Find out about the Natural Environment Research Council’s latest activities to involve the public in environmental science, and explore case studies and other resources.
Current projects
Exemplars of Engaged Environmental Science Research
This programme addresses critical environmental challenges associated with flooding, coastal erosion and water quality through co-design and co-delivery of research and action with affected communities.
Spanning three regional projects in Merseyside and Cheshire, Yorkshire and the Outer Hebrides, the programme brings together local knowledge and scientific expertise to develop place-based solutions to environmental challenges.
Supported by a £2.4 million investment from NERC, the projects are co-led by local communities and scientists from inception through to delivery, ensuring that research is both locally relevant and impactful.
Find out more about the Exemplars projects.
Opening up the environment
A three-year programme to understand and mitigate the challenges faced by people from diverse backgrounds and disciplines to becoming involved in environmental research.
Find out more about the Opening up the Environment programme.
National parks: green skills and careers
National Parks Green Careers Skills Days seek to inspire young people to explore environmental careers in areas such as nature recovery, climate action and sustainable management of protected landscapes.
By bringing together employers, conservation organisations and skills providers, the event showcases the range of opportunities available in the green economy.
Find out more about National Parks Green Careers Skills Days.
Connecting People with Nature
This programme seeks to strengthen connections between environmental science and public audiences, recognising that public understanding and support are essential to sustaining investment in science and shaping its priorities.
By placing citizens at the heart of NERC’s decision-making and research considerations, Connecting People with Nature aims for research and innovation to reflect social needs and values.
Find out about two Connecting People with Nature projects provided by suppliers:
- Inspiring young people in Bristol to connect with nature, by the Centre for Sustainable Energy
- Connecting communities with nature, by ALP Synergy
Natural History Museum: Fixing our Broken Planet
The NERC-funded Fixing Our Broken Planet gallery, at the Natural History Museum, connects the public with environmental science, supporting science-based, practical solutions to the climate crisis.
In its first year of opening, the gallery welcomed more than 3 million visitors, establishing itself as the Natural History Museum’s second most visited space, after the dinosaurs gallery.
The three programme strands are intended to inspire a new generation of advocates for the planet by making environmental science accessible, relevant and actionable for millions of visitors:
Find out more about Fixing Our Broken Planet.
Natural History Museum: Nature and Us
Nature and Us presents a temporary exhibition, also at the Natural History Museum, that welcomes visitors to a gallery that’s been closed to the public for 80 years.
The new Nature and Us exhibition explores humanity’s evolving relationship with the natural world through 50 remarkable objects, inviting visitors to reflect on how people have shaped, and been shaped by, nature over time.
Find out more about Nature and Us.
Next Gen Earth
Working with the Association for Science and Discovery Centres, Next Gen Earth engages young people aged seven to 18 from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds with environmental science research and careers.
Find out more about Next Gen Earth.
Climate and Biodiversity Loss Engagement
This pilot programme, funded by the Royal Society and NERC, integrated scientific expertise with local knowledge to develop solutions to climate change and biodiversity loss.
Find out more about Climate and Biodiversity Loss Engagement.
Resources for public engagement
Public engagement case studies
The people and projects NERC invests in have made an impact on people’s lives and the world we live in through, for example, involving ‘citizen scientists’ in river water monitoring (YouTube video).
See more case studies of NERC research impact, from commercialisation for growth to international cooperation on biodiversity.
NERC Research Engage Academy
This capacity building programme, led by the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement, developed resources with environmental researchers and project staff on:
- leading environmental engagement
- partnerships in environmental engagement
- ethics of environmental engagement
Climate Hub
Find NERC-funded public engagement resources related to climate change on the Climate Hub.
Last updated: 9 September 2026