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William Smith
About Me:
Obsessed with computers since I was a kid but not your typical computer geek… I like ice climbing so it seemed natural to apply my research to studying glaciers in old photos!
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Will Ingram
About Me:
I’m an engineer with a passion for ‘clean/ green technology’. I spend my free life playing in the great outdoors, and my work life supporting engineering solutions to conserve that outdoors for future generations by fighting climate change.
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Tamsin Edwards
About Me:
I’m the climate scientist that showed Tyndall’s greenhouse gas demo in the first lecture
Latest Question:
Interesting fact about climate change? -
Stephanie Henson
About Me:
I’m a biogeochemical oceanographer – what a mouthful! Basically, I study the biology and chemistry of the oceans.
Latest Question:
What year will our oceans go or disappear? -
Sophie Gill
About Me:
I am a scientist passionate about solutions for fighting climate change.
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Sian Evans
About Me:
I’m a Researcher at the University of Oslo in Norway, usually exploring underground using x-ray vision. I’m especially interested in how geology can be used in the energy industry to help tackle climate change.
Latest Question:
Why is it rare to find whale poo? -
Savanna van Mesdag
About Me:
I am a PhD student and scientist! I love animals, nature, science, art, animation, architecture and literature! I focus and will focus on a lot of different aspects of environmental science in my research, including biodiversity, plant growth and habitats.
Latest Question:
Did you always want to be a scientist -
Rachel Brackenridge
About Me:
Hi, I’m Rachel and I’m a geoscientist. I love the outdoors and the ocean. I explore the rocks below the ocean floor to understand how ocean currents and submarine landslides have shaped the seabed in the past.
Latest Question:
Did you always want to be a scientist -
Polly Keen
About Me:
Chemical engineer and inventor who loves nature and running.
Latest Question:
Do human burps have an effect on the environment like cows? -
Pete Gallivan
About Me:
Hi there! I’m Pete and I work at the Royal Institution. I help organise the Christmas Lectures as well as other science activities for young people throughout the year. I also have a degree in Zoology, and have worked as an activity leader in the Swiss Alps.
Latest Question:
No questions to show
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Peta Hayes
About Me:
I am the Senior Curator of Palaeobotany at the Natural History Museum in London.
Latest Question:
What is you favourite colour -
Michael Sulu
About Me:
A use microbes to make things
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Michael Nolan
About Me:
I am a principal scientist and a Professor in modelling of materials. I love doing science and developing other scientists. I also love sharing science and engineering with others
Latest Question:
how many explosions have you created -
Marie Busfield
About Me:
I’m a geologist and I study ice ages throughout Earth’s history, including the biggest and coldest ‘Snowball Earth’. I work as a university lecturer at Aberystwyth University. Happy to answer questions in Welsh or English.
Latest Question:
How old is earth ? -
Manuel Kober-Czerny
About Me:
I live and work in Oxford. I am a PhD student (in my final year) in Condensed Matter Physics, where I work on the next-generation of solar cells. The beauty of my work is that I can study whatever interests me, as long as it moves the understanding of next-generation solar cells forward.
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Malcolm Holley
About Me:
Round, hairy, problem solver who likes red nail polish
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Lizzie Driscoll
About Me:
I’m a Chemistry PhD student researching new materials for Li-ion batteries. I love being creative in both science and art.
Latest Question:
if you didn’t study what you are studying what would you study -
Lin Marvin
About Me:
I am a technician mainly working in a lab using analytical instruments but they do let me out occasionally on fieldwork. Combine that with working backstage in a theatre and that may explain my Demonstration Technician role on the Ri Christmas Lectures.
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Liam Taylor
About Me:
I study icy mountains using space lasers. One day I want to be a mad professor.
Latest Question:
How and when will the world end -
Lauren Graham
About Me:
I am an enthusiastic young scientist just starting out my career in a laboratory that tests water samples!
Latest Question:
Did you always want to be a scientist -
Kirstie Wright
About Me:
I am a Geoscientist who is interested in volcanic and deep marine sedimentary rocks. I spend most of my time looking at data that images rocks buried deep beneath our feet.
Latest Question:
whats your favourite fact about rocks? -
Katy Chamberlain
About Me:
I am a volcanologist who loves being outdoors and in the lab! I am a lecturer at a university, so as well as studying volcanoes, I get to teach other people about them too.
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Jenny Shepperson
About Me:
I live in North Wales with my husband, 3 kids, and our over-excitable dog. I love being outdoors, in the sea, or camping – happiest when watching my kids have fun!
Status: Excited to be back answering such interesting and varied questions!
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Helena Brown
About Me:
I’m a technician in an environmental fluid dynamics laboratory. I help to conduct research which looks at how fluids interact with each other and the sediment or soil they might come into contact with.
I also has one of the technicians who joined the RI Christmas Lecture Demo Team.Latest Question:
Did you always want to be a scientist -
Hazel Jeffery
About Me:
I’m curious about lots of things. I have an enquiring mind and like to solve problems.
Latest Question:
Which animals are the most endangered by climate change? -
Freija Mendrik
About Me:
I’m a marine biologist who’s passionate about protecting our oceans! I also love to run, cycle and be outdoors as much as possible.
Latest Question:
Did you always want to be a scientist -
Fabian Grosse
About Me:
I am a marine scientist living and working in Glasgow, where I enjoy being close to the mountains and to beautiful lakes.
Latest Question:
What you most proud moment in your career so far -
Elena Maters
About Me:
I’m a volcanologist who loves Earth and space science, travelling and experiencing new cultures, baking cakes and cookies, and binge-watching a good Netflix series!
Latest Question:
Where does all the magma come from and is it an infinite source? -
Eleanor Frajka-Williams
About Me:
I’m the oceanographer who talked about eddies in the second lecture.
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Christopher Dean
About Me:
I am a music obsessed palaeontologist interested in what we see and what we don’t see in the fossil record, and why that’s the case!
Latest Question:
What is your favorite piece of artwork? -
Bethan Hindle
About Me:
I live in Swindon with my partner, Andy. We spend a lot of our spare time at our allotment (or talking about the allotment).
Latest Question:
what happens if global warming gets worse? -
Beth Clark
About Me:
I am a PhD student at Bangor University studying deep water ecosystems in Hawai`i.
I am an animal lover and have one dog and six chickens at the moment.
I also love sea swimming, dancing and doing yoga.Latest Question:
Did you always want to be a scientist -
Becky Greaves
About Me:
I live in Shropshire (beautiful countryside) & I love exploring, walking & swimming. I live with my husband & cat. The cat is loving us working from home during Covid! I took part in the Christmas lectures 2020 & absolutely loved being able to share my job with you
Status: Research Manager for a company that turns food & agricultural wastes into electricity & a fertiliser
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Apple Chew
About Me:
I’m a PhD student doing my research in genetically engineering green microalgae – the future of food, biofuels and biopharmaceuticals.
Latest Question:
No questions to show
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Amy Stockwell
About Me:
I live in Banbury, Oxfordshire. Most of my work is on the computer, so I spend my evenings playing the flute and my holidays in a tent. I always have chocolate in my bag!
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Alec Christie
About Me:
I’m a PhD student in Zoology at the University of Cambridge and I live with my fiancee in Cambridge.
Latest Question:
How many ant species are there on the earth? -
Tony Butcher
About Me:
I’m a lecturer at the University in Portsmouth, teaching students about geology (the study of our planet) and palaeontology (the study of ancient life).
I also do scientific research using tiny fossils to study the ancient climate of the planet, and how old the rocks are.
Latest Question:
What’s the moon like and why -
Steve Wroe
About Me:
Retired Polar Surveyor / Lecturer. Enjoys life and meeting people, eating out or eating in and cooking meals.
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Polly Osborne
About Me:
I’m an electrical engineer based in Birmingham and very passionate about green energy and tackling climate change. I also love dance, yoga, crochet and outdoor adventures.
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Michael Cutts
About Me:
Hi – I’m Michael and I trained as a biologist and taxonomist but now work in science communication. I love exploring how to explore science, and the learning of learning! Which means I get to play with all areas of science!
Latest Question:
No questions to show
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Graham Shields
About Me:
I am a geochemist. I look at the evolution of life, climate and the oceans in the past.
Latest Question:
Can volcanoes erupt underwater? -
David Porter
About Me:
I manage the Young Scientist Centre at the Royal Institution where we try to inspire school age students in the wonderful world of practical science. I have always worked in science from research at the Royal Veterinary College to teaching in schools to my current role.
Latest Question:
No questions to show
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Aythya Young
About Me:
I am a PhD student in Edinburgh looking at fossil insects and climatic/ environmental change in Norway. I love going on walks looking for wildlife or swimming in the sea (even in winter!🥶).
Latest Question:
What insect/bug is your favourite? -
Alistair Young
About Me:
Trustee for the River Wey Trust. The river has two sources in Hampshire, then flows through Hampshire and Surrey, joining the River Thames at Weybridge.
We are involved in monitoring water quality, pollution, and the environment of the river. To do this we use WaterRangers test equipment to look at basic water chemistry, and “kick sampling” to look at the invertebrate (mini bugs) populations which are indicators of how healthy the water is.
I use an Augmented Reality Sandbox to show topography, landscape and river models, river flows, and see how water ‘works’.
Latest Question:
how big is the River Wey?
