The Centre for Exoplanets and Habitability (CEH) has recently applied to the STFC's Public Engagement Large Awards funding scheme. The proposal, titled "Forbidden Planets: Public Engagement for Planetary Habitability", is for a twelve-month project involving the engagement of an external 'practitioner-in-residence' (PIR) to work with CEH members of several public engagement projects.

The PIR will work with researchers from all of the academic departments involved in the Centre to improve public awareness of all aspects of planetary habitability, to present scientific research on habitability in new and innovative ways, and to create new perspectives that can only be reached by combining insights from different disciplines. This will lead to a body of artistic work that can engage members of the public into the future.

As well as engaging the PIR, the project aims to hold several small events exploring the myriad issues surrounding habitability from a range of perspectives. The project will culminate in a two-week "Forbidden Planets Festival" that will use science-fiction media as stimuli for learning activities on the subject of habitability.

The CEH now awaits the outcome of the application.