The Centre for Civic and Public Engagement

The Centre for Public Engagement was first established in 2012 to help support Queen Mary staff and students integrate public engagement into their work. Today we remain committed to supporting our staff, students, and the local community throughout their public engagement journey. In 2026, 'Civic' was incorporated to the Centre's name, bringing together our place-based focus, partnerships and Civic Agreement with the excellence achieved in our public engagement support.

Building on the success of our 2021 ‘Platinum Engage Watermark’ awarded by the NCCPE, we aim to enhance our support for public engagement across the University, and broaden our work with communities locally, nationally and internationally to engage with new groups whilst also strengthening the connections we already have.

The CPE works to embed civic, public and community engagement within the university by:

• Removing barriers to engagement through providing advice and support, training, and providing funding for staff and students at Queen Mary
• Celebrating the excellent work underway
• Advocating for an engaged Queen Mary
• Building relationships within the local community and strategic partnerships with anchor stakeholders
• Championing the need for engaged universities at a national level

You can contact us at any point to discuss all aspects of engagement and to receive further information on how to access our support services. The CPE has a core team of four members of staff who are here to help you. Find out more about the team.

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In memoriam: Professor Peter McOwan

Queen Mary’s Vice Principal for Public Engagement and Student Enterprise, Professor Peter McOwan passed away in 2019. Peter was instrumental in setting up the Centre for Public Engagement and his leadership and guidance led to Queen Mary being the first institution to be awarded a Gold Engage Watermark for Public Engagement in 2016.

Peter was posthumously awarded the Queen Mary Medal for his exceptional contribution to Queen Mary and his legacy is reflected in the outstanding public engagement projects delivered by staff and students, as well as the work of the Centre for Public Engagement.

In 2021, the 'McOwan Award for Leadership in Public Engagement' was introduced as one of the categories in the Engagement and Impact Awards to commemorate Peter's qualities of inspirational and transformational leadership and his passion for engagement.