After every event we ask the winning scientists to write a short post to be sent to all the students who took part in the zone. It’s the perfect way for the scientists to reflect on the previous two weeks, thank all the students for voting for them, and talk about how they plan to use their £500 prize money.
If you’re a scientist keen to experience the ‘best crash course in scicomm’, apply now for the next event, taking place 5th–16th March, at imascientist.org.uk/scientist-apply
Natasha Myhill, University of Manchester, Cells Zone
The event completely exceeded my expectations. It was so exciting to be talking to so many students and to watch you all getting excited about my research, as well as seeing that we scientists are normal people too! Taking part has made me think more about what else I can do to help students understand the world of a scientist and broaden horizons.
Ryan Cutter, University of Warwick, Gravity Zone
It was real pleasure getting to talk to all the students. I’m sure all the other scientists would agree; their questions were fantastic and it’s awesome seeing how interested and engaged they all were. After meeting you all, I’m sure science in the future is going to be to amazing! Your enthusiasm and curiosity is inspiring, and it means a lot knowing there is interest in the work we are doing.
Ananthi Ramachandran, University of Leicester, Microbiology Zone
I enjoyed every second of I’m a Scientist, Get me out of here – I have never done anything like this before but I think it is a fantastic idea and a great opportunity for both students and for us scientists! I will definitely be recommending it to my friends and fellow scientists!
Georgina Hazell, University of Bristol, Stress Zone
Taking part in these events are just as important for the scientists as the students, as it allows us to take a step back from out day-to-day work and look at our research in a very different way. I was also very surprised by the quality of some of the questions – far more intelligent than I could have asked at that age! And I also enjoyed some of the ‘banterful’/amusing comments – a few had me (and colleagues) LOL-ing in the office! So again, massive thank you to the students.
Duncan McNicholl, Proteus, Uranium Zone
I’m happy to have won, but to be honest I’m more happy to have taken part; I got to answer 232 of your awesome questions outside the live chats, and I don’t even know how many inside the live chats, and I’m sure I definitely missed some others. I’m really glad too to have met (at least online) Sajid and Jayne and Anu and Katherine.
Oliver Wilson, University of Reading, Neptunium Zone
I honestly think that was the most fun thing I’ve ever done in science, and I’m gutted I won’t be having any more live chats this week. Your questions made me stop and think about the world, they made me reconsider some things I thought I already knew, and they helped me discover brand new things that I’d never come across before. I’ve come away appreciating the wonders of our planet and universe just a little bit more, and I hope you have too.
Senga Robertson, University of Dundee, Plutonium Zone
One of the very cool things your questions did was make me think about how I approach my research… I was making some things too complicated (scientists do that sometimes) but you have helped me realise I can take a far simpler approach to one of my experiments so mega thank you for that!!! It’s brilliant to see such enthusiasm from all of you, the range of your questions was way beyond what I could ever have hoped for.
If you’re up for the challenge, want to answer some downright weird questions, even learn things from students…
I’m a Scientist, Get me out of here runs every March, June, and November. It only takes 2 minutes and one sentence to apply!
