Special Events and Programmes

Developing activities that include our campus is important in opening doors and welcoming people to the University. Several of our programmes include visits and on-site workshops and sessions, often developed in partnership with researchers and students. Highlights include:

Schools’ Physicist of the Year

Each year since 2013, SOE has invited teachers from schools across the North East to nominate a student for the award, often based upon the student’s progress, determination, additional projects and support for others. These students, together with their families and teachers, are welcomed onto campus by our students and university staff to be presented with these awards at this celebration of their achievements. To date, well over 300 Year 10 and Year 12 students have received Schools’ Physicist of the Year awards here at Durham.

Girls’/Women’s Events and Programmes

Science Engagement currently coordinate, deliver and evaluate departmental events for girls including whole day practical and challenge days, and evening sessions with researchers. Over the last three years we have organised more than ten events in the Departments of Physics, Computer Science and Engineering, including supporting 2019’s STEMettes’ Durham Hack and the 2023 Durham Astronomy Girls Day, together with many events at venues around the UK. We have also provided support for other programmes including the IOP Improving Gender Balance Project; NUSTEM at Northumbria University and York University Physics Department.

Creative projects

Examples include Changing Cosmic Perceptions; Undress:Redress; Burberry Inspire; Star Goal and the award-winning What if…? which partner creative practitioners, businesses, researchers and communities.