• Question: Do you go to events to explain to people what your work does?

    Asked by lucy to Aaron, Abbey, Keith, Natalie, Pete on 12 Nov 2015.
    • Photo: Aaron Boardley

      Aaron Boardley answered on 12 Nov 2015:

      I’ve been to lots of events in the past – sometimes to explain, sometimes to listen – they’re a major way for scientists to meet one another, hear about the latest findings, and ask questions and challenge each other about what the findings mean. These days, my job is more involved in organising and promoting the events rather than speaking at them myself.

      Tonight, example, at my work, we’ve got the woman who is in charge of technology at McLaren, talking about how they design formula one racing cars. Fun stuff!

    • Photo: Natalie Garrett

      Natalie Garrett answered on 13 Nov 2015:

      I do a lot of outreach activities to talk to people about science! I think it’s very important to communicate the research I do, so that every day people can be more informed about what scientists actually do, and to help give school children a better idea of what you can do if you study science.

      I am a STEMNET ambassador (which stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics network) so I get told about all the events in my local vicinity that I can take part in. Recently, I toured a lot of schools in the South West to give lectures about my research (in total, I talked to around 3000 schoolchildren). I’ve also done an “ask me anything” on the website imgur.com and I’ve taken part in events like “Meet the Scientist” (which was an Aimhigher organised scheme, where scientists visited schools) and the South West’s Big Bang Fair. On top of that, I organise school tours and work experience placements in my laboratory.

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