Introducing... Katy Petherick
As Sussex prepares to host a series of information sessions about the new Life Sciences building, we speak to Katy Petherick, the University's Life Sciences Public Engagement Coordinator.
What is public engagement?
Public engagement is about breaking down the barriers between scientists and the general public, and showing how academic research is relevant to the whole community.
As the Public Engagement Co-ordinator for the School of Life Sciences, my job is to reach out to people who might not otherwise have heard about the work we’re doing at Sussex. That could be anyone from school children to pensioners, teachers to business people.
The best public engagement events are an opportunity to present our research, but also a chance to hear from the public – what questions do they have about our research, and what fresh ideas might they bring to the table?
What are some of the projects you’ve worked on recently?
I’ve worked with charities such as Cancer Research UK to arrange for volunteers and charity fundraisers to meet Life Sciences researchers and visit our labs.
Our visitors are always really excited to be given a tour of a working laboratory, and it’s a nice way of giving back to people who have given their time and money to charity.
A recent highlight was our event during Alzheimer’s Awareness Week this year, where people who were interested in dementia could meet some of our scientists and learn about the science behind the disease – with the help of some interactive models!
What are you excited about for the future?
In the future, I’d like to do more to reach out to the people who are disengaged with science. Some people - adults in particular - may be less receptive to learning about our research because they may not have enjoyed subjects like biology and chemistry at school.
Children are generally more likely to show an interest in science, but we still have to work with them to counter the image of the ‘mad scientist’ who wears thick glasses, has frizzy hair – and is usually male.
One of the things I’m excited about is providing some hands-on science at Brighton’s Open Market as part of the University’s efforts to raise awareness of plans for a new Life Sciences building on campus.
This area of the city has a really diverse community so it’s a good place for us to be setting out our stall – we’ll be there on 11-12 November from 12 noon to 3pm, and University of Sussex staff and students are welcome to attend.
I’m also looking forward to next year when the British Science Festival will come to Brighton, hosted by the Universities of Sussex and Brighton. This will be a great opportunity for us to showcase our research – and given Brighton’s quirky atmosphere next year’s festival promises to be especially vibrant.
Do you have any advice for researchers across the University who are thinking of engaging with the public?
Before starting in this role I was a cancer researcher, and I always used to enjoy getting out of the lab and meeting members of the public – it reminded me why I was doing my job. As a researcher you can become very focused on a particular project, so it’s good to take a look at the bigger picture sometimes.
It is really important to think about why you are engaging the public and which public you want to work with. These two aspects will help to focus and shape your project.
What would people be surprised to know about you?
I am a complete water baby, and take any opportunity to be by the sea. I even chose to go for a sea swim for my 30th birthday last year – in November!
Describe a good day out in Brighton?
I really enjoy going around the Lanes, but nothing beats a brisk walk along the seafront followed by some fish and chips, especially at this time of year.
What would you do for a job if you weren’t doing this?
If I wasn’t doing this, I think I would still be working as a researcher. I could also see myself as an events organiser – having helped to manage some of Cancer Research UK’s ‘Race for Life’ events over the past couple of years.