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Luke O’Neill: ‘The bottom line for me is that science should be fun, and I think that’s reflected in the event’s mission’

Trinity professor on what’s so good about Science Week

Prof Luke O’Neill: “brilliant initiative”

Wed Nov 4 2015 - 00:00

PROF LUKE O'NEILL, chair of Biochemistry, TCD

Science Week is a brilliant initiative that galvanises many people working towards publicising science in all its wonder. Even just in the past few years, through my own involvement, it’s gone from a point where it would have been rare to see full theatres to having huge turnouts every night.

It’s yet more evidence that people have an appetite for science; that the general public wants to hear about these things. They will turn up if good events are organised, and the growth of Science Week reflects that.

Having being involved with the Science Gallery over the years has helped us deliver science to a lay audience. There has been a real improvement in how the subject is pitched, and hopefully that’s beginning to reap rewards in terms of involvement.

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People are much more aware of Science Week now than four or five years ago. There’s no doubt about that. You’ll see it advertised on billboards at Dart stations or publicised in the media, so SFI has done a good job at getting the message out there.

The bottom line for me is that science should be fun, and I think that’s reflected in the event’s mission. It has always aimed to make the subject more accessible, and I believe it’s delivering on that.