the-BA : National Science Week 2006

Which of these words do you wish applied to your job: creative, challenging, exciting, unusual or stimulating? If the answer is all five, then a career in science or the social sciences could be what you are looking for – and National Science Week (10-19 March 2006) could be just the time for you to explore the options available to you.

‘My urge to be a marine biologist probably began as a toddler on bucket-and-spade trips to the beach,’ says Dr Jason Hall-Spencer, a marine biologist at the University of Plymouth. ‘Childhood explorations for crabs under boulders were followed by fishing trips but what really sealed my choice of career was learning to SCUBA dive in my teens. I was instantly hooked on the beauty and diversity of marine life around my home town of Plymouth.

‘Even today the more I learn about marine science, the more interesting it becomes, and in my job no two days are the same. There are ample opportunities for travel, experimentation and adventure coupled with the realisation that we still only know a tiny fraction of what remains to be discovered. What spurs me on at present is that I am now able to have a positive influence on international policies to do with the sensible use and protection of ocean resources.’

For Dr Sarah Dunkin, a space scientist at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxford, it was the allure of space which drew her towards science.

‘When I was young, I used to love looking at the stars in the night sky and dreamt of one day going into space to explore the universe,’ says Dr Dunkin. ‘It was my dream to become involved in space science and all of my career choices were based around achieving that aim. I've been very fortunate to achieve that goal, not by being an astronaut myself, but through studying data and images being returned by spacecraft that do the exploring for us.

‘Working in science is far more diverse than I ever thought, and it is difficult to imagine ever being bored in this job. My own career is continually evolving, and it is this that maintains my appetite for the kind of work that I do.’

Emily Finch, a criminologist at the Norwich Law School, had intended to become a barrister when she began her studies. ‘During my studies, I became fascinated with the relationship between law and society,’ she says. ‘My PhD looked at the way in which social problems are constructed and become the subject of legislative intervention. It also looked at whether the law is effective in resolving complex emotional disputes between individuals.’

Since then, Emily’s research has focused on the way in which society interacts with the law, including the way that juries are influenced in rape trials as well as recent work on credit card fraud and identity theft.

‘As my career has developed, I have become increasingly interested in a range of social science disciplines that explore the way in which people respond to the law, such as sociology, psychology and anthropology. I feel fortunate in being able to work in an area which fascinates me and provides great motivation.’

Jason, Sarah and Emily have all been recipients of BA Award Lectures, presented by the BA in recognition for their outstanding communication skills.

‘I hope that National Science Week will encourage more young people to consider studying study the sciences, including social sciences such as economics and sociology, and engineering,’ says Frances Cairncross, President of the BA, which coordinates National Science Week. ‘These are not easy subjects, but they are deeply rewarding and always interesting. They have a great contribution to make to our understanding of our planet. They lead to careers that can offer extensive travel and the chance to work with very interesting people.’

National Science Week 2006, which this year incorporates ESRC Social Science Week, will take place between 10-19 March. Over 500,000 people are expected to take part in 1,500 events throughout the UK. In addition, the BA and the ESRC will be inviting the public to "Click for the Climate" and pledge to make a small step towards combating climate change. For more information about National Science Week and Social Sciences Week 2006, including free activity packs and an online programme, click here.

National Science Week is coordinated by the BA and is funded by the Department of Trade & Industry and sponsored by BP and the Economic & Social Research Council.

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Craig Brierley, Press Officer, the BA
Tel: 020 7019 4947
Email: craig.brierley@the-ba.net

Note for editors

1. The BA Press Office has a database of science role models who can be interviewed about their career in science, including Dr Hall-Spencer, Dr Dunkin and Dr Finch. To find a role model in your area or for a particular subject, please contact the BA Press Office.

2. The BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) is the UK's nationwide, open membership organisation dedicated to connecting science with people, so that science and its applications become accessible to all. The BA aims to promote openness about science in society and to engage and inspire people directly with science and technology and their implications. Established in 1831, the BA organises major initiatives across the UK, including the annual BA Festival of Science, National Science Week, programmes of regional and local events, and an extensive programme for young people in schools and colleges. For more information about the BA, please visit www.the-ba.net.

3. The ESRC is the UK's largest funding agency for research and postgraduate training relating to social and economic issues. It provides independent, high-quality, relevant research to business, the public sector and Government. The ESRC invests more than £123million every year in social science and at any time is supporting some 2,000 researchers in academic institutions and research policy institutes. It also funds postgraduate training within the social sciences to nurture the researchers of tomorrow. More at http://www.esrc.ac.uk

4. About National Science Week

National Science Week is coordinated by the BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science).
National Science Week is funded by the Government through the Department of Trade and Industry and the Office of Science and Technology.
During the week, events are organised throughout the UK by a large and varied range of organisations and individuals including hospitals, schools, industry and museums. Venues range from shopping centres to pubs and churches.
National Science Week is aimed at everyone from children and adults to decision-makers and investors and is intended to:
engage and inspire people of all ages with science and technology and their implications
promote discussion and understanding of what science, engineering and technology can and cannot achieve
promote knowledge of the scientific method, i.e. how scientists go about their work and reach their conclusions
promote science, engineering and technology studies beyond the age of 16 and science, engineering and technology as career options.
An essential feature of National Science Week is the way it takes science to the public rather than waiting for the public to find science. The week has drawn many scientists into the public domain to discuss their work with interested audiences.

2005 Vital Statistics

over 1,500 events from hands-on activities to discussions, tours and online activities
over 500,000 participants at events
high level of public awareness
A searchable database of events during National Science Week is available here.

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