Human health scientists lead the way in communication awards

The Society of Biology will present this year’s Science Communication Awards to Ceri Harrop (University of Manchester) and Dr Susan Jebb (Medical Research Council Human Nutrition Research) for their passion and dedication to communicating biological science to the public. The awards will be presented on 16 November at One Great George Street, Westminster, London.

Ceri Harrop (26), winner in the New Researcher category, is a research assistant in the University of Manchester’s Faculty of Life Sciences, developing a 3D in vitro model of the human airways to study how asthma and other respiratory diseases can lead to changes in the structure and function of the airways. Ceri has used innovative approaches to explain science, and has built models, written and presented an educational TV program, taken part in radio broadcasts and held workshops, sometimes focusing on scientific themes outside her own specialist area. She has demonstrated exceptional communication skills, making complex topics fun and interesting, and has taken science to new audiences who had not previously had the opportunity to meet a practising scientist.

Dr Susan Jebb (44), winner in the Established Researcher category, is Head of Nutrition and Health Research at the Medical Research Council Collaborative Centre for Human Nutrition Research (HNR). Her research focuses on the role of the diet in the causes and treatment of obesity and its related metabolic diseases. She also leads the HNR Communications team. Susan has carried out extensive communication activities about obesity in society with a variety of audiences, and her work has had significant impact and reach - especially with policy makers. She has used a range of methods to share knowledge of her science, including writing articles for a popular magazine, giving public lectures, engaging with the media, playing a key role in government advisory committees, and giving cookery demonstrations whilst discussing affordable healthy eating.

The Science Communication Awards recognise research-active bioscientists from UK universities or institutes who make an outstanding and consistent contribution to communicating science to the public. For more information, please visit the Society of Biology website at the link below.

Society of Biology