The Society is delighted to announce the projects that have received support from this year’s Public Engagement Grants. The scheme, now in its second year, offers up to £5000 for projects that promote engagement between public audiences and physiologists. 
This year we have funded five imaginative projects, which take physiology to a range of different audiences. Following the success of last year’s Sports Zone, we are pleased to be funding the Human Limits Zone in June’s round of I’m a Scientist: Get me out of here!. This ties in with this year’s outreach theme of physiology in extreme environments.
Physiology Bites, from Adair Richards Associates, brings together physiologists and school children to discuss and explore exciting areas of physiological research. The pupils will then make radio documentaries for broadcast on community radio allowing the listening public to hear about this research. Adair Richards explained that ‘our partners and I have been wanting to do this project for some time but without this funding the opportunity may never have materialised. We are looking forward to working hard to ensure our project as a significant impact both on the researchers and members of the public who we will be working with’. 
The Royal Veterinary College received funding to build upon last year’s hugely successful RVC Late. At these evening events the audience gets to have a go at a range of experiments, chat to scientists about their work and even see a live dissection. James Cannon of the RVC said: ‘Everyone involved with RVC Lates was absolutely thrilled at receiving this Public Engagement Grant. The RVC Lates are fantastic fun and knowing that we can continue them with the Physiological Society’s support is a huge boost.’
The Enlightenment Café: Deadinburgh ran from 18 – 21 April in Summerhall Arts Centre, Edinburgh. An immersive theatre project, the audience was offered safe haven in the building from the zombies outside. After hearing from a range of scientists, including neuroscientist Lewis Hou, on how their research could shed light on the fictional disease, the audience got to decide whether to save Edinburgh or not.
The Angel Exit Theatre company will bring the endocrine system to life at the Green Man Festival in August using Greek mythology in an event called Hormone Harmony. Drawing on the Greek origins of the word hormone they will create larger than life characters inspired by Greek mythology whose characteristics relate to feelings, behaviours and physiological functions affected by hormones. Lynne Forbes of Angel Exit Theatre company told us ‘It will be our third year collaborating with scientists to create walkabout theatre in Einstein’s Garden at the Green Man Festival and we’re really excited about exploring a whole new area of science.’
If you have your own public engagement activity, you can apply for funding from our Public Engagement Grants or Outreach Grants.