Chemistry stand-up raises a smile in Preston
Dr Catherine Tennick, lecturer in forensic science at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) Picture: 漏 Subrayal Reddy
175 minutes for chemistry - Chemistry Week
Staff from the University of Central Lancashire took an alternative approach to public engagement for Chemistry Week 2016, turning their hand to chemical comedy.
The event was held at Scholar鈥檚 Bar on the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) campus with 64 attendees from a range of backgrounds. A significant number of audience members were from non-scientific professions, including university administrative staff and Royal Mail employees. Dr Sub Reddy, one of the organisers and acts on the night said: 鈥淗opefully we demonstrated that science and chemistry, as well as those who work in the discipline, can be fun, and that the subject can appeal to all ages and backgrounds鈥�.
Organiser Dr Subrayal Reddy, reader in biomaterials chemistry at UCLan Picture: 漏 Subrayal Reddy
Organised by our Lancaster and district local section, the chemistry themed stand-up comedy night was supported by Dr John Hardy from Lancaster University. The set featured six postgraduates and academic staff members from UCLan 鈥� Adam Wilcox, Will Stockburn, Dr Sarita Robinson, Dr Catherine Tennick, Dr Sub Reddy and Dr Hazim EL-Sharif 鈥� as well as guest act Dr Ben Stutchbury from the University of Manchester, who won our Chemistry World science communication competition earlier this year.
One of the budding comedians said: 鈥淲hat a blast! It was a brilliant evening!鈥� and many of the audience members commented that the breadth of accessible scientific humour had pleasantly surprised them. One attendee even suggested the academics should go on tour!
The money raised from ticket sales will be donated to M茅decins Sans Fronti猫res.