Royal Institution to exhibit Swansea research in London

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The Royal Institution in London, one of the world’s most prestigious science communication and research organisations, is to host a special exhibition of images and stories submitted by Swansea University researchers for the Research as Art competition.

400 x 260The exhibits will be on show in the Royal Institution building in Mayfair from 1 February to 2 March 2016. 

They will be displayed in the RI’s atrium exhibition space, right next to Michael Faraday’s original laboratory, where he conducted his experiments on electromagnetism.  

See some of the entries that will be on display at the Royal Institution

Picture:  Micro-moon, a metallic particle half a millimetre in diameter.  Mark Coleman. College of Engineering.  Image used by the RI to promote the exhibition. More...

The Research as Art competition celebrates the diversity and beauty of research at Swansea University – a top 30 research university - and the creativity and impact of its researchers.
 
The Royal Institution logoIt is the only competition of its kind, open to researchers from all subjects, and with an emphasis on telling the research story, as well as composing a striking image.

‌A high-profile judging panel was assembled for the competition, including Dr Gail Cardew, Professor of Science, Culture and Society at the Royal Institution.

Competition founder Dr Richard Johnston, senior lecturer in materials science at Swansea University, said:  

“We are delighted to have this opportunity to display Swansea research in the heart of London, in one of the world’s leading scientific institutions.  It gives us the chance to share with a very wide audience the beauty and diversity of the research carried out here in Swansea University.

Research as Art is an opportunity for researchers to reveal their personal story, their humanity, their inspiration, and emotion.  It can also be a way of presenting their research process, and what it means to be a researcher; fostering dialogue, and dissolving barriers between universities and the wider world.”

Gail Cardew, Professor of Science, Culture and Society at the Royal Institution, said:

“As one of the judges for the Research as Art competition, I felt that more people should be given the opportunity to have a peek at them. Not only are some of the images simply stunning, but the beauty also lies in the fact that they are combined with a narrative that explains the work and puts it into context.

The result is a collection of images that have wide appeal beyond the usual scientific circle. Visitors to the Ri over the coming month certainly have a treat in store.”

The Royal Institution is also famous for its Christmas lectures, started by Michael Faraday in 1825, and now its science video channel www.richannel.org

  • The exhibition runs from 1 February to 2 March  
  • The address is: Royal Institution, 21 Albemarle Street, London W1S 4BS.  
  • The building is open to the public Monday to Friday.
  • Entrance is free of charge.

More information about the Research as Art competition.

Watch:  2015 competition winners talk about their entries - all these and more will be on display at the Royal Institution



Research as Art 2015 judging panel 

  • Prof. Gail Cardew –Professor of Science, Culture and Society at the Royal Institution
  • Flora Graham – Digital Editor of NewScientist.com
  • David Hastie, Director of Art Across the City and LOCWS International
  • Prof John Womersley – Chief Executive Officer of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and Research Councils UK executive board

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Picture:  Favela painting, Richard Smith (Geography).  Read more about this image

About the Royal Institution

The Royal Institution (Ri) was founded in March 1799 and its purpose has always been to encourage people to think more deeply about the wonders and applications of science. Home to eminent scientists such as Michael Faraday, Humphry Davy and Dorothy Hodgkin, its discoveries have helped to shape the modern world and two centuries on it remains at the forefront of public engagement with science.

Today it continues its mission as a registered charity providing science education and heritage activities for people of all ages and backgrounds across the UK and around the world.

These activities include the world-famous CHRISTMAS LECTURES; public talks from the world's greatest thinkers in its historic lecture theatre; a national programme of Masterclasses for young people in mathematics, engineering and computer science; hands-on science workshops in its Young Scientist Centre; animations and films from its award-winning Ri Channel and the preservation of its scientific legacy through the Michael Faraday Museum and Archival Collections

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Picture:  Rising from the Page: bringing medieval women to life, Dr Sparky Booker (Arts and Humanities).  Overall winner of Research as Art 2015.  More about this image.