Issued by University of Leicester Press Office on 21 March 2011

Robert Sansom, 29, a researcher at the University of Leicester, hailing from Ringwood in Hampshire, won Bronze at a competition in the House of Commons, for the excellence of his scientific research this week.

Robert, from the Department of Geology, presented his biological research to more than one hundred politicians and a panel of expert judges, as part of SET for Britain, on Monday 14 March.

The research, which looks at how our soft-bodied ancestors rotted, to help our understanding of the origin of vertebrates on Earth, was judged against 59 other shortlisted researchers’ work.

Robert said, “I am really excited about being able to communicate my research to non-scientific audiences.  To be able to present my research at Parliament, and to win an award whilst doing it, is brilliant.”

SET for Britain is a competition in the House of Commons which involves researchers displaying posters of their work to panels of expert judges and more than 100 MPs.

Dr Mark Downs, Chief Executive from the Society of Biology, said, “Science has the potential to provide solutions for many of the global challenges we face.  It is critical that parliamentarians better understand how science can help and that young researchers more fully understand the reality of policy formation.  These awards provide a fantastic platform for that to happen.”

The event aims to help politicians understand more about the UK’s thriving science base and rewards some of the strongest scientific research being undertaken in the UK.

Professor Brian Cox, TV star physicist, who visited the event to meet the researchers and present the Westminster Medal, awarded to the overall winner, said, “It’s been amazing to see the range of work on display, you can’t help but feel assured that science and engineering are going to provide answers to the UK’s most pressing concerns, from climate change to cyber security.

“Most importantly of all, these young researchers will continue to explore nature. Driven by their curiosity and skill, who knows what they will discover?

“Politicians take note; the researchers here today are this country’s future. It is your job to ensure that Britain is the best place in the world for them to continue their research."

The Parliamentary and Scientific Committee ran the event in collaboration with The Royal Academy of Engineering, The Institute of Physics, the Society of Biology, The Royal Society of Chemistry and the Society of Chemical Industry, with financial support from BP, E.ON, plantimpact, The Institution of Engineering and Technology, International Agri-Technology Centre Ltd, AgChem Access, Eli Lilly and Oxford Instruments. 

ENDS

1.  Contact

For further information about the event, images, or interview opportunities, please contact Joe Winters:

Tel: 020 7470 4815

E-mail: joseph.winters@iop.org

2.  SET for Britain

SET for Britain is a poster competition in the House of Commons - involving 180 early stage or early career researchers - judged by professional and academic experts.  All presenters are entered into either the engineering; the biological and biomedical sciences; the physical sciences (chemistry); or the physical sciences (physics) session, depending on their specialism. 

Each session will result in the reward of Bronze, Silver and Gold certificates.  Bronze winners will receive a £1,000 prize; Silver, £2,000; and Gold, £3,000.  There will also be an overall winner from the four sessions who will receive the Westminster Wharton Medal.

SET for Britain was established by Dr Eric Wharton in 1997.  Following his untimely death in 2007, the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee, with support from the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Institute of Physics, the Society of Biology, the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Society of Chemical Industry are working together to further his legacy. 

The event is made possible by industry sponsors BP, E.ON, plantimpact, The Institution of Engineering and Technology, International Agri-Technology Centre Ltd, AgChem Access, Eli Lilly and Oxford Instruments.

Early stage or early career researchers include university research students, postgraduates, research assistants, postdocs, research fellows, newly-appointed lecturers, part-time and mature students, returners, those people embarking on a second career, and their equivalent in national, public sector and industrial laboratories, and appropriate final year undergraduate and MSc students, all of whom are engaged in scientific, engineering, technological or medical research.