School of Clinical Laboratory Sciences
Genetics

Genetic and biochemical sciences advance our understanding of the natural world using experiments and observations that are carefully designed and legally controlled. The findings from scientific experiments may offer a new view on the way life works, or may suggest new technologies for health-care or the environments. It is important that scientists explain their findings to all members of the public so that informed decisions can be made as to the way in which scientific knowledge should be used. If this is not done carefully then certain findings may be reported in a sensationalist manner in the press, leading to (usually unwarranted) controversy and fear. Lord Sainsbury, as minister for science, has in the past stressed the need for better public understanding. More recently he has spoken of making knowledge of science, its achievements and applications accessible to the 'non-scientific audience', leading to the public's engagement in Science. For sometime Dr Sockett has been actively involved in the Public Understanding of Science, leading initiatives with students and science professionals which bring practical science into the classroom, to the public arena and to the visually impaired. She is also currently the education officer for the Society for General Microbiology.

Former project students Mike Salt (l) and Nick Clark (r) displaying their PUS project work at Tommorrow's World Live

Dr Sockett's involvement Dr Sockett currently supervises 4 project students working on the public understanding of genetics in primary and secondary schools and by physically impaired pupils. She has previously supervised 6 others, in the last 5 years, all working on public understanding of science projects. She has recently held two Public Understanding of Science Grants jointly with Mr. Norman Brown of RNIB New College, Worcester. 1) A Royal Society-Esso School Science Liaison Grant. 2) A Royal Society-British Association Millennium Award. There are a number of short publications from her PUS work and more in preparation. In her work as Education Officer for the SGM she contributes to a variety of PUS Information including co-editing booklets for BBSRC (e.g. Bacterial Friends and Foes) and for joint activities with Wellcome (Biotechnology Pack for 16+). She has also written three information sheets with advice for scientists wishing to communicate their work to others. These are available from http://www.socgenmicrobiol.org.uk/PA/edu_car/g_p.htm Dr Sockett is a member of several national biological education committees including the UKLSC Education and Careers Committee and the Microbiology in Schools Advisory Committee (http://www.socgenmicrobiol.org.uk/PA/edu_car/misac.htm). She makes responses on behalf of SGM to planned changes to the national curriculum and A level syllabi. She is a regular lecturer on the Royal Institution Schools lecture programme, speaking to KS2 and 6th form pupils. She presented a display of PUS work at last year’s Tomorrow’s World Live exhibition at Earl’s Court and gives talks at PUS events in the Nottingham area and beyond.

PUS links SGM Education officer http://www.socgenmicrobiol.org.uk/sgmsetup.htm 'Going Public' advice pages on running PUS events  http://www.socgenmicrobiol.org.uk/PA/edu_car/g_p.htm Advice on Education activities relevant to microbiology academicshttp://www.socgenmicrobiol.org.uk/QUA/080001.pdf    (needs Adobe Acrobat) Millennium award http://www.socgenmicrobiol.org.uk/QUA/020013.pdf (needs Adobe Acrobat) Download Adobe Acrobat click here ---------->

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