Guess what's back, back again...
That's right, The ever-popular Little Event is returning in January, jam-packed with everything needed for people starting out in the world of Public Engagement. It's a Sci-Comm toolkit you never knew you needed.
Our online training sessions, curated and delivered by members of BIG (some of which started their BIG/SciComm journey at The Little Event!) is a great way to start the new year.
And if that wasn't enough good news, we're also offering bursary places again - so if you are within the first 5 years of your career, get that application in now!
Prices start at £50 for Members.
Book here: www.big.uk.com/event-5935416
Bursaries here: www.big.uk.com/event-5935429
THE COUNTDOWN TO CARDIFF IS ON!
Book 1, 2 or all 3 days of the conference or join us online with our hybrid ticket option.
1. This is not a conference where your days are pre-determined
The first thing you might notice about BIG is that there are roughly a hundred different things happening at once (I’m pretty sure this is factually accurate…). With 4 or 5 different sessions happening in each slot, everything can seem a bit overwhelming when you walk in on day one. My advice would be to have a look at the programme before you get there, and see what you might be interested in for each slot. I don’t think there's a right or wrong way to choose, but it’s useful to remember that you won’t be able to attend everything! I also find that, if you do miss a session you were interested in, people that did attend it will always be happy to share what they learnt!
2. This is not a conference where your mind switches off for 3 days
I know a conference does feel like a nice way to get some days off work (or away from uni in my case), but I can tell you for a fact that you will not leave this conference well rested as if you’ve been on holiday! Everyone I spoke to on Friday was still incredibly smiley, but we all agreed that we were exhausted. Between all the sessions, plenty of coffee and biscuits, the conference meal and everything else happening across the three days, you’ll be kept very busy (so maybe make sure you have very little to do that weekend…)
3. This is not a conference where you’ll be on your own if you don’t know people
I know saying ‘Don’t worry if you don’t know anyone at the conference’ is far easier said than done, but I promise it is true. It was something I was really apprehensive about before I arrived on the Wednesday. The very first session of the conference was enough to quash these worries – the BIG mingle introduced me to a lot of people very quickly. (I am going to qualify this by saying this might not be for everyone, and if it isn’t there’s still plenty of time to meet people in a calmer way!) In the mingle, you have about a minute to introduce yourself, your work and why you’re at the conference, in a group of maybe 4 or 5, and do that 5 or 6 times to try and meet lots of people super quickly. This helped me to find some friends who I spent the rest of the conference with, but also find some people whose research was similar to mine, or whose careers I was really interested to learn more about! My advice, if meeting people is something you’re anxious about, is to work on your quick elevator pitch, so that you don’t panic when you introduce yourself throughout the weekend.
4. This is not a conference where everyone’s coming from the same background, or even the same careers
This is particularly advice for anyone like me, who’s going into the conference as an early career (or for me, yet to begin career) science communicator. You’ll find that there’s an incredible number of people who have come from around a million different backgrounds, doing all sorts of different careers, who all meet at BIG. I think that’s what makes the conference so incredible! But it also definitely can make things feel a bit overwhelming if you’re trying to work your way into the sector. It’s important to remember that while some people have been explainers, some people have done PhDs, some people did teacher training, there is no one path to making it into science communication. Learning what other people have done can give you inspiration for your next steps, but don’t let it make you feel like you haven’t done the right things!
5. This is not a conference where people take things too seriously
I think this is the best news for any new attendees of the conference – this is absolutely not a suit or heels kind of conference (unless that’s how you feel most confident, then I guess go for it!). For most of us though, jeans, shorts, sneakers –whatever floats your boat. But this relaxed atmosphere is also present in so many areas of the conference, from the card of shame for losing your name tag, to the incredibly supportive atmosphere at the Best Demo competition, this is perhaps the most friendly conference you’ll attend (I don’t think I went more than 15 minutes without bursting into laughter the whole conference long). That also means if you ever need a bit of a break, if you want to sit out a session or need to duck out for any reason, everyone is incredibly understanding and it’s not something you need to be worried about!
I hope these 5 tips give you a taste of what the conference might be like, but the headlines are it's an incredible conference where you’ll learn so much, and you’ll meet so many amazing people! The whole BIG team are there to help make you comfortable, so you’ll have a great time. Enjoy it!
Amelia Doran is the Communications and Public Engagement Coordinator for Planetary Health Informatics, a research lab at the University of Oxford. You can follow her on X, Bluesky and Instagram @scicommelia or connect with her on LinkedIn
Look out for Amelia in Cardiff and if it's your first conference this year, or you're also new to your Scicomm career, she will be more than happy to chat!
Congratulations to Chenying Liu!
We are very pleased to announce that the winner of the Josh Award 2024 is Chenying Liu.
Chenying is a postdoctoral researcher at Oxford University, working in engineering science.
She has worked on modern structures inspired by origami and uses inspiration from their exceptional mechanical properties to design robots and personal protective equipment.
Her Josh award activity -"Sustainable Origami: Art, Robotics, Construction, and Space Exploration” will get audiences creating origami crafts, robotic grippers, deployable shelters and solar panels, using recycled materials.
The judges were impressed by the combination of an accessible activity with contemporary science and engineering.
A huge well done to our deserving winner!
Clare Harvey, Chief Executive, The Ogden Trust:
“Early-career science communicators have such an important role to play in inspiring future generations as they share their enthusiasm, passion and expertise. The Josh Award provides a fabulous platform for nurturing this emerging talent, and we are excited to be one of the funders for 2024. Huge congratulations to this year’s winner, Chenying - we look forward to seeing their future work and feel sure they will continue to make a real difference to the sector.”
Chenying makes origami in the Special Structures Group in Jenkin Building, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford. This later forms part of her video with Oxford Sparks - a platform to enhance the University's digital science engagement.
A note from Chenying
My work and the Josh Award
Having practiced origami since childhood, I never dreamed that the paper folding art could be transformed into practical applications and benefit society in different domains.
After finishing my undergraduate studies in Beijing, China, I relocated to the UK to pursue a D.Phil (Doctor of Philosophy, known as Ph.D. elsewhere) in Engineering Science at the University of Oxford. I was fortunate to have two supervisors with complementary expertise: one introduced me to the fascinating world of origami engineering and the other encouraged me to explore its potential in advanced robotics. I ended up with a few exciting projects using origami principles: a gripper that can precisely handle fragile objects, a millipede-like robot that can change its morphology to adapt to the environment, and numerous structures that can morph into given shapes. With origami, the design of those robots has been greatly simplified and it has been much easier and more cost-efficient to synchronise their movements.
Origami also goes beyond robotics and has found its way into other domains such as deployable solar panels and energy absorption materials, the latter of which forms part of my postdoctoral project. I am very keen to impart my passion for origami engineering to the general public via science communication. Having been involved in a series of University's public engagement initiatives and external science festivals, I was awarded an Award Lectureship from the British Science Association and will soon give a talk on my research at the 2024 British Science Festival (BSF)!
Then, how is this related to the Josh Award? It is indeed a tremendous opportunity (both funding and training-wise) for me to further develop my talk into a series of interactive workshops for a wider range of audiences at the BSF and other Science Discovery Centre's programmes. I really hope this project could make science more accessible to the harder-to-reach communities, thereby providing them with fun and informative hands-on experience in engineering.
You can follow Chenying on X @MorningChenying or connect on LinkedIn
Chenying and her peers at the 2022 International Women in Engineering Day, where they contributed to a series of outreach talks to A-level students who are self-identified as female or non-binary and interested in pursuing an engineering degree.
This photo was taken on 23rd June 2022 in Thom Building, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford. Left to right: Nadja Yang, Maitha Al Shimmari, Chenying Liu, Misha Patel, Frances Gawne
What is the Josh Award?
The Josh Award is a national prize for early-career science communicators who are passionate about continuing to work in this field in the future, including students, volunteers, researchers or creatives.
The Award is inspired by and named in memory of Josh Phillips, who was the first Science Communication Officer at the Manchester Science and Industry Museum. He proposed and ran the first Manchester Science Festival.
Josh was a much loved, much respected and highly talented science communicator, whose outstanding career is commemorated with this Award. Josh was the Chair of BIG at the time of his death.
The Award is for Science and Showmanship, targeted to help stimulate and lead to a better future: fun with a purpose!
The Josh Award Trophy
What is the prize?
The Josh Award Winner will receive:
£500 to £2,500 depending on funds availability and need, to develop their project or event to be part of a Science Discovery Centre's programme, or at a UK Science Festival. This budget includes all the costs and expenses (i.e. resources, travel, accommodation) for the project, and will be controlled by the sponsoring location and by the Josh Award Committee
The possibility of presenting your project or event at this year's British Science Festival, in East London, and the possibility of presenting it at the 2025 Cheltenham Science Festival.
Non-financial support from the sponsoring venue to further develop your winning proposal, as necessary, to fit logistics and practicalities of working in their setting
Opportunities for personal and professional development via the BIG network
Attending the annual BIG Event (conference fee and annual membership provided by BIG, worth around £300) to network with and present to a diverse range of science communicators from across the sector
The 2024 BIG Event will take place on 24-26 July in Cardiff
Attending professional training sessions with the Science Museum Group's Academy
A personal prize cheque of £2,000 from the Josh Award Fund
The Josh Award trophy, to hold and to hand on to the next winner, at the 2026 BIG Event
Thus, the total prize fund can be up to £4,800 + invaluable support from sci-comm professionals.
The winner is expected to:
Congratulations to all of our applicants
This year saw a large number of very impressive candidates for the Josh Award. Activities ranged from apps, animations and art installations to workshops and shows from a passionate group of applicants with diverse backgrounds. We wish them all well in their science communication careers and will be sharing more about their ideas and proposals on the BIG website very soon.
Guilia Ponti, William Marler, Chloe Trotter, Emma Latta, Max Hughes,
Amelia Doran, Gareth Campbell, Lee Parkin, Abi Fafolu and Danbee Kim.
We would love to see you all as speakers at a future BIG Event!
Thank you to our panel
James Piercy, Former Chair of BIG and Judging Panel Chair
Kirsty Hayward, Chair, BIG
Shaaron Leverment, CEO ADSC
James Brown, Chair, UKSFN
Mat Allen, Programme Manager, Cheltenham Science Festival
Eva Ernstzen, 2022 Josh Award Winner
Thank you also to Timothy Phillips, Family Representative and Steering Committee Chairman.
This message was sent to you by BIG - Stem Communicators N
Booking is now open for The BIG Event 2024!
Join us for just a day or two, the full conference, or online for our hybrid sessions.
Taking place at Cardiff University from 24th - 26th July, come along to one of the best UK Scicomm events in the calendar.
You can view this year's fantastic programme here - it's shaping up to be one of the best thanks to so many of our members contributing such creative session ideas.
As well as our wonderfully curated programme, there are the usual favourites - ISTATOY, Best Demo Competition and the informal Thursday night dinner, which this year takes place at Techniquest.
All booking options and registration details can be found here
We look forward to welcoming you to Cardiff!
Team BIG
From the BIG event to the RI: How informal conversations created collaboration.
Dan Plane (Royal institution), Robin Hayward (University of Leeds), Martin Khechara (University of Wolverhampton)
The Royal Institution (Ri) has been a place for scientists, science communicators, and the public to come together since 1799. Through our series’ of talks and events we aim to engage people of all ages. Famously our Christmas Lectures, which have been running since 1825, target a young audience, but we don’t restrict ourselves to that one time of year to work with children and families.
Three times a year we run a Family Fun Day (FFD). While our building is normally open to the public, and the museum can be explored, FFD adds to the offer by filling the building with things to see and do. Like a mini festival, there are make & takes, demonstrations, games and challenges, but of course, the centre piece of the building, our world-famous Lecture Theatre is filled with smiling faces as we present shows and talks suitable for the families. Our hope is that we will start some of the youngest visitors on their lifelong journey with science with these informative, exciting, and inspiring talks. Sometimes we present our own shows at FFD, but we like to mix it up and get interesting and varied people to inform, excite and inspire our families! This means we’re always on the look out for potential speakers and performers. And at BIG in 2023 I had the great fortune to meet all sorts of potential collaborators.
Dan Plane
Thoughts from Robin:
I am the communication and engagement officer for all things tree research at the University of Leeds. It’s an amazing role that I’ve enjoyed now for two years – since finishing my own PhD, back when all this was just enthusiastic procrastination. With only a couple of years chatting science professionally outside of academia, I’m a relative newbie in the world of scicomm and BIG has been an amazing opportunity, both to meet people and to learn things I would never have considered for myself.
I attended my first BIG Event in 2022 and, pretty much as soon as I got back to work, I told my manager that we should be making annual attendance a priority in our conference calendar. Returning to the BIG Event in 2023, I had a much better idea of what to expect when I arrived and was even co-running a session, compiling tips from across the breadth of scicomm. Following a first attempt in 2022, I was also determined to take part in the BIG Demo Competition, and this became the foundation of the show I ended up creating with the Ri.
My job didn’t really include science shows in 2023. I did a few tabletop interactive demos at science fairs and lots of PowerPoint presentations, but BIG was really the only time I got to stand on stage and do a demo for a crowd. It was a great excuse to try something out and play with ideas of bringing science to life. Something I hadn’t considered was that it might also be something that Dan would see from the audience and invite me to come and present at the Ri! I was thrilled to be invited and to receive expert advice and logistical support as we developed a show all about seed dispersal. One of the big barriers to presenting demos at work has always been the investment in getting it off the ground but the Ri was able to supply the kit and the expertise to make it run smoothly. Now that I’ve done it once though, I can do it again, and because we know it works, it’s worth the investment to buy our own kit and bring this science into schools for 2024. A massive thanks to the Ri and to BIG for making it all happen!
Thoughts from Martin:
I am an associate professor for engagement in STEM, manager and creative director of the STEM Response Team at the University of Wolverhampton, a scicommer for 12 years and a member of BIG since 2018.
When I saw that the BIG event was coming to Birmingham in 2023 we didn’t even have to think about it. Session proposals were in and accepted and the team was going on tour! Our first workshop session at the conference was about using theatre practice for STEM engagement. I was humbled and nervous when so many of the people I respect for using performance in their scicomm turned up to take part. This included the demo team from the Royal Institution (Ri). We obviously made an impression with our costumes, slime and explosions as Dan Plane (Head of Demonstrations for the Ri) came to chat to me later about working together on workshops for the BIG event 2024. Since then, a brilliant collaboration has grown. Only a week or so later we were invited as a team to feature at the October Surprising Science Family Fun Day at the Ri in London. Now to me, the Ri is like a cathedral of scicomm and to go there, stand in their Theatre and speak to an audience has been a lifelong ambition. The time I spent at and the people I met at the BIG event, made it all happen. Without being there and contributing I wouldn’t have been able to have one of the proudest moments in my career so far. I just can’t thank everyone enough who made it possible.
Thoughts from Dan:
I am Head of Public and Family Programmes at the Ri, which includes heading up the Demonstration Team here. While relatively new in this role, I have worked in scicomm since 2007, in science centres, outreach programmes, and as a freelancer. Part of my new role is to be on the lookout for interesting people to invite to the Ri and engage with our audiences.
I saw Robin’s demo in the Best Demo Competition and as well as loving the clear, simple, and accessible explanation of the demo itself, what I really enjoyed was Robin’s presentation of it, and their clear passion for the topic across the whole event. I still have my Tree Identification Pen! I invited Robin to talk about seed dispersal at FFD and we worked together to put some demonstrations together to make the most of our space, which included dropping 100 paper whirlybirds from our 10m ceiling, and the seemingly ever-present barrel of balls explosion. I hope they don’t mind me saying, but seeds is a pretty niche subject, but Robin’s aforementioned passion, paired with the surprising and visual demonstrations had the audience, young and old alike, buzzing about a topic many of them may not have given much thought to. Perfection!
Martin and Heather’s BIG session about theatre showed off their skills as engaging presenters and I could easily picture them in front of our family audience. The session also included a section about accidents, which inspired me to suggest a joint workshop at the next conference, hopefully more coming on that. For FFD we provided the STEM Response Team with a few materials, the odd bit of liquid nitrogen or hydrogen, all the normal stuff. They brought their experience, skill, and A-game to present a dynamic show with explosions, silliness, and a lot of laughs that got our audience pumped up for a day of science!
I was really flattered how excited both Robin and Martin were about presenting in our Theatre. I hope that they felt it was welcoming and open, as we strive to be just that for everyone.
I think this type of collaboration is win/win. The Ri gets great content and new speakers in our theatre, while outreach programmes based in Leeds and Wolverhampton get to expand their reach to a London audience. And on top of that, said audience get a great experience, so actually win/win/win!
Some final thoughts:
As scicommers we all work in our own world. We have our own thing going on, our own local group of scicomm friends we do things with and our own programmes of engagement to manage. We change people’s lives that’s what we do but sometimes to do something truly amazing we all need to work together. This gives us chance to cross boundaries between subject area and practice to work in a truly interdisciplinary way. To exist in what could be called a ‘third space’ where these kinds of collaborations happen is fundamentally empowering for all those involved. However, collaboration takes friendship and trust between those that take part. It is clear that the BIG Event and the relationships that have developed have created just that. From a few conversations over dinner, true and fruitful interventions are developing and more importantly three more scicommers know two more people they can trust and rely on. Thanks BIG Event team, we’ll see you in Cardiff!
We are now delighted to be welcoming bursary applications for this year's BIG Event, which takes place at Cardiff University from 24th-26th July.
For full details and to apply, head over to our Bursaries page
BIG offers a handful of bursary places which will:
Applicants must
Following attendance of the BIG Event, you will need to submit an article (approx. 400 words) for BIG’s e-newsletter about your conference attendance or a related topic which would be of use and interest to the BIG community. Expenses will be issued following receipt of this article. If writing an article isn't your thing, we are also happy to accept photos of the event; blog posts; vlogs of your experience; or other creative content you can produce. Let's discuss event@big.uk.com
We also hope you will be willing to give a hand at the conference where required; this gives you a great opportunity to create links with other delegates.
Book your place now for The BIG Event 2024, taking place at Cardiff University from 24th-26th July.
For full details, visit www.big.uk.com/BIG2024
Early bird booking is open from Monday 1st April until 20th May, so don't delay! This is the very best time to book if you are attending the full 3 day conference. Payment can be made by card or you can request an invoice.
Full price conference booking, individual day booking and hybrid booking all open on May 21st.
You can view the current draft programme here: http://bigevent.info/
The final programme will be announced very soon.
THE BEETLESTONE AWARD
For leadership and legacy in Communicating Science
Apply now for the 2024 Beetlestone Award
Beetlestone Award
Professor John Beetlestone was one of the pioneers of ‘informal learning in science’ of the 20th century. Are you, or someone you know, a leader in this field?
Since first starting in 2018, this Award is to recognise a leader who has already made or is clearly creating a significant impact in communicating science
The Prize
UK-wide recognition amongst your peers in the ISL field.
The ingenious Beetlestone Award trophy, to keep.
A personal award of £500
Access to a bursary of up to £500 to facilitate dissemination (see below)
Your conference fee paid to this year's BIG Event, a 3-day conference to network with and present to a diverse range of STEM engagement professionals from across the sector.
If you decide to nominate someone, you only have to complete a very short online form here https://forms.office.com/e/FF5cy2mKhN. References are not required.
How to Apply
Applications can be accepted in person, or through nomination by a third party. In either case the nominee will be asked to complete a written application.
Nominations are limited to leaders working in the UK who are still in post; the Award is not offered to retirees.
Detailed guidance notes are available within the Application Process here Beetlestone Application & Guidance Notes
How to Nominate
If you decide to nominate someone, you only have to complete a very short online form here https://forms.office.com/e/FF5cy2mKhN References are not required.
The closing date for completed applications for this year’s Award is Friday 10th May, so don’t delay!
The Selection Panel will not enter into correspondence with applicants. Submitting an application constitutes an acceptance that the Panel’s decision is final.
Awardee Responsibilities, if a bursary is claimed
To present – through a creative contribution to a conference, workshop or online resource – a description of the work for which the Award has been made, explaining its relevance and application to the wider field of ISL.
To share this information with the field, duly recognising the Beetlestone Award, in a relevant publication – whether in print or online.
The above presentation to take place within 12 months of the announcement of the Award, and the publication to appear no later than a further 12 months thereafter.
Selection Panel
The Selection Panel will include the Awardee(s) from the previous year, representatives from the Organising Committee and BIG, and Leonardo Alfonsi from PsiQuadro, Perugia, Italy. It will be chaired this year by Harry White.
Organising Committee
Colin Johnson OBE - (Chair) Director, Techniquest, 1997-2004
Ian Hall -Treasurer
Wendy Sadler MBE, Director, science made simple
Debbie Syrop, Public Engagement Officer, School of Engineering, Cardiff University
Harry White, Science Centre Consultant, HW Consult
Previous winners of
The Beetlestone Award
Our previous Beetlestone Award winners, from L-R, Top to Bottom, Bridget Holligan, Fran Balkwill, Helen Featherstone, Ian Russell, Karen Davies, Lewis Hou, Stephen Pizzey.
Find out more about previous winners of the prestigious Beetlestone Award here.
Professor John Beetlestone
Professor John Beetlestone (1932-2017) was the founding director of the UK’s first purpose-built science discovery centre, Techniquest in Cardiff. The centre was his idea, and he led it through three phases of development until his retirement in 1997.
In partnership with BIG, a small group of John Beetlestone’s former colleagues set up this Award scheme in his name in 2018. This Award has been made possible through the generosity of the Beetlestone family and other private donors.
Applications for the 2024 Josh Award open on 24th February
The Josh Award
Opportunities for personal and professional development via the BiG network
The Josh Award trophy, to hold and to hand on to the next winner, at the 2026 BiG Event
Thus, the total prize fund can be up to £4,800 + invaluable support from sci-comm professionals
Who is it for?
Practitioners in the early stages of their career, to enhance how they engage people with STEAM.
We welcome applicants who will bring a valuable difference to our sector, either through the audiences they work with or via their own leading edge creative practice, or both! So, you may be a:-
full-time, part-time or volunteer science communicator, with a passion to grow your practice
We welcome applications from both individuals and groups, and accept initial nominations.
The Award is open to anyone involved in STEAM communication in the UK and is a UK resident.
What is the purpose of the Award?
To recognise and nurture emerging talent within contemporary STEAM communication and engagement, prioritising innovation and creative practice, so as to foster involvement in and a deeper understanding of science**, across many community sectors, including the harder to reach ones.
What are the objectives of the Award?
To strengthen and evolve the innovative and creative practice of STEAM communication
To support the development of an innovative project or event for Science Discovery Centres or at Science Festivals, or both.
To develop the winner’s professional network, via partnership opportunities and skills training
To enhance the winner’s experience and strengthen their sci-comm leadership vision through involvement in a large-scale Science Festival or with a Science Discovery Centre.
Some previous winners of The Josh Award. Top L-R Judith Beard, Frederike Gerstner, Ben Nicholson, Helen Featherstone Bottom L-R Jon Chase, Carole Keating
Read all about the previous winners at the link below
How do I apply?
You can apply at the link below or via www.big.uk.com/josh
We welcome applications from 24th February to 8th April 2024.
The winner is chosen by the Judging Panel, made up of: The Association for Science Discovery Centres, the UK Science Festivals Network, the BIG STEM Communicators Network, the Josh Award Foundation, and the previous Winner, by judging the applicant's potential and the potential of their proposed activity.
Good luck!
The Josh Award is sponsored by the Association for Science Discovery Centres (ASDC), the UK Science Festivals Network, (UKSFN), and by the BIG STEM Communicators Network (BIG).
The Josh Award returns for 2024 and applications are welcomed from February 24th.
We welcome applicants who will bring a valuable difference to our sector, either through the audiences they work with or via their own leading edge creative practice, or both!
£500 to £2,500 depending on funds availability and need, to develop their project or event to be part of a Science Discovery Centre's programme, or at a UK Science Festival.
A place at the annual BIG Event in Cardiff
Professional training sessions with the Science Museum Group's Academy
The Josh Award trophy
Visit www.big.uk.com/josh for full details and for how to apply
Jon Chase, winner of the Josh Award in 2017, being presented with the award by Carole Keating
Ben and Fred (Juggling Science), winners of the Josh Award in 2019, being presented with the award by Helen Featherstone
Josh Phillips, who the Award is named after
Contact BIG: admin@big.uk.com
