Physics scientists present their research in parliament

Two researchers from Physics and Astronomy were among 21 University of Southampton PhD students and Early Career Researchers who presented their research to a range of politicians and a panel of expert judges at the House of Commons this week as part of the SET for BRITAIN poster competition and exhibition.

The researchers, Paul Gow and Joe Spencer, were chosen from a wide range of applicants, to encourage, support and promote Britain's early-stage and early-career research scientists, engineers, technologists and mathematicians who are an essential part of continuing progress in and development of UK research and development.

Joe’s work focuses on extreme nanowires. He explains: “My research covers wires at the absolute limit of the nanoscale, just 1-2 atoms in diameter.

"I am pleased to have been involved with SET for BRITAIN and getting the chance to engage with policy makers to tell them about my work, which could form the basis for future technologies.”

Paul Gow added: “I'm researching terahertz, which is light between microwaves and infra-red. It’s used for various applications from security and quality control, to art conservation and scientific research. My work is on improving the devices that emit this light. SET for Britain has been an amazing experience. It was great to meet researchers from all over the UK and talk to them about their work. It was also brilliant to communicate my work to MP's from all over the country - all in all it was an amazing, and tiring, day!

Andrew Miller MP, Chairman of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee said: “This annual competition is an important date in the parliamentary calendar because it gives MPs an opportunity to speak to a wide range of the country’s best young researchers.

“These early career engineers, mathematician and scientists are the architects of our future and SET for BRITAIN is politicians’ best opportunity to meet them and understand their work.”

The Parliamentary and Scientific Committee run the SET for BRITAIN event in collaboration with the Royal Society of Chemistry, the London Mathematical Society, the Institute of Physics, The Physiological Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Society of Biology and the Society of Chemical Industry, with financial support from BP, Wiley, Essar, INEOS, the Clay Mathematics Institute, Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), the Bank of England and the Institute of Biomedical Science.