Scientists

Bite-sized volunteering to boost technicians’ outreach confidence

Georgia has been taking part in I’m a Scientist for 5 years while working as a research technician at Johnson Matthey.

Since she first took part in 2020, Georgia has connected with approximately 650 students at schools from Aberdeenshire to Devon, right from her desk. It’s a flexible introduction to public engagement that fits around her work.

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Posted on June 5, 2025 by modjamie in News, Scientists | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Bite-sized volunteering to boost technicians’ outreach confidence

An easy intro to public engagement for animal technicians

Jennifer took part in I’m a Scientist while working as a laboratory technician, caring for mice kept for medical research purposes.

She answered students’ questions about animal research and welfare, helping to build understanding about her role in medical research.

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Posted on June 4, 2025 by modjamie in News, Scientists | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on An easy intro to public engagement for animal technicians

The I’m a Scientist Academy

Taking part in both [I’m a Scientist and the Academy] allowed me to engage in active, reflective learning… Learning about science capital has really changed my mindset.

– PhD student and I’m a Scientist Academy alumnus, Katie

Reflective practice is key to professional and personal development. It’s a process recommended by many organisations as part of the annual accreditation for Chartered Scientist and Technician status.

However, self-reflection isn’t an innate skill for everyone. The I’m a Scientist Academy supports scientists to reflect on and evidence their participation in student engagement in real time. Continue reading

Posted on May 29, 2025 by modjamie in News, Scientists | Tagged , | Comments Off on The I’m a Scientist Academy

Showing students the multitude of pathways into STEM careers

Through I’m an Engineer, Aisling Lee was able to show school students a different pathway into STEM. Continue reading

Posted on May 17, 2022 by in News, Scientists | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Showing students the multitude of pathways into STEM careers

Transforming scientists’ approaches to public engagement through I’m a Scientist

Taking part in I’m a Scientist, Get me out of here! transformed PhD student Liam Taylor’s approach to public engagement. Continue reading

Posted on October 19, 2021 by in Scientists | Tagged | Comments Off on Transforming scientists’ approaches to public engagement through I’m a Scientist

Supporting an employee’s public outreach

Réka Nagy, a Scientist at Genomics PLC, approached her employer about taking part in I’m a Scientist in the summer of 2020. Her manager found that taking part was beneficial to both of them: “In addition to the fact that she was doing something useful, I think Réka benefitted from the opportunity to improve her presentation and engagement skills.” Continue reading

Posted on April 21, 2021 by in Scientists | Tagged | Comments Off on Supporting an employee’s public outreach

Learning quality engagement principles in IAS Academy

Katie believes taking the course ‘really added value’ to her experience: “The IAS Academy was of interest to me as I haven’t had the opportunity for much formal training in outreach and felt that my skills could be improved by doing it alongside the IAS activity.” Continue reading

Posted on January 20, 2020 by modemily in News, Scientists | Tagged | Comments Off on Learning quality engagement principles in IAS Academy

Transforming perceptions of public engagement

Julian is an active malaria researcher. He also leads a programme of learning and engagement around genomics for scientists, healthcare professionals and public audiences.

In 2011, Julian took part in the Argon Zone of I’m a Scientist and describes it as a ‘transformative moment’ in his public engagement career:
“On my office wall I have a couple of papers that have made the covers of certain journals. Right next to them is my certificate from I’m a Scientist” Continue reading

Posted on December 4, 2019 by modemily in News, Scientists | Tagged | Comments Off on Transforming perceptions of public engagement

Highlighting technician roles in industry

Jess Leung took part in an I’m a Scientist general zone along with five other scientists from a range of industries and career stages.

School students were very interested in her work “testing flavours that go into food and drinks” and she found the whole experience rewarding, fun and flexible enough to fit in around her work schedule. Continue reading

Posted on October 10, 2019 by modemily in News, Scientists | Tagged | Comments Off on Highlighting technician roles in industry

Kickstarting an award winning public engagement career

Suzi won the Brain Zone back in June 2011 as a PhD student at the University of Bristol. She wanted to put her prize money towards starting a podcast that explained the science of substance use. Continue reading

Posted on July 24, 2019 by modemily in News, Scientists | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Kickstarting an award winning public engagement career

Improving communication skills and finding phrases that work

 

Aileen remembers taking part in I’m a Scientist when at school. Now a PhD student in Data, Risk and Environmental Analytical Methods, Aileen participated as a scientist in the Climate Zone.

Aileen had had experience communicating her work to visitors at her research institute and at one off events like Big Bang Fair. However, she believes taking part helped her develop short ‘quick-fire’ explanations of her research. Continue reading

Posted on June 25, 2019 by modemily in News, Scientists | Tagged | Comments Off on Improving communication skills and finding phrases that work

Long lasting benefits for employees and employers

 

Before taking part in I’m an Engineer, Emma Ryan felt the engagement events she was involved in weren’t reaching those who would benefit most. “Talking to girls about engineering is a big push for what I do,” she says, “but we were going to speak to women at university who know they’re doing engineering… I think it’s more important to go back to primary school.”

In I’m an Engineer, Emma was able to directly reach this audience. Winning the zone then gave her £500 towards her own engagement activities, which she used to leverage support from her employer. Continue reading

Posted on June 17, 2019 by modemily in News, Scientists | Tagged | Comments Off on Long lasting benefits for employees and employers

Two-way engagement: immediate feedback on communication

 

Before taking part in I’m a Scientist, Max Jamily’s previous outreach experience was mainly blog posts and summer camps. “That definitely sets I’m a Scientist aside, where the main focus was me and my work,” he says. Continue reading

Posted on June 6, 2019 by modemily in News, Scientists | Tagged | Comments Off on Two-way engagement: immediate feedback on communication

Improving communication skills through text-only conversations

 

Euan took part in I’m a Scientist during the second year of his PhD at the Quantum Engineering Centre for Doctoral Training. Answering questions through the text-based format allowed him to ‘recalibrate’ his language to suit his audience.

Euan had done some in-person engagement previously but does not think of it as the best way to develop communication skills. Continue reading

Posted on June 4, 2019 by modemily in News, Scientists | Tagged | Comments Off on Improving communication skills through text-only conversations

STEM engagement for scientists’ busy schedules

Hayley Pincott took part in I’m a Scientist in June 2018, spending two weeks chatting with school students about her role as an Associate Practitioner Healthcare Scientist at a University Dental Hospital. Hayley found the experience flexible enough to fit around the workload of a public sector scientist, and it gave her the skills and confidence to do further public engagement. Continue reading

Posted on April 3, 2019 by admin in News, Scientists | Tagged | Comments Off on STEM engagement for scientists’ busy schedules

‘That was the most fun thing I’ve ever done in science’ – November 2017 Winners blog posts

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

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Posted on November 24, 2017 by in News, Scientists | Comments Off on ‘That was the most fun thing I’ve ever done in science’ – November 2017 Winners blog posts

‘My spirit is uplifted’ – June 2017 Winners blog posts

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 6th–17th November, at imascientist.org.uk/scientist-apply   Sanjib Bhakta, Birkbeck University of London, Drug Resistance Zone I never believed live-chat could be so easy and often stress-busting! My special thanks to all the students for engaging constructively and asking brilliant questions all round. I am reassured that all your intensely inquisitive minds, love, passion and extended hands will make global health emergencies like drug resistance appear trivial and under control in the near … Continue reading

Posted on June 30, 2017 by in News, Scientists | Comments Off on ‘My spirit is uplifted’ – June 2017 Winners blog posts

March 2017 Winner Blogs

After every event we ask the winning scientists to write a short blog 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 at imascientist.org.uk/scientist-apply Let’s take a look at what the March Winners had to say… Carrie Ijichi, Animal Behaviour Zone The students have blown my mind with their open, creative inquiries about animal behaviour and how much they care about the subject. To be voted the winner at the end of all that fun was such a surprise and made me feel really special. I want to thank all the students who asked questions … Continue reading

Posted on March 23, 2017 by in News, Scientists | Comments Off on March 2017 Winner Blogs

November 2016 Winner Blogs

After every event we ask the winning scientists to write a short blog to be sent to all the students in 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 at imascientist.org.uk/scientist-apply Let’s take a look at what the November Winners had to say… Joe, Brain Zone A big thank you to all of the students with their exuberant enthusiasm, never-ending curiosity, and fantastic sense of humour. I thoroughly enjoyed chatting with you and discussing your questions. I was really impressed how some of you put the finger right onto the big questions that have kept scientists and philosophers busy for centuries. Other … Continue reading

Posted on December 5, 2016 by in News, Scientists | Comments Off on November 2016 Winner Blogs

June 2016 Winner Blogs

After every event we ask the winning scientists to write a short blog to be sent to all the students in who took part in the zone. It’s a great way for the scientists to reflect on the previous two weeks and thank all the students for voting for them. Let’s take a look at what the June Winners had to say… Jonny, Antibiotics Zone I was super nervous in the run up to the the result because I really didn’t think I would win! Originally, I thought it was going to be difficult to juggle my time in the lab and devoting time to answering questions and participating in live chats. With some careful organisation things worked out really well and as soon as the questions started pouring in, I became addicted! I hope you all learned as much as I did! Read more Laura, Catalysis Zone The questions … Continue reading

Posted on July 6, 2016 by modjosh in News, Scientists | Comments Off on June 2016 Winner Blogs