Public Speaking in Action: Inspiring Young Minds at Oldfield School

As part of their professional development, four of our PhD students recently visited Oldfield School in Bath during the school’s Careers Week to deliver engaging talks to an audience of enthusiastic Year 7 students. The visit was a timely opportunity to align with the week’s focus, while also allowing our students to practice and refine their public speaking skills—an essential component of their training in public engagement.

Through their PhD program in Sustainable Chemical Technologies, our researchers regularly participate in activities designed to enhance their ability to communicate complex ideas to diverse audiences. Speaking to younger students presents a unique challenge and valuable experience, as it requires simplifying technical topics into accessible and relatable content.

Each of the PhD students brought a distinct perspective to the session, reflecting the diverse areas of research within Sustainable Chemical Technologies. Their talks were carefully coordinated to ensure a variety of topics were covered, providing the students with a broad and captivating glimpse into the field. Here’s a look at what each speaker shared:

Harvey opened his presentation by addressing common perceptions and misconceptions about science and scientists, setting an engaging tone for the students. He asked thought-provoking questions, such as “What is a PhD?” which sparked lively moments of interaction and curiosity. Harvey then shared his inspiring personal journey, highlighting how he was the first in his family to attend university, bravely forging his own path toward a PhD. He introduced the students to the fascinating world of Computational Science, using examples from his work to illustrate what this field looks like in action.

Dalia, delivered an engaging presentation on the critical topic of wastewater—how we manage it, why it matters, and the impact it has on our daily lives. To spark curiosity and engagement, she posed the intriguing question, “Can anyone guess why water flushed down the toilet might be important for science?”—a tricky question for the students (and most people), which perfectly highlighted the often-overlooked importance of this subject. She also provided a glimpse into her research group, sharing fascinating photos and insights into her lab and day-to-day work as a researcher. As the sole female presenter, her presence sent a powerful and inspiring message to the younger audience, showcasing the importance of diversity in science.

Oli captivated the Year 7 students with his talk on Mechanical Engineering, sparking excitement by discussing rockets, bullet trains, and racing cars. He shared his personal journey into the field, giving insight into his university project, discussing recycling solar panels and exploring the potential future innovations in this area of science. His engaging presentation inspired many questions from the curious and enthusiastic audience.

Matthew, concluded the talks by exploring the impressive advancements in science, focusing on innovative methods for creating clean water from various sources. He tackled the pressing issue of climate change, emphasizing the ongoing reliance on fossil fuels over renewable energy and chemicals. Matthew highlighted the progress in renewable chemicals and plastics, sharing an example of bio-based plastic bottles—an observation made poignant when one student in the audience was drinking from a regular plastic bottle, a moment that captured everyone’s attention. He wrapped up his presentation with his famous cake analogy, brilliantly simplifying the concepts of Mechanical Recycling and Chemical Recycling into an easily digestible and memorable explanation.

In addition to the professional development aspect, the visit brought a secondary but equally significant benefit: raising awareness of climate change and sustainability among young students. The PhD researchers shared insights into their work, which focuses on developing sustainable solutions to global challenges, and highlighted the role science plays in tackling environmental issues.

An equally strong and impactful message was them discussing their personal journeys to a PhD, the challenges they faced, and their aspirations for the future. By sharing their passion for creating a more sustainable world, the researchers hoped to inspire students to think critically about climate change and see the potential for positive change through science and innovation.

While the primary aim of the visit was to provide practical public speaking experience for the PhD students, the opportunity to spark curiosity and foster awareness about sustainability in a younger audience is a powerful bonus. We also hope that, during their Careers Week, we inspired some students to consider further education and careers in STEM, planting the seeds for future innovators and problem-solvers.

We’re grateful to Oldfield School for hosting this inspiring session and look forward to more opportunities to connect with the community, making science and sustainability both exciting and accessible.

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