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What motivated you to engage the public with your work?

Very selfishly, I started public engagement with school children to gain insight into teaching as a possible career change, due to the insecurity associated with research roles.   However, I have found that public engagement is very rewarding and it has helped reinvigorate my enthusiasm for research.  I enjoy explaining the aims and benefits of my research and inspiring an interest in science.  It has helped reaffirm the basics required for research and one gains a tremendous degree of clarity whilst explaining research in lay person's terms.

Describe the public engagement activity you have done.

I participated in the Beacons Researchers in School program, organising several activities with a local comprehensive school.  I visited the school to talk to Year10 and Year12+13, providing an overview of "genes and cancer". I ran a day's practical workshop in Cardiff School of Biosciences for Year12 pupils, providing "hands on" experience of research techniques and exploring the "genotype / phenotype" correlation with a cancer theme, followed by an evaluation session in school for the same pupils.  I also ran a practical lesson within the school for Year13 children exploring what mutates DNA.  Independent to this program of public engagement I have visited a primary school and organised a practical session exploring "cells and DNA" for year 6 pupils.

What are your top three tips for other researchers?

1. Talk to others who have done it. Don't be afraid to pinch and modify good ideas to suit your own needs.

2. Do not be intimidated or scared at the prospect of talking to lots of school children.  They are generally very keen to learn from you.

3. Think Simple. Think Basic.  Help others to see why and how your work is important to general Joe Bloggs.

What are your top resources to support your engagement work?

In terms of sources of funding...

1. beacons for public engagement

2. widening access scheme 

3. hands on science summer school (RCUK/HEFCU).

In terms of items used to engage children...

1. Balloons

2. Microscopes and sections of slides

3. 2 pairs of jeans (my children's) one intact the other with holes in the knees

What would you say to encourage another researcher to engage with the public?

It doesn't have to take a lot of your time, there is loads of support available and it's very rewarding and fun. Just go and have a go.