Public and community engagement
Queen Mary is the sector leader in public engagement, and we are committed to engaging and collaborating with communities in East London and across the globe through our research, teaching and other core business.
The excellence of public engagement at Queen Mary was recognised by the award of the Platinum Engage Watermark for Public Engagement by the National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement in 2021, the first award made at this level.
Queen Mary’s Civic University Agreement (CUA), launched in 2022, formalises our commitment to maximising our place-based impact in East London.
To get involved or find out more, you can contact the Centre for Public Engagement.
Encouraging eco-tourism by mapping turtles on Zakynthos
Sea turtles face many threats in modern oceans, from pollution to injuries caused by fishing and boats.
The Greek island of Zakynthos in the Ionian Sea is home to important loggerhead turtle nesting beaches, but the local economy is heavily dependent on tourism which often puts pressure on the turtles' habitat.
Dr Kostas Papafistoros, a Lecturer in Mathematical Data Science, has been working with local Zakynthos conservations groups to encourage tourists to share photos of turtles they spot on social media or via the Zakynthos Turtles website. These are analysed using advanced mathematical imaging tools to allow visitors to identify the individual turtle and learn more about their behaviour and life, encouraging ecologically sustainable tourism. Conservation groups in turn learn more about how Zakythos loggerheads behave and how humans impact their wellbeing.
Launching a nitrous oxide public health campaign
Medical students at Queen Mary launched a public health campaign to educate teenagers on the neurological risks of using nitrous oxide.
N2O: Know the Risks was launched after Alastair Noyce, Professor in Neurology and Neuroepidemiology at Queen Mary’s Wolfson Institute of Population Health and Consultant Neurologist at Barts NHS Trust, had seen a steep rise in spinal injuries among young people due to use of the drug.
The campaign educates teenagers through interactive sessions, social media and developing further research into the drug.
Launching a nitrous oxide public health campaign
Local engagement through Centre of the Cell’s STEMPod
Centre of the Cell is the first informal science education centre in the world to be located within working biomedical research laboratories. Since opening in 2009, Centre of the Cell has engaged with more than 275,000 participants.
In 2024-25, for instance, Centre of the Cell delivered 449 curriculum-linked science shows, workshops and mentoring sessions to more than 16,600 young people.
In its two unique learning spaces, via outreach to schools and community groups and with 1000 members of its Youth Scheme, Centre of the Cell shines a light on science.
Centre of the Cell aims to raise aspirations, inspire young people to find their passion for science, showcase research and open up scientific discussion with all. Centre of the Cell’s activity spans East London and far beyond.
Local engagement through Centre of the Cell