Question: i saw you went to dubai. isnt that quite expensive? why do you need money if you can afford to go to dubai?

Dr Hywel Jones answered on 13 Jun 2010:

One of the cool things about science is that its a worldwide activity and sometimes you get to travel as part of the job. I was passing through Dubai on the way to Tokyo, I was only in Dubai for 4 hours. I was travelling for work and the university was paying, via a grant we got to carry our the work. And yes, it is very expensive and I only had a cup of coffee.
The prize money from this event is not spent on me personally but I can spend it on a project that is going to help me further promote science and the work I do.