The Cambridge Science Centre today announces that Professor Andrea Brand FRS FMedSci joins the Board of Directors. This appointment will help co-ordinate the public engagement priorities of the Centre with those of the University of Cambridge. Andrea’s experience in research and public engagement will complement an already significant group of Directors who together represent the Cambridge entrepreneurial community, government policy, the regional school network, the world-wide science centre industry, and legal and governance requirements. In her role Professor Brand will help the Science Centre establish a committee responsible for researcher engagement and evaluation of exhibition and educational activities. She will also increase the Centre’s emphasis on programmes to encourage young women into science.
“Providing a public environment for scientific exploration can really inspire young people.” said Professor Brand. “I’ve seen the positive impact of public science engagement first-hand, both as a Patron of the Cambridge Science Festival and through my daughter’s experience of hands-on science exhibits. Cambridge is an amazing environment in which to develop world-class public engagement programmes and the Cambridge Science Centre has pulled together a really talented team. I’m looking forward to contributing to the development of this great initiative. ”
Professor Brand is the Herchel Smith Professor of Molecular Biology at the Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute and a member of the Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience at the University of Cambridge, and a Fellow of Jesus College. She heads a lab investigating how the nervous system develops. Professor Brand is a Fellow of the Royal Society and the Academy of Medical Sciences. She has been actively involved in public science engagement over many years in Cambridge. She was awarded the Royal Society Rosalind Franklin Award in 2006 for her scientific achievements and her promotion of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).
“Welcoming such an eminent research scientist onto the Board of Directors of the Cambridge Science Centre proves yet again how important this initiative is to Cambridge.” said Dr. David Cleevely CBE, Chairman. “I am looking forward to working with Andrea to bring more researchers in to work with us at the Centre and to make sure we develop world-class methods for evaluating our informal science education programmes so that we can continue to improve.”
The Science Centre is progressing from strength-to-strength having completed a very successful first six months of operation. Over 12,000 visitors and 25 schools have attended the Centre, exceeding expected admissions by over 35%. The Centre has established an excellent relationship with the University of Cambridge and Jesus College over the past two years having partnered with the University of Cambridge Science Festival on many of its activities, and having been opened in February 2013 by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz at 18 Jesus Lane, a property of Jesus College. Professor Brand’s appointment will develop this relationship even further.
"Professor Andrea Brand's role on the Board of Directors will help build more links between University science and engineering departments wishing to engage the public and the Cambridge Science Centre, helping people of all ages to encounter outstanding research from the University of Cambridge through visits all year round.” said Nicola Buckley, Head of Public Engagement at the University of Cambridge. “Andrea has been a fantastic advocate of science outreach in Cambridge both through special events at the Wellcome Trust Gurdon Institute and the annual University of Cambridge Science Festival held each March.”
The Science Centre is currently hosting its ‘Build It!’ summer exhibition with new engineering exhibits and a packed programme of events and researcher engagement.
Press Contacts: press@cambridgesciencecentre.org