The Centre for Biomedicine & Global Health (CBGH) was delighted to welcome guests to the 2024 Afternoon of Science, at the beautiful Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) earlier this summer. This free event, aimed at the public, was designed to help demystify complex scientific concepts as well as give an insight into the research undertaken within our centre here at Napier.
This event was once again supported by the School of Applied Science’s Public Engagement fund along with the CBGH, and designed and organised by the Centre’s Deputy Director Dr Samantha Donnellan, who said that “engaging with the public builds trust between scientists and the community. Transparent communication about research goals, methods, and findings helps dispel misinformation and reduces scepticism. When people understand the science behind issues, such as vaccine safety or novel drug development, they are more likely to support and trust scientific advancements.”
The event contained a mix of quick-fire presentations from our leading academics on a variety of themes (from mangrove plantations to hunting cancer cells), hands-on demonstrations from our PhD students and researchers as well as posters from current BSc and MSc students undertaking research projects, as well as an exciting guest speaker, Dr Marco Giardiello, from the University of Liverpool. The event was rounded up with a drinks reception amongst the impressive Women in Science exhibit within the RSE.
Public engagement initiatives, such as science festivals, lectures, and interactive exhibits, can inspire curiosity and encourage young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). These activities can spark interest in STEM fields and help build a future generation of scientists and informed citizens and are therefore really important! Being able to meet a ‘real’ scientist, ask the questions you have always wanted answered, see firsthand an experimental procedure as well as meeting like-minded people all makes for an enjoyable Summer afternoon in the heart of Edinburgh. Join us for the next one!
