Our group members are passionate about communicating the science and research we do to the wider public. Some examples of our work are included below.
We work across educational resources, public engagement, scientifically informed visual media, documentary features, and explainer videos that make exoplanet research more accessible to a wider audience.
In the summer of 2020, we were pleased to have been involved in providing educational materials for students. This included a virtual lesson developed with Professor Justin Dillon at the Graduate School for Education at the University of Exeter, as well as an adaptation of one of our Nature Communications articles with the Physical Science Journal for Kids, transforming this peer-reviewed journal article into a format optimised for younger students. This article can be viewed here.
Our work with this virtual lesson has led to the Exoplanet Explorers programme, delivered as highly interactive workshops for young people to contribute to their understanding of Key Stage 5 Physics. A component of that programme is our exoplanet game, Exoplanet Explorers, hosted with We The Curious.
Two images were created for a project led by Dr Tom Mikal-Evans: Mikal-Evans et al. (2022).
The first commissioned image was produced with Engine House VFX. Credit: Tom Mikal-Evans and Engine House VFX.
The second commissioned image was created by artist Patricia Klein. Credit: Patricia Klein and Tom Mikal-Evans.
Dr Denis Sergeev constructed this image as an entry into the Exeter Science Centre Science as Art gallery.
The piece reflects the group’s interest in communicating exoplanet science through visual storytelling as well as formal research outputs.
Science as Art entry by Dr Denis Sergeev.
A full mini-documentary, Listen to UoE, features scientists Dr Elisabeth Matthews, Dr David Sing, Dr Stefan Lines, Professor Nathan Mayne and Dr Jessica Spake, speaking about what it would be like to visit these exotic worlds, and exploring them in 4K and 3D.
A few stills from this video are available below. Credit: EETG and Engine House VFX. Other stills are available on request.
Professor Nathan Mayne also presented a TED talk as part of the Time and Tide event in Truro.
Watch the TED talkOur most recent visual offering is a more cinematic experience.
Watch the cinematic video