Would you like to help shape how the public engages with research into history of science, technology and medicine (HSTM)? Do you want to gain experience directing grants and awarding prizes for a range of outreach and engagement activities?

The BSHS is looking for a Chair (voluntary role) to lead the Outreach and Engagement Committee (OEC).

The OEC coordinates and directs the Society’s efforts to promote the understanding of the history of science, technology and medicine in a wide range of contexts, both formal and informal. We do this through public events, supporting researchers to work with museums, festivals and schools, and through the provision of grants and awards. We oversee the following activities:

BSHS Ayrton Prize – recognises outstanding web projects and digital engagement
BSHS Hughes Prize – awarded every two years to the best book in the history of science published in English which is accessible to a wide audience of non-specialist
BSHS Engagement Fellowships – funds the placement of a student with heritage organisations and contributes towards costs of public engagement outputs related to the research undertaken.
BSHS Exhibiting Excellence Prize – recognises excellence in public exhibitions that address topics in HSTM.
OEC Project Grants – awarded three times a year to support engagement and outreach projects in HSTM

The committee also works to foster relationships between universities, museums and other institutions concerned with public engagement. You can find out more about the OEC here.

The role of the Chair is to provide leadership and direction to the OEC. The main responsibilities of the Chair are:

Championing the work of OEC among stakeholders in the academic, heritage and education sector
Supporting the OEC in delivering Prizes, Grants and Fellowships
Chairing and facilitating board meetings (three times a year)
Reporting on OEC activities and contributing to BSHS Council Meetings (three times a year)
Liaising with the BSHS Chair, Treasurer and Executive Secretary to manage and deliver funds

Ideal candidates for the Chair would:

have experience of HSTM as a scholarly discipline at undergraduate or postgraduate level or in a professional capacity (schools outreach, public engagement or social media officer positions in a university, heritage organisation or learned society)
have experience of engaging audiences with HSTM research (on either a voluntary or professional basis)
be passionate about communicating HSTM to a wide range of audiences and be interested in developing engagement with the discipline more broadly

Responsibilities for Chair:

three meetings a year (currently virtual). The BSHS covers travel expenses to in-person meetings.
contribute to meetings, discussions over email and review applications for grants and prizes
have a term of up to three years

The above should be read as suggestions, above all we are looking to recruit someone with enthusiasm and imagination. If you are interested in joining a lively, friendly committee, please email OEC Chair Rachel Boon (outreach@bshs.org.uk) with a statement covering the following questions (maximum 500 words each) by 20 January 2023:

What is your experience of delivering and/or developing engagement with HSTM?
Which potential publics for HSTM research do you think the BSHS could engage with better and how?