Merthyr Science Festival logo.

Swansea University scientists will be sharing their expertise with the community at a special weekend of online events.

From demonstrating how nature helps us develop new drugs to exploring the connection between particle physics and sport and providing a close-up look at DNA, there is a varied line-up of events for all ages at this year’s Merthyr Science Festival.

Established by Dr Claire Price, a researcher in the Centre for Cytochrome P450 Biodiversity at Swansea University Medical School, the festival is returning as a free virtual event between July 16 and 18.

Dr Price said: “It is great that we can hold the festival this year, even if it is online. We have seen over the past year how important science is to our lives and society, so it is great that using this platform we can bring cutting-edge science and research to as many people as possible.”

The event, which will be headlined by BBC One Show science reporter Marty Jopson, will feature sessions led by Dr Price’s University colleagues including:

  • More than CO2: Positive Feedback Loops in Climate Change – Dr Pamela Styles, SALT;
  • Nano-experiments! See DNA and a sweet self-assembly – Dr Jezabel Garcia Parra, Medicine;
  • Natural Nurture – Dr Adam Turner, Medicine;
  • Let’s have a look at DNA! – Dr Remi Zallot, Medicine; and,
  • Particle Physics for Sports Fans – Professor Chris Allton, Physics/Oriel Science.

Last year Dr Price’s dedication to making science more accessible to her home town and the wider community led to her being honoured at the Royal Society of Biology Outreach and Engagement Awards which celebrates researchers who communicate their work using novel methods to engage with target audiences.

See the full schedule and sign up for live and recorded sessions.

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