The past decade has seen a significant investment in public engagement by the School of Physics and Astronomy, with over 31 million people reached by School staff, partners and students via TV, radio, newspaper articles, online stories, public lectures and schools events between 2009-2012 alone. This involves many hours of volunteer work by members of the staff in the School and also is enabled by the strong partnerships we have with education and public outreach (EPO) experts in house.

Our public engagement activities have been supported via the STFC Large and Small Awards schemes, an STFC Public Engagement Fellowship, the Ogden Trust, the Welsh Assembly Government National Science Association, Cardiff University Innovation and Engagement Grants, and European Framework 7 (FP7) funding.

As a mark of its commitment to strengthening links with the community, the School has recently formed an outreach committee chaired by Prof Haley Gomez. The committee aims to build the strategic direction for outreach activities for the School of Physics and Astronomy, closely linked to Cardiff University’s strategy, the Science Advisory Board for Wales guidelines and Research Councils UK strategic plan. Most importantly, the committee will aim to enhance the link between cutting edge research carried out in the School with the community.