Presentation from "The challenges of measuring informal science learning" at the 2013 Science Communication Conference organised by the British Science Association - slides by Emma Pegram

1. Wellcome’s ISL Review and
Evaluation and Research at
the NHM
Emma Pegram

2. The knowledge base issue
‘ the modal (most common) value for how many individuals
had read each publication was zero... The most read article
had been read by less than 50% of these key practitioners’
Wellcome Trust 2012 p5

3. Do we use research to inform practice?

4. Project specific evaluation

5. From an evaluative culture to one that focuses on visitors’
learning and contributes to organisational (and sector) learning
and change

6. Language
• Measurement
• Measuring success
• Evaluating impact
• Understanding the visitor’s experience

7. Meeting scientists in Nature Live: what are the impacts on
visitors?
Collaborative PhD King’s College London: NHM

8. EU Researchers Night: Science Uncovered impact report

9. Participants are inspired to consider research careers
1. Young People’s Reception Snapshot interviews (n=20)
• Broadening perceptions and understanding
– It seems like I am more interested in it right now because before when you think of science you think you
are going to be a doctor or a dentist or optician but now your view is like more wider and you can do loads
of different things.
– I didn’t really know how many different things there were, but Geoff said how he discovered a new species
and I didn’t realise how you can do that
• Opportunity to ask the scientists specific questions
– I was like talking to her about choices for universities and she was giving her opinion on each one and it
was really helpful

10. Participants are inspired to consider research careers
2. Group interviews (n=39)
• Better understanding of science careers
– The room with the big whale, yes, she was talking about her phytoplankton and she spent up to two
months at a time in the North Sea with just 35 other people.
– We were asking, did you get annoyed with the people. She said actually it was the food that got to her.
• Inspired by science careers
– So I wish that I'd taken more notice and studied harder in school. And followed - Because just
looking at these people, they love their jobs, they're deeply involved in it, and they're happy. And yeah, I
definitely wish I'd taken that up. Without a doubt.

11. Questions?