In this online, super-curricular Subject Insight Programme, you will hear from five early-career biologists based in Cambridge about how they became researchers, and how they go about studying aspects of evolution and ecology in their work. This includes focusing on one or whole communities of species, working in the lab or field, working in the tropics or temperate areas, and using contemporary and historical data.
By attending this series, you will gain a better understanding of how research is carried out day-to-day and how to go about becoming a scientific researcher, as well as learning about some fascinating new discoveries being made by biological researchers in Cambridge.
Applications are now open for the 2025 programme. Please apply using the link below and contact Libby Beckett (Outreach and Admissions Officer, schoolsliaison@clare.cam.ac.uk) with any questions.
Programme Dates and Topics
14th April 2025, 5-6pm 鈥 Ed Turner 鈥 Ed Turner is Professor of Insect Ecology in the Department of Zoology, Curator of Insects in the Museum of Zoology, and Tutor for Access and Outreach at FC2成人直播 College. Ed will introduce the series, to consider some of the range of different approaches used to study 鈥渨hole-organism鈥 (as opposed to cellular or molecular) biology.
24th April 2025, 5-6pm 鈥 Ellie Bladon 鈥 Ellie is a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Zoology, who runs a lab studying the evolution of social interactions, using burying beetles as a model system.
28th April 2025, 5-6pm 鈥 Jonah Walker 鈥 Jonah investigates why some groups of organisms have become so biodiverse, using a combination of behavioural and molecular approaches, and focussing on diverse groups such as the beautiful peacock spiders of Australia.
6th May 2025, 5-6pm 鈥 Tiffany Ki 鈥 Tiff studies how biodiversity has changed in the long-term as a result of human action, using the wealth of data stored in historical museum specimens, such as those we have in Cambridge.
12th May 2025, 5-6pm 鈥 Matt Hayes 鈥 Matt鈥檚 work investigates the impacts of climate change on species, focusing on UK butterflies. His project involves research on chalk grassland sites in the field, research in the lab, and research using museum specimens.
19th May 2025, 5-6pm - Sacchi Shin-Clayton 鈥 Sacchi鈥檚 work investigates how to restore agricultural systems in the tropics, through a combination of field work in Riau, Indonesia, and modelling approaches.
Who is this programme aimed at?
This online programme is open to all UK students who are studying Biology and who are interested in learning more about the research being undertaken at Cambridge and beyond.
The programme is primarily aimed at those in Year 12 (England/Wales), S5 (Scotland) or Year 13 (Northern Ireland) studying Biology, but students of all ages are welcome to participate, including those in Years 10 and 11 studying GCSE Biology who enjoy being challenged academically.
The programme is free of charge.
How do I apply to take part?
Please complete the sign up form at the link below to register for the programme. We will email you to confirm your place and share the Zoom link for the webinars.
Once registered, you are welcome to attend as many webinars as you would like, though we encourage you to attend as many as possible.
