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What motivated you to engage the public with your work?

I think it's extremely important that scientists take responsibility for engaging with the public.  We are funded by taxpayers, and should aim to give back as much as we can where possible, whether it is via talks/events or working with the media.  Science is all about discovery and the general public has a huge affection for science and interest in the big questions we are all trying to answer.

Describe the public engagement activity you have done.

I am part of WISE in Wales, which collaborates with industrial and academic partners to encourage UK girls to pursue STEM or construction related careers (including their Role Model series, the Science Superstars and Discover Club for girls). I work with Las Cumbres Observatory to encourage teachers and students to engage in research-based science education using research class telescopes. I have helped to develop activities to aid teachers (both nationwide and European) teach astronomy in the classroom. I have given a number of talks/activities to secondary and primary schools and ran a weekly astronomy club as well as presenting to astronomical societies in the UK.  I have been lucky enough to have research feature on TV/radio (BBC Wales, ITV, Radio 4) and be involved with the charity Sense About Science, writing dossiers for young scientists on how to work positively with the media and demystifying detox.  Closely related to my research, I'm part of the Herschel Outreach Group which aims to promote awareness of the Herschel telescope (run by ESA and also STFC funded) including administrating the Herschel facebook page, sending news items to over 900 fans.

What are your top three tips for other researchers?

1. Science is fantastically exciting so let your enthusiasm show.  This is often more powerful at producing successful engagement projects than what activity/research you have chosen.

2.  Think carefully about what it is you want to get across, what would you be happy with them walking away knowing

3. Don't talk down to the public whatever their age and background, their insights and questions are always excellent.  However, don't frighten them with long technical words and acronyms

What are your top three resources to support your engagement work?

1. The Impact Calculator resource to use in classrooms  when stuck for things to do (http://simulator.down2earth.eu/index.html)

2. Website for up-to-date news and great images on the Herschel Space Telescope (http://www.esa.int/herschel)

3. Free educational resources for classrooms (also excellent for museum/science centre events by Las Cumbres Observatory (http://lcogt.net/en/education)