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Making Science Accessible

Making Science Accessible
Science For All Without Jargon
Would you like to know more about how seabirds behave, how psychotropic drugs are affected by your gut bacteria, how seals interact with the fishing industry, how Irish food research can help malnourished children, how viruses can be used to develop new medicines or how artificial intelligence is used in factories?
Six PhD students from UCC will talk about their research on these diverse topics at the final of UCC Science for All Competition on Thursday the 22nd of March.
The science communication competition now in its 14th year, challenges young scientists to share the excitement of their research with the general public in an easily understandable manner, without using jargon.
MC for the final is Ms Lisa Murphy, winner of the Irish national final of Famelab, and organiser of the annual UCC PsychSlam competition for local secondary schools. Snatch Comedy Improv will provide a dose of their fabulous unpredictable Improv-sketches for the intermission.
The panel of judges will be chaired by Mr John Dolan, Features Editor, Evening Echo, and also includes Ms Liz Dooley, Director Operations (Biologics) Janssen, Mr Ian O’Connor, Director of Professional Services-OVH US and Ms Donna O’Driscoll, Director of Marketing & Communications, UCC.
Professor Paul Ross, Head of the College of Science, Engineering and Food Science, UCC and Deputy Director, APC Microbiome Institute, said “The Science for All Competition is a wonderful opportunity for students to develop and enhance their communication and presentation skills. It allows the students the opportunity to distil complex scientific research into something educational and accessible for a non-scientific audience”.
The competition is organised jointly by UCC College of Science, Engineering and Food Science and the SFI Research Centres APC Microbiome Institute and the Irish Photonic Integration Centre,
The final takes place in University College Cork’s Western Gateway Building lecture theatre G05 at 6.15pm on Thursday 22nd March. All are welcome and admission is free.
Places are limited, so book your seat at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ucc-science-for-all-2018-tickets-43988163782?aff=es2
Programme of talks
- Ashley Bennison, SFI Research Centre MaREI & School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UCC Going with the flow: Why are Irish puffins better than most?
- Sofia Cussotto, SFI Research Centre APC Microbiome Ireland and Dept. Anatomy & Neuroscience, UCC Psychotropics and the Chamber of Secrets… Our Gut!
- Cian Luck, SFI Research Centre MaREI & School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UCC Giving Irish fisheries the seal of approval
- Ashwini Shevade, Teagasc Moorepark Food Research Centre & School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, UCC Development of Fortified Blended Foods for Malnourished Children
- Tom Sutton, SFI Research Centre APC Microbiome Ireland & School of Microbiology, UCC Fighting fire with fire: Using viruses to stop superbugs!
- Andrea Visentin, SFI Research Centre Insight & Dept. Computer Science, UCC Smarter and faster! Why a computer can be better at decision-making than you and steal your job!