A community engagement project supported by the Department of Physics has won the Engaging with Communities category at the national Ogden Outreach Awards 2024; the project was also awarded the Vice-Chancellor’s Community Partnership Award earlier this year. The project, My Place, My Science, brings together researchers from the Department of Physics, along with other departments at the University of Oxford, to work alongside the History of Science Museum and the community group African Families in the UK. The project supports young people of African and black Caribbean heritage to enjoy science and build cultural connections.
The Ogden Outreach Awards celebrate physics outreach and recognise the efforts of those involved in developing and delivering it; the Engaging with Communities category awards excellence in the development and delivery of projects working with community partners.
Based in Blackbird Leys, one of the 20% most deprived wards in the country, the My Place, My Science project puts together a programme of events and workshops, many of which were led by Lena Shams, who coordinates the Department’s engagement programme for families. Last year, these included two themed sessions – Levitate, a hands-on workshop on superconductivity, and Magnets Fantastic, a fun-filled, action-packed show – that made up Magnetism Morning as well as a community stargazing event. The Department of Physics also staged a half-day event on climate change with hands-on activities and craft. More than 30 members of the department have been involved in the activities so far and the participating young people worked towards showcasing what they learnt in a festival-style event held at the History of Science Museum. The events and activities help those from migrant families to develop and build confidence and self-esteem, and bring them closer to the scientific community.
‘It is fantastic to see this local project receive national recognition,’ comments Professor Ian Shipsey, who heads up the Department of Physics at the University of Oxford. ‘Our outreach team is small but incredibly effective with powerful reach and this project is a brilliant example of how targeted, grass-roots activity delivers remarkable engagement. Our researchers enthusiastically share their time and expertise and the results benefit all those involved and beyond. Congratulations to all those involved.’
At the awards, student Nina Dimova was also awarded an Ambassador Award in recognition of her outstanding long-term contribution to the work of the Department of Physics’ outreach and engagement team.