Jensen, Eric and Buckley, Nicola (2011) The role of university student volunteers in festival-based public engagement. Bristol: National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement..

Abstract

This report adduces evidence from two surveys commissioned by the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement on the role of student volunteering and universities in festivalbased public engagement. Conducted September –November 2010, one survey gathered the views of student volunteers and the other focused on festival organisers. Results show that student volunteers play a key role in making festivals effective spaces for public engagement. Many students are directly involved in festival organisation and the design and delivery of engagement activities. However, the most consistent finding in terms of student volunteers' role is that they inhabit the interstices of festivals, fulfilling crucial roles in the spaces between paid staff's capabilities and responsibilities. Moreover, student volunteers brought an enthusiasm to their subjects and to public engagement that festival organisers identified as invaluable for enhancing visitor experiences.

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