A concept for objective-driven science outreach: promoting Drosophila research through multifaceted, audience-specific strategies
| Dates: | 14 October 2014 |
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| Times: | 15:30 - 17:00 |
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| What is it: | Seminar |
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| Organiser: | Faculty of Life Sciences |
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| Who is it for: | University staff, Current University students |
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| Speaker: | Prof Andreas Prokop |
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Genetic invertebrate model organisms, such as the fruitfly Drosophila, are essential pillars in the process of scientific discovery. Beyond flies, there is hardly any organism in which fundamental biology is better understood and amenable to further study. These facts seem unknown to students joining universities these days, which consequently has a major impact on their course choices; they also seem to gradually fade from the view of decision making bodies. Therefore, there is an urgent need to promote the timeliness and importance of invertebrate model research, and Manchester fly groups are at the forefront of such activities. Our key strategy to achieve momentum is to take a multifaceted approach which targets a wide range of audiences. Thus, (1) we raise awareness about the best uses of flies at researcher level (genetic training package, @fly_papers twitterbot, online information), (2) promote teaching of Drosophila genetics in universities (strategies for teaching and assessment), (3) develop resources and ideas to explain the importance of fly research at science fairs and in schools (and distribute them to other drosophilists), and (4) develop resources for school teachers. To achieve the latter, PhD students undergo placements in schools to understand teachers' requirements as well as the curriculum, and subsequently generate fly-based resources which conceptually explain relevant biology specifications (and flies are suitable for an impressive range of topics!). We are also currently exploring potential collaborations with science historians, as an alternative approach to strengthen the argumentative base for the use of Drosophila in research. In summary, this multifaceted approach is powerful because it reaches a wide range of audiences. Secondly, it is more exciting for facilitators of outreach work because it offers variation and change. Most importantly, work on one strategy tends to result in the enhancement of the others, thus providing a fantastic driver to enhance quality across the spectrum of outreach activities.
Travel and Contact Information
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1.006
AV Hill Building
Manchester
