The way we understand the universe is influenced by many women both past and present, so during British Science Week we ran a “Women in Astronomy” study day for 57 girls aged 13-16 years, providing them with the opportunity to find out more about women in astronomy and their amazing work. Participants gained insight into how we study the cosmos and they had the opportunity to meet women astronomers working in Oxford. The event aimed to promote women into astronomy and allowed the girls to consider whether a career in astronomy might be for them!
Outreach news
14 March 2019
To mark International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Oxford Physics held its second annual girls-in-STEM event (science, technology, engineering and maths). ‘Marie Curious’ brings together 100 local girls aged 11-14 and 30 scientists for a day of interactive science including hands-on workshops, a panel discussion and a science show about light! You can see more photos from the day here.
20 February 2019
The annual MPLS Impact Awards aim to foster and raise awareness of impact by rewarding it at a local level, and prepare the ground for the impact case studies that will be needed for REF 2021, and future similar exercises. This year’s awards were presented at the MPLS Winter Reception on the 19th February at Mansfield College, with the winners receiving a pay award of £1,000.
Congratulations to Oxford Physicist Dr Sam Henry who won the award for Public Engagement with Research Impact.
15 January 2019
The Royal Astronomical Society has given the Galaxy Zoo team – including the volunteers who have made the project the success it is – their Group Achievement Award for 2019.
Citation for the 2019 RAS Group Achievement Award:
14 December 2018
Members of the public were invited to the Department on Nov. 26, 2018 to join researchers from Oxford Physics, Imperial College, Bristol University, RAL Space and the UK Space Agency, who have worked on the Mars Insight mission, to celebrate its scheduled landing on Mars.
14 December 2018
IF Oxford
The Department was again well represented at the annual Oxfordshire Science Festival, this year re-branded as the IF Oxford, the Oxfordshire Science and Ideas Festival. We spoke to over 1,000 people about our research at events across the city.
29 October 2018
How is physics research being used to change your life? We opened our doors as part of Oxford's science and ideas festival to showcase some of the ways research can become technology, and physics can move from the lab into your life.
15 October 2018
Students taking a break from their undergraduate laboratory experiments will notice two new canvases displayed in the foyer of the Physics Teaching Labs. These colourful canvases are inspired by the themes of space and cosmic rays, and were created in 2017 by students at Ysgol Gynradd Rhoscolin (Rhoscolin Primary School) on Anglesey, Wales working with artist Catrin Williams. Dr Karen Aplin, Head of Physics Teaching Labs 2009-2018, was a co-investigator and scientific advisor to the project.
6 September 2018
Catchy songs are great way to make a message ‘stick’, but can we use song to enthuse young people about science? What if they’re the ones writing the songs?
At three local events this summer, three researchers (Nathan Adams, Dr Neil Bowles, and Dr Donal Hill) teamed up with songwriter, Jonny Berliner, and 537 local residents to create three brand new songs based on current physics research at the University, covering distant galaxies, planetary science and particle physics.
24 July 2018
Overall there were 72 members of the Department who took part or contributed to the activities during the Outreach Development Day on 20th April 2018.
It was an opportunity for researchers who are passionate about sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm for physics outreach to share best practice with others in the Department.
The day began with a ‘Storytelling skills for scientists’ training session by Robert Holtom. At lunchtime there was a hands-on showcase of activities and demonstrations from a number of departmental outreach initiatives, including:
