In this blog series we will be featuring our award winners and highly commended recipients from the Faculty’s ‘Outstanding Contribution to PPIE’ awards. Showcasing the inspirational and outstanding commitment to PPIE that has made a positive difference to our community and highlighting the amazing events, activities, people and groups from across the Faculty. 

Our next blog in this series will feature Shaufa Shareef, a committed public engagement volunteer and postgraduate student from the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology. Shaufa won the Individual: Student category at the 2023 awards. 

The Programme of Public Engagement with Research & Researchers at the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology aims to connect scientists with underserved communities. It relies on research staff and student volunteers to take up the opportunities offered and share their work and/or experiences with diverse, non-specialist audiences. Over the past year, Shaufa has been the most dedicated of all the outreach volunteers, attending every event and even organising a contribution of her own. Below are some selected events she has contributed to: 

University of Manchester Community Festival 2022 

Shaufa was one of only two researchers to volunteer as a Biotech Busker, engaging visitors with fun DNA demonstrations. She stayed the entire day and moved between different areas of the campus to talk to as many people as possible, even working her way along the climbing wall queue to keep children occupied while they waited. 

Oldham Library Visit 

Shaufa brought a range of activities and set them up in the library to catch passers-by as they visited their local community facility. The event was so well received that Shaufa was invited back a few months later to engage people there again – something which she organised herself, even including an expanded suite of scientific games and demonstrations. 

ScienceX at the Manchester Central Library 

This event was organised by the Faculty of Science & Engineering Social Responsibility team. Despite not being from that faculty, Shaufa was keen to support the event with more Biotech Busking again, staying for as much of the event as she could (despite it taking place during a working day). She was careful to ensure people of all ages, with various degrees of scientific knowledge could engage by matching her level of explanation and choice of demonstrations in a visitor-centred manner. 

Shaufa’s public engagement contribution has been invaluable in communicating knowledge and promoting science across the Greater Manchester community. Congratulations Shaufa! 

To find out more about PPIE: watch our short film, sign up to the monthly Public Engagement Digest, visit the PPIE blog, or contact srbmh@manchester.ac.uk.    

To read more about other PPIE Award winners visit here . 

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