LJMU scientist wins silver award in Parliament

Dr Claire Burke, an Astro-ecologist at LJMU’s Astrophysics Research Institute, was awarded the silver prize for physical sciences in Parliament at STEM for BRITAIN.

Claire was shortlisted from hundreds of applicants to present her physics research to a range of politicians and a panel of expert judges.

Her poster on her research using knowledge from astrophysics to help conservation of endangered animals on Earth was judged against dozens of other scientists’ research in the only national competition of its kind.

On presenting her research in Parliament, she said, “I'm really delighted to have won the silver award. STEM for Britain is a great opportunity to share new research with our leaders in government and publicize cutting edge work. For me it was the perfect place to show that astrophysics has applications here on Earth, and how we can use it to solve major societal problems.”

Stephen Metcalfe MP, Chairman of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee, said:

“This annual competition is an important date in the parliamentary calendar because it gives MPs an opportunity to speak to a wide range of the country’s best young researchers.

“These early career engineers, mathematicians and scientists are the architects of our future and STEM for BRITAIN is politicians’ best opportunity to meet them and understand their work.”