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Democratizing the Physics of Life: spreading the word beyond the University

 

Outreach team

• We have a highly activities outreach programme focussed on the Physics of Life
• Many of our outreach team are early career scientists
• We engage schools and lay public, have a hugely popular seminar series as well as workshops, conferences, symposia, ideas/grants pitching, graduate student teaching, talk and viva rehearsal presentations, project updates, and popular Away Days

The Physics of Life outreach team is spearheaded by the PoL Outreach Committee chaired by Antoinette Alevropoulos-Borri (Nettie)

 Pint of Science

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Pint of Science is a mini-festival of science talks in pubs. Due to the cross-disciplinary and wide-breadth of Biophysics there are several different themes that Biophysics members can be involved with including: Atoms to Galaxies (Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Astronomy), Tech Me Out (Biotechnology, Robotics and Computing) and Our Body (Medicine, Human Biology, Health). Each night 3 academics will give roughly a 30 minute talk each, and receive a pint afterwards for their efforts. If you want to be involved email Nettie (abab501@york.ac.uk) or the Pint of Science Coordinators Azhar (azhar.khabli@york.ac.uk) and Roberto (rjp521@york.ac.uk).

 

York Researchers' Night

YorNight

YorNight gives researchers the chance to share their work with families in York. This year, Nettie, Sébastien, George, Victor, and Emma went to share their research on biomolecules and swimming microbes, with the help of Sébastien's and Laurence's equipment.

Using VR, we shared the world of nucleosomes and DNA-binding proteins. Members of the public could step into the molecular world and move, manipulate, shrink, and zoom two DNA-binding proteins. Meanwhile, other members of the group explained the need for packaging DNA. A collection of 3D photos of carnivorous plants was then used to attract the public, while a small container of swimming algae was projected using a Class 1 laser.

York festival of Ideas

FoI

On 9 June 2018, Nettie, Sébastien, and Victor, from the Physics of Life Group, first took DNA Bracelets to the York public through the Festival of Ideas Family Fun Afternoon. Children (and adults) made DNA bracelets with small sequences from oranges, gorillas, butterflies, humans and flesh-eating microbes. The idea was to teach children that DNA is inside every living thing, and that it is composed of only four bases.

The day went really well, with everyone learning a bit more about DNA, and what it's made from. One child even took their bracelet into school the next day for show-and-tell!

DNA Bracelets returned for Festival of Ideas 2019, along with some new Physics of Life activities.

Physics of Life Group Away Days

The annual Physics of Life Research Away Day 2019 was held at The Hawkhills, Easingwold. Forty members of staff, research associates and students, including physicists, chemists, engineers and mathematicians participated in the event, comprising a mixture of flash-talk presentations and open scientific discussions focusing on the next-generation of interdisciplinary research. 

 

Away Day 2

Away Days 4

Physics of Life UK network summer schools

PoLNET Summer School 2019

Physics of Life Summer School 2018, Durham Castle
A fantastic week with inspirational peers!

The Physics of Life Group in York is a key supporter of the Physics of Life UK network annual summer school, which brings together graduate students and postdocs across the physics-life sciences interface to learn from expert tutors about key areas in the Physics of Life – a hugely subsidised and fun week!

Get involved!

To suggest a new activity or get involved in Physics of Life outreach at York, email Nettie (abab501@york.ac.uk).