STEM for Britain

Newcastle University scientists take their research to Parliament

Posters by Dr Kezia Sasitharan (Chemistry catagory), Sarah Dickson and Thomas Reed (Biosciences catagory) were judged against dozens of other scientists’ research in the only national competition of its kind on Monday 6 March.

Sarah presented her research into innovative monitoring of dolphins and porpoise at offshore renewable energy developments using a novel underwater acoustic system. Thomas showcased his work around the development of a biological carbon capture system using Escherichia coli. Kezia's poster was on research about Coordination polymer nanowires for high performing hybrid solar cells.

The researchers from the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences were shortlisted from hundreds of applicants to appear in Parliament.

This was a brilliant opportunity for discussion with MP's and policymakers to showcase their fantastic research. Judged by leading academics, each winner received a cash prize with a medal for the gold recipient.

The Parliamentary and Scientific Committee runs the event in collaboration with the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Institute of Physics, the Royal Society of Biology, The Physiological Society, the Nutrition Society and the Council for the Mathematical Sciences, with sponsorship from Dyson Ltd, Clay Mathematics Institute, United Kingdom Research and Innovation, Warwick Manufacturing Group, AWE, British In Vitro Diagnostics Association, the Society of Chemical Industry, Institute of Biomedical Science, the Heilbronn Institute for Mathematical Research, and the Biochemical Society.

Sarah Dickinson took away a bronze award for her academic poster 'NanoPAM: Innovative Monitoring of Dolphins and Porpoises at Offshore Renewables Sites'. Congratulations to all three finalists!