People: Mark Jabbal
- Current role:
- Academic (research)
- Institution:
- University of Manchester
- Discipline:
- Engineering
What motivated you to engage the public with your work?
The UK's North West region is historically renowned for its contribution to the aviation industry. However, more recent efforts in tackling the 'green' issues of aircraft (and related to this, ongoing research at the University in 'green' technologies) have seemingly passed largely unnoticed to the general public. This reinforced my desire to engage the public with my work. I am passionate about my research and being able to communicate what I do within science and engineering to other people. I also enjoy inspiring young people about the exciting possibilities that science and engineering have to offer.
Describe the public engagement work you have done.
I co-delivered a 'green' paper aeroplane activity with a colleague from the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, as part of Manchester Museum's "Big Saturday - Go Green" event. I organised a similar activity for the Manchester Science Festival 2009 ("Green Aeroplane Challenge"). As part of this event, I also showed how engineering is shaping future aircraft design for 'greener' air travel and showcased some of the technologies being developed at the University to improve aircraft efficiency. In my work for Widening Participation at the University of Manchester, I have given science careers talks in schools and represented the University as part of the Big Bang Fair in Manchester. I have recently become an EPSRC NOISEmaker to communicate my research to a wider public audience.
What are your top three tips for other researchers?
1. Enthusiasm for communicating your work is a must
2. Engage with the public by making your work understandable for all ages - avoid jargon!
3. Make your activity enjoyable - the more hands-on, the better
What are your top three resources to support your engagement work?
1. Manchester Beacon
2. STEMNET
3. Widening Participation team (University of Manchester).
What would you say to encourage another researcher to engage with the public?
Sharing your work can bring enjoyment to those you engage with and in return, new ideas and a personal sense of satisfaction.
