Scientists who have taken up puppetry as a way to communicate the important work they do in the fight against plastic pollution are showcasing their creations at an event this month
They began being trained in the performance art last year, as a way to engage young people in bioengineering projects and encourage them to pursue a career in science.
Workshops were carried out in the city and Bognor Regis in partnership with the Portsmouth Young Carers Centre with The Makers Guild, Making Theatre, and local secondary school students.
The aim was to promote the exciting work being done at the University’s Centre for Enzyme Innovation (CEI), which is researching solutions to the global plastic crisis.
Brooke Wain, second year PhD student, has been taking the workshops. She said: “It has been striking to see the impact of bringing together science and the creative arts to explain some really complicated research.
“Exploring various creative techniques to describe our scientific research in a digestible and accessible way has not only been fun but has shown to be really effective!”
The Puppets as Enzyme Engineers of the Imagination project was one of 23 across the UK to receive an Ingenious award by the Royal Academy of Engineering.
Funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, it offers grants of up to £30,000 to support creative public engagement schemes which cover a variety of topics, including climate change, sport, cultural heritage, and increasing diversity and inclusion in the field.
Senior Lecturer in the School of Art, Design and Performance at the University of Portsmouth, Dr Matt Smith, has led the workshops.
Our workshops have given researchers and engineers the confidence to better connect with the public.
He said: “Our workshops have given researchers and engineers the confidence to better connect with the public. Not only have they learnt puppetry, but they’ve also walked away with the communication and presentation skills needed to share their stories, passion, and expertise.
“We’re inviting people to come along and meet the puppets, and chat to the experts themselves in a relaxed and informal environment.”
The puppet showcase will take place at White Swan Studios, Portsmouth, on Tuesday (May 23) between 6-8pm.
Tickets are available for free here.