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QinetiQ has transformed from civil servants in shadowy, geographically-dispersed MOD research establishments into a highly-networked, multi-national science and technology company.

Reaching Out: QinetiQ’s rapidly developing STEM engagement strategy

One thing that hasn't changed is the breadth of QinetiQ’s technical expertise, which places it in a unique position to support UK education and public and professional engagement across the spectrum of STEM subjects.

Partnership with the IET is a key enabler of this potential. QinetiQ and the IET have created a series of innovation events for SMEs across the UK. Nearly 1000 QinetiQ employees hold membership of the IET with 39 new IET members in 2006 alone. Once again, towards the end of 2006 a QinetiQ employee achieved IET Fellowship status. And the potential to work with the IET beyond the professional arena, in public outreach and school education, is significant.

Dr Stuart Poore, QinetiQ’s Corporate Responsibility Manager says: “QinetiQ is committed to supporting Government and the CBI in their aims for STEM education and technical literacy. And of course outreach benefits QinetiQ in terms of employees’ skill development, local community relationships and future recruitment”.

QinetiQ consulted widely with external stakeholders – from students and teachers, through professional institutes and science museums, to organisations such as the Association for Science Education and the Engineering and Technology Board - to produce a stakeholder-led outreach strategy. Its implementation plan has already achieved success: a 125% increase in the number of SETNET Science & Engineering Ambassadors, five tours of the Institute of Physics lab-in-a-lorry and a successful contribution to the Cheltenham Science Festival.

QinetiQ’s strategy has three foci: adult public, students (Key Stage 3 and above) and ‘classroom influencers’ – teachers, careers advisors and schools inspectors. Its guiding principles are: External collaboration; Internal networking; Inclusivity (“inner city to outer isle”); “Education pull, not industry push”; “Fund and contribute, not fund and forget’”; Measurement of success (or failure).

Dr Martin Thomas, who leads QinetiQ’s outreach programme says: “Our consultation showed that collaboration is key to maximising benefit to the UK. So QinetiQ has shied away from own-branded, stand-alone resources and activities. Instead, we are working in partnership with thought-leaders in STEM education and public engagement and are keen to establish more collaborations across industry, education and academia.”

What of the future? QinetiQ’s plan is progressing so well that it is expanding into more diverse areas. Links have been established in STEM-art and with overseas outreach organisations. In fact, one of QinetiQ’s outstanding public communicators has just returned from a lecture tour of South Africa as part of the Sasol SciFest. Martin says: “Metaphorically speaking, if you are a QinetiQ employee with an inspirational story to tell, we can give you a megaphone and an appropriate mountain from which to shout!”.

QinetiQ’s outreach team can be contacted via their website.