National acclaim for IFR student poster
6 October 2009
Adam Elliston, a PhD student from the Institute of Food Research in Norwich, has been named a runner-up in the British Science Association Perspectives nationwide competition.
perspectives is a poster competition in which researchers funded by the UK Research Councils present and explore the social implications of their work.
Adam’s poster deals with transforming rubbish into fuel. The poster depicts a combined dustbin and petrol pump and describes Adam’s project, which is looking at ways of turning the material we throw away into biofuel
“We all throw away heaps of rubbish everyday which ends up on landfill sites and can ultimately add to global warming by producing greenhouse gases as it decays. However, what if we could use this rubbish to produce something valuable that we use everyday, like fuel? My research is looking at using natural biological systems to break down organic waste in to fuel ethanol that we can use in our cars,” said Adam.
Adam is supported by the Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). He is currently in the 2nd year of his PhD under the supervision of Prof Keith Waldron at the IFR, which is an Institute of the BBSRC. He is co-sponsored by Achor International Ltd., a Norwich based company who are leading the way in the commercialisation and deployment of next generation clean-energy technologies.
“The perspectives scheme gave me the opportunity to look at what implications my research had on society and visa versa. It was interesting trying to design a poster from this point of view, rather than looking at presenting graphs and results, as you usually do with scientific posters. I had to design something that would convey quickly to the general public what it was I was doing and most importantly what benefits it would have on society as a whole."
" It was fantastic getting to talk to such a range of people at the science festival, explaining what I was doing and seeing their reaction to it. It makes you feel that your research is worthwhile when you get such positive responses to it” he said.
The perspectives scheme is organised by the British Science Association and is funded by Research Councils UK who see it as essential that researchers consider the societal and ethical benefits which innovative research brings to people and communities around the world. Out of 90 entries 36 were selected to design and exhibit a poster at the British Science Festival, which was held at the University of Surrey from 6-10 September, bringing over 350 of the UK’s top scientists and engineers to discuss the latest developments, http://www.britishsciencefestival.org
Out of the 36 finalists there was one overall winner and five runner-ups. The panel of judges comprised science communicators and media representatives.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
IFR Press Office:
Andrew Chapple, Assistant Press Officer
Email: andrew.chapple@ifr.ac.uk
Tel: 01603 251490
Ollie Christophers, Communications Officer, British Science Association
Email: ollie.christophers@britishscienceassociation.org
Tel: 020 7019 4946
Notes for editors
- The British Science Festival is one of Europe’s largest science festivals and regularly attracts over 350 of the UK’s top scientists and speakers to discuss the latest developments in science with the public. Over 50,000 visitors regularly attend the talks, discussions and workshops. The Festival takes place at a different location each year and was last held in Guildford in 1975. The 2009 festival will take place from 5-10 September at the University of Surrey, Guildford, and across the region. For further information, visit http://www.britishsciencefestival.org
- The British Science Association is the UK's nationwide, open membership organisation that exists to advance the public understanding, accessibility and accountability of the sciences and engineering. Established in 1831, the British Science Association organises major initiatives across the UK, including National Science and Engineering Week, the annual British Science Festival, programmes of regional and local events, and an extensive programme for young people in schools and colleges. The Association also organises specific activities for the science communication community in the UK through its Science in Society programme. For more information, please visit http://www.britishscienceassociation.org
- Research Councils UK is a strategic partnership through which the UK's seven Research Councils work together to champion the research, training and innovation they support. The Research Councils are the main public investors in fundamental research in the UK with interests ranging from bio-medicine and particle physics to the environment, engineering and economic research. For more information, please visit http://www.rcuk.ac.uk
- The mission of the Institute of Food Research (www.ifr.ac.uk) is to undertake international quality scientific research relevant to food and human health and to work in partnership with others to provide underpinning science for consumers, policy makers, the food industry and academia. It is a company limited by guarantee, with charitable status, grant aided by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (www.bbsrc.ac.uk).
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