This good practice guide explores the challenges, benefits and opportunities associated with higher education institutions (HEIs) engaging the public in the disciplines of geography, earth and environmental science (GEES). We live in a world with massive global, societal and environmental challenges. Work undertaken in universities in the GEES disciplines contributes greatly to the search for solutions to these challenges. The GEES discplines are increasingly being made accessible in the public arena and it is essential that this engagement with the public is effective, accurate and constructive.

The guide begins by attempting to address a number of questions: What is public engagement and why should we do it? What are the benefits to HEIs? What type of audience should we be trying to engage? The guide then provides principles and guidelines on how best to go about engaging the public, and outlines a range of examples from Manchester Metropolitan University.