroendocrine Cancer.

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LOCOMOTION PROJECT - Professor Brendan Delaney

Prof Brendan Delaney has been involved in both research and advocacy on Long Covid, approving at the All Party Parliamentary Group on COVID-19, and as a member of the Advisory Board of the patient charity 'Long Covid Support'.

Around one million people in the UK are affected by Long Covid. The LOCOMOTION PROJECT aims to produce a ‘gold standard’ for care by analysing what is happening to patients now, creating new systems of care and evaluating them to establish best practice.

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Imperial College Summer School

Dr Paul Strutton delivered a Masterclass in Anatomy to aspiring medics, as part of Imperial College’s August 2022 London Summer School Programme.

The programme which is run in partnership with the Medical Schools Council and funded by Health Education England aims to give students aged 16 – 19 the opportunity to experience what it is like to study at medical school and explore medicine as a future career.

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Researcher speaking to group

Imperial Science Cafés

The Imperial Science Cafés, a series of events hosted at Maggie’s West London, provides an opportunity for cancer researchers to present and discuss their research projects with individuals affected by cancer in a relaxed, open and informal setting.

These events help educate and engage patients and the public around cancer research and provides researchers with valuable patient perspectives on their on through sharing their personal experiences.

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Fightin’ Thru: Opening up conversations about mental health

The Institute of Global Health Innovation teams up with The Mind Map and Golden Gloves ABC, a boxing club in Toxteth, Liverpool to create the ‘Fightin’ Thru’ project. Together they hope to use boxing and popular culture to open up the conversation about mental health for young men, particularly those who identify as black and minority ethnic. Through the project, they aim to raise awareness of the appropriate support available.

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Screenshot network data lab group on zoom

Networked Data Lab

IGHI are collaborating with Imperial College Health Partners to carry out research on local priorities on the Discover-NOW integrated health data set.

In 2021, they engaged with people from under-represented groups in North West London to identify research priorities for health and care since COVID-19. With their findings, they aim to effect real change locally in North West London by helping to reduce existing inequalities.

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Screenshot Healthy Environments group on zoom

Healthy Environments Diverse Perspectives

The HELIX centre with Beard Askew worked on an innovative way to gather opinions on healthy environments across the UK from under-represented voices for UKRI/NERC.

A diverse group of about 100 members of the UK public took part, with various interactive elements to spark discussion. The community-led online project focused on speaking with people who are reportedly less likely to engage with natural environments e.g Elderly people, disabled people, people who of Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) groups and people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

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Photo of COVID Face Masks

Face masks

IGHI worked with Open Age to develop an idea proposed by a public representative. They co-designed a protective face mask for clinically vulnerable people that would signal to others to practice social distancing.

They worked with seldom heard groups including people who are part of BAME groups, disabled people and those living with a long-term condition.

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Awards, prizes, and engagements

The Department of Surgery and Cancer and its staff are continuously engaging the public through activities and events, as well as being recognised for their success in the sector. You can follow our Twitter account for up-to-date information on S&C awards, prizes, and engagements, or find historical successes here.