The success of engineering projects depends on understanding the intersection of technology with human values and behaviour. Engineers who lack an understanding of the human side are at a disadvantage, as are citizens who lack an understanding of the technology. Sustained Engagement is a project funded by Royal Academy of Engineering as part of the Ingenious grant scheme that brings engineers and citizens together in ways that encourage each group to engage deeply and constructively with the other, to the benefit of both. We believe that engineers who get involved in this project will emerge with a better understanding of the changes towards more sustainable behaviour that citizens would like to make, those they would not be willing to make, and of the social barriers to change.

The project will provide engineers with practical experience of public engagement activities by staging a series of twelve public discussion events on a range of issues on the theme of engineering for sustainability. The events will take place in London, The North East and Sheffield. At least 300 members of the public will discuss engineering and its impact on our daily lives.

Participating engineers will present their solution to an engineering-related policy issue, allowing them to share their knowledge and reflect on the social impact of their work. The events will use a process designed by new economics foundation (nef) called Crowd Wise which encourages engineers to engage more deeply with audiences in order to seek consensus.

The project is driven by new economics foundation in partnership with three public engagement partners:

1. The Great Debate in the North East
2. Action for Involvement (A4I) in Sheffield
3. The British Science Association in London

North East Events: Visions for the Future of the City, Saturday, 22nd October 2011 The Future of Energy for the North East, 6:30 - 8:30pm, Monday, 12th December 2011 The Engineering Challenges of Sustainable Transport, 6:30 - 8:30pm, Wednesday, 14th March 2012 The Great Infrastructure Debate, 8:00 - 10:30am, Thursday, 26th April 2012

The North East events are organised by The Great Debate in partnership with

• new economics foundation
• Newcastle Institute for Research on Sustainability
• RCE North East
• Newcastle University
• Durham University and
• Northumbria University

North East Steering Group:
Dr Caspar Hewett, Director and Chair, The Great Debate
Professor Paul Younger, Director, Newcastle Institute for Research on Sustainability
Professor Dermot Roddy, Director, Sir Joseph Swan Centre for Energy Research.
Professor Tony Unsworth, Chair of Engineering, School of Engineering and Computing Sciences, Durham University
Dr Sara Walker, Director, Sustainable Buildings and Energy Systems Group, Northumbria University
Bill Colwell, independent advisor

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