People: Alexander Klein
- Current role:
- Academic (research)
- Institution:
- University of Cardiff
- Discipline:
- Life sciences and health
What motivated you to engage the public with your work?
I feel that the language we scientists use needs to be translated to a mode of communication that the general public can understand. I also want to give something back to society as some of our discourse might seem so minute that the bigger picture is obscured and needs clear and articulate explanation. Engaging with the public revises my own research aspirations as sometimes the simple questions are the most complex to explain. Therefore, public outreach is greatly beneficial to my own development. Furthermore, I thoroughly enjoy talking to people and patients helping them to understand the fascinating world of brain research.
Describe the public engagement activity you have done.
Various open days (presenting research) in Germany, Canada and the UK. Teaching high school children during the Brain Awareness Week in Southern Alberta (topic: amazing brain facts and drug addiction). Various talks to patients' organizations.
Member of the organising committees of the Brain Awareness Weeks in Canada and the UK.
