Nights at the museum: integrated arts and microbiology public engagement events enhance understanding of science whilst increasing community diversity and inclusion

This study uses integrated art and science events to explore a blended approach in improving public understanding of current scientific topics widening participation within the local community. The were Halloween-inspired microbiology-themed series interactive exhibitions hosted national museum as part an existing adult education evenings. A representative sample 102 mixed methods exit questionnaires, based on determining (i) audience diversity (ii) topics, analysed by qualitative quantitative approaches, post-attendance focus group was carried out determine longer term impact event. Participants grouped 'Science', 'Arts', 'Both' or 'Neither', according their past experience engagement. These welcomed more participants from Arts Neither subsections hence engaging people who would not usually visit engagement comparative traditional academic settings, highlighting importance venue choice reaching new audiences participation. An increase perceived observed all groups with reported enjoyment focused around talks, presentations art-science activities. putative capital is reporting increased likelihood attending future. Furthermore, discussion awareness society evidenced participants. Blended microbiology enhance accessibly likely capital; this cognitive polyphasia also discussed.