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Present your research in Parliament: apply for STEM for Britain 2019

Samantha Mudie presents her poster in Parliament

Early-career and student research scientists, engineers, technologists and mathematicians have until 3 December to apply for STEM for Britain 2019.

Shortlisted entries will be asked to present their posters at an event in the Houses of Parliament on Monday 11 March, as part of British Science Week. Prizes are awarded for the posters in each discipline which best communicate their science to a lay audience, with the best overall poster winning the Westminster Medal.

The competition is open to a wide range of early-career staff, post-docs, and postgraduate students.

The winners are selected across five categories:

  • Biological and Biomedical Science
  • Chemistry
  • Engineering
  • Mathematical Sciences
  • Physics

In previous years, several University of Reading researchers and graduate students have presented posters at the event at Parliament, and found great benefits from doing so.

One such winner, Samantha Mudie, an Engineering Doctoral student, presented a poster on her research into the reduction of energy from commercial catering, at what was then known as ‘SET for Britain’ in 2013.

She said: “I applied because it is a fantastic opportunity to present my own research to a wider audience, and to engage with politicians regarding scientific research in this country. It is also a great chance to talk to other scientists and engineers from the UK and get a wider perspective on cutting edge research from across the country.”

Phil Newton, University of Reading Research Dean for environment, said: “Communicating your work to people outside your field is a critical skill for all researchers, and is becoming more important. This is a wonderful opportunity to test your communication skills and put your research in front of some of the most influential policymakers and scientists in the land.”