Explore Awards: successful awards

Dr Jenny Gales
School of Biological and Marine Sciences
Faculty of Science and Engineering

The aim of this project is to engage the public (schools, colleges, wider interest groups, researchers) with ocean exploration research, in the form of a 360-degree immersive film experience. The film will be showcased (over a 3–6-month period) at a range of international locations, including the Market Hall, Plymouth. The film will also be uploaded to publicly available online viewing platforms such as YouTube.

This film will stimulate discussion and collaboration between international researchers, bringing together a diverse range of people at the public engagement events and potentially driving future research questions and international partnerships.

Dr Gary Hodge
School of Nursing and Midwifery
Faculty of Health

This project proposes to produce a journey mapping as a visual representation of the potential contact points between people with dementia and their care partners and dementia pathway providers in Plymouth using a fictional character (persona).

This is a pilot project to establish if journey mapping could be used as a way of collecting (qualitative) data collaboratively with people living with dementia, their care partners and health and care stakeholders and to support future research methodology and awards.

Dr Daniela Oehring
School of Health Professions
Faculty of Health

This project will engage directly with individuals with dementia, their carers, and relevant stakeholders in co-designing dementia-friendly protocols for brain-imaging studies. Building upon relationships with the Academic Partnerships Lead for Dementia to understand the best approach to engaging with the dementia community.

On project completion, it is expected that the project outputs will be used to inform a large-scale study that refines and evaluates the dementia-friendly brain-imaging protocols with the dementia community beyond Plymouth, nationally and internationally.

Dr Nicole Thomas
School of Health Professions
Faculty of Health

As part of the 2025 annual Stoke Village Fun Day, the aims of the research village will be to provide opportunities for residents, researchers, and community organisations, to highlight and engage with what it is happening within their local community and to collaborate on health-related research that reflect and respond to the community’s priorities.

A key feature of the research village will be its collaborative design. Stoke community members will guide the development of the research village, from selecting health topics and projects to designing activities that encourage engagement through regular ‘health chats’ before the event.

Dr Kirsty Matthews Nicholass
School of Biological and Marine Sciences
Faculty of Science and Engineering

“The Mushroom Show” is aimed at showcasing the integration of academic research and creative disciplines with public and community settings. This show explores how multigenerational relationships within society can benefit from lessons learned from fungi, with the aim to adopt cohesion with local communities. This mini-project focusses on how science and the arts can engage the community and inspire future scientists.

The film will serve as an educational tool that can reach a wider audience, beyond those who attend the show. By including “educational snippets”, the film will help introduce key themes in mycology and the role of fungi in the environment. Additionally, it will function as a “case-study” video within the University, demonstrating the impact of interdisciplinary collaboration and public engagement where researchers can enhance the outreach of their own research.

Dr Lee Hutt
School of Biomedical Sciences
Faculty of Health

This proposal seeks to enhance public awareness and engagement on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through educational initiatives, including an exhibit at the Roman Baths Museum (the Roman Baths hot spring in Bath is a source of potentially novel antimicrobials), public workshops, and collaborative partnerships. The goal is to foster responsible antimicrobial use and drive meaningful behaviour change across communities.

The project will educate children and teenagers about infection prevention and antimicrobial use and build a foundation of awareness that can sustain responsible behaviour into adulthood. This early engagement is crucial, as it is the under-18 generation which could face an adulthood without effective antibiotics.