25 January 2012
RSE public engagement prize for Dundee academic
Dr Nicola Stanley-Wall, a Lecturer in Molecular Microbiology at the University of Dundee, has been announced as the winner of the Royal Society of Edinburgh's Beltane Innovator's Prize for Public Engagement 2012.
Through these prestigious prizes the RSE and Edinburgh Beltane aim to recognise and promote excellence in public engagement with research and foster a culture in which researchers consider good communication an integral part of their work.
In addition to her own research programme at the University's College of Life Sciences, Dr Stanley-Wall has developed an innovative approach to public engagement. She co-ordinates the hugely popular 'Magnificent Microbes' event at Dundee Science Festival, regularly gives talks to pupils at schools throughout the Dundee area, and helps organise RSE Science Masterclasses at the University.
Dr Stanley-Wall said she was delighted to receive the award and talked about the importance of public engagement for scientists.
'I am very proud and honoured to be awarded the RSE Beltane Innovator Prize for Public Engagement,' she said. 'Organising outreach activities is a very enjoyable part of my work.
'I am always excited to see the creativity my colleagues have when designing fun activities to explain their work and additionally gain a lot of satisfaction when the visitors and school children clearly benefit from the time and effort that has been exerted.'
In 2011, the RSE and Edinburgh Beltane launched the RSE Beltane 'Prizes for Public Engagement with the aim of recognising and rewarding the advancement of high quality public engagement with research. The Innovator's Prize is awarded to a recognised emerging talent, who shows promise as an innovator in the field of public engagement.
Professor Mary Bownes, Vice Principal of the University of Edinburgh and Chair of the selection committee, said 'The task of choosing the winners was once again extremely difficult. The candidates were of extremely high calibre and we could have easily given out several awards. We are delighted with the selection of Dr Stanley-Wall, whose innovative engagement activities in Molecular Microbiology exhibit potential for future developments.'
The prizes, designed and crafted by Edinburgh-based artist Karen Akester, will be presented to the winners at an upcoming public event, details of which will be announced on the RSE website soon.
Notes to editors:
About the Royal Society of Edinburgh
The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE), Scotland's national academy, was founded in 1783 and the Fellowship today includes some of the best intellectual talent in academia, the professions and business. The RSE facilitates public debate, research programmes, educational projects and policy formulation. Its strength is its diversity and impartiality. In fulfilling its Royal Charter for the 'advancement of learning and useful knowledge', the RSE seeks to contribute to the social, cultural and economic wellbeing of Scotland.
About Edinburgh Beltane
The Edinburgh Beltane is one of six UK-wide Beacons for Public Engagement. Led by the University of Edinburgh, it brings together expertise from all of Edinburgh's Higher Education Institutions, the University of Highlands and Islands and a number of other policy, research and professional engagement bodies such as museums, science centres and botanic gardens. Edinburgh Beltane is working towards a culture change in which public engagement becomes a core activity of research work and in which both researchers and the general public feel confident in shaping how new advancements will affect society.
RSE Education Programme
The RSE runs a series of free, educational events for schools and students each year across Scotland. These include science masterclasses, school talks, discussion forums and the annual Christmas Lecture. Additionally, the RSE runs a regional programme of events in an area of Scotland out-with the central belt which is know as the RSE@ Programme. Past programmes include RSE@ Arbroath which took place in 2008 and RSE@ Dumfries and Galloway which took place during 2010/2011. Additionally, the RSE worked with BBC Scotland to webcast the 2011 RSE Christmas Lecture worldwide.
For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
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