There are lots of opportunities for the public to engage with, and get involved in, our research. You can help our researchers make new discoveries through our citizen science projects or volunteer to take part in a clinical trial. Or if you’re local to Reading why not check out some of our local community projects? We also run a range of fascinating public lectures and events which give an insight into Reading’s research discoveries. Explore the links below to find out more.

University of Reading climate scientists are running a Weather Rescue citizen science project to digitise 19th century paper weather records

help us rescue weather data

Between 1883 and 1904 a group of Victorian meteorologists lived in a stone hut at the summit of Ben Nevis, observing the weather every hour of every day and night. Their handwritten readings could provide data vital to today’s climate science. Until now, these paper records have been hard to analyse and only a handful of archive-based researchers have been able to access them. Professor Ed Hawkins is running Weather Rescue, a citizen science project to break down the Herculean task of digitisation. To date, members of the public have rescued nearly 3 million observations. Sign up here to join them.

Children engaging with University of Reading research on bees and pollination at Kew Gardens

WHy we engage

We've signed up to the National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement manifesto - find out more about our approach to public engagement.

SOIL: Our buried treasure

Did you know that there are more microorganisms in a single teaspoon of soil than there are people on the planet? Visitors to the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition in July 2018 discovered this fact and more at an exhibit by Reading soil scientists: Soil: our buried treasure.

PUBLIC EVENTS

See all of the University's upcoming public events

Opening up science for all

OPENER opens up environmental science beyond the scientific community by recruiting citizen scientists and training researchers to involve the public. https://research.reading.ac.uk/openupsci/

our work in the local area

Loddon Observatory

This is an environmental initiative to support sustainable societies. It is currently looking at the challenges of flooding, water quality and sustainable agriculture. The initiative works to address challenges affecting us all by finding sustainable solutions within the Loddon Catchment of the Thames Basin – an area which covers 680 square kilometres across the counties of Berkshire, Hampshire and Surrey. Hosted at the University, it brings together researchers with charities, public sector, business and other research organisations. The observatory's overall aim is to find ways to build capability and capacity to meet 21st Century challenges and to inform policy and practice.

Reading International

Led by the Reading School of Art and hosted by partners within the town, Reading International is a new contemporary visual arts organisation. It promotes and commissions major solo exhibitions, shows, performances, film screenings, workshops, talks, offsite projects and temporary public artworks. Artists and curators are funded to make new work in response to the unique social and historical context of Reading and wider Berkshire. Projects for 2018 and 2019 will include exhibitions and events by Steve Claydon, Lada Nakonechna, Studio for Propositional Cinema, Helen Cammock and Public Movement as well as a programme of events in schools and libraries and a project for the Reading Abbey Ruins.

Silchester

Silchester, situated south-west of Reading, is the modern name of the Roman town Calleva Atrebatum. Archaeological excavations of the Roman town have been led by University of Reading Professor Mike Fulford since the 1970s. The site is currently the location of our Archaeology Field School, focused on the excavation of the Roman public baths, and our Iron Age Environs project. The complete circuit of the Roman town walls and its amphitheatre are open to visitors all year round and you can download an iPhone app for self-guided tours. Each summer the University runs open days which offer the public the chance to see the excavations and learn about the archaeology and history of the site.

University of Reading Museums

Come face to face with the mask of a terrifying Gorgon Medusa, see an elephant skeleton up close and explore our collection of original Ladybird Book covers. The University is home to the Museum of English Rural Life, The Ure Museum of Greek Archaeology and The Cole Museum of Zoology as well as the Herbarium and some fascinating collections of books, prints and letters.

Volunteer for a study

The University carries out a range of research trials, for example in cardiovascular health or psychology, and we often need volunteers to participate in our studies. If you are interested in getting involved, explore the links below:

Trials currently looking for volunteers on our Research blog

Hugh Sinclair Human Nutrition Group