News

Universities seek 'everyday experts'

(30 April 2008)

University researchers are searching for 'everyday experts' in the North East to offer new ideas around ageing, vitality, energy and the environment.

They are particularly interested to hear from people who have no formal training in these areas but do have valuable life experience and are keen to help influence future research. This work will be part of the £1.2 million Beacon project, a four-year pilot bringing together Durham and Newcastle Universities and the Centre for Life, which aims to connect local people with the expertise available on their doorstep. Dr Tom Wakeford, director of the Beacon project, said: “The idea is to make universities more open to learning from local people's own life experiences as workers, patients or carers. “They bring a fresh perspective and will often ask better questions than academics. It's important to include them in decisions about where our research needs to be heading in the future. “By bringing 'everyday experts' together with academics, we can get the best of both worlds and really make a difference to the issues that affect all of us living in the North East and beyond.” Young people in the region are already involved in the Beacon through the Climate Change Schools Project, which links young people directly to their own future and that of the planet as a whole. It is run by Dr Krista McKinzey at the Science Learning Centre North East (SLCNE) at Durham University and shows how developing technologies can lead to a more sustainable world. To get the message around the region, the project uses an electric Smart car, charged by the SLCNE's own wind turbine. The car, one of only 100 of these vehicles worldwide, sports a logo designed to make us think about climate change, which was created by Sally Gray, 13, of Rothbury. Professor Michael Pennington, Durham University's Director of Educational Outreach, said: “Climate Change is affecting all our lives. The challenge is how to use energy more efficiently, minimise pollution and use depleting resources more effectively. “While technology will help, people from all walks of life have a role to play, bringing their views on wind power, nuclear waste, transport and communications. “Only by pooling experience and expertise will we devise new ways to meet these challenges and open new horizons that will continue to improve our quality of life for generations to come.” The Beacon project needs to recruit 15 people for its steering group, and is open to application from anyone from 16-years-old upwards, covering an area from the Scottish border across to Cumbria and down into North Yorkshire. Members will have to meet four times a year, and travel and any care costs will be reimbursed. For more information about the Beacon and becoming a member of the steering group, contact beacon@ncl.ac.uk before 27th May 2008.