Moving Microbes – The Art and Science of Public Engagement

Are you a researcher interested in sharing your research with non-scientists? Are you a PhD, post-doc or PI that’s never done public engagement before or are you wanting to get more experience sharing and reframing your research to new and different audiences?

At ASCUS we have 10 years of experience working with artists and scientists at different stages of their career, exploring the space between disciplines with the aim of opening up new ways of looking at, talking about and seeing the world around us. Through the lab we want to celebrate and highlight the creative approaches that are essential for the progression of both fields and working with you, the researchers doing the research, is key to doing this in a ‘real’ and meaningful way! For this workshop we invite you to come along to ASCUS Lab to play and get creative with microbes and discover this unique venue for public engagement. Why do audiences attend art-science events and workshops, what do they experience and how does this support new ways to build understanding of and appreciation for both disciplines?

During this workshop you will have the opportunity to get hands-on with a range of moving microbes from the ASCUS Lab collection. The different experiments will include creating responsive drawings with bioluminescent and pigmented bacteria, to setting up new environments for the illusive slime mould to navigate, so come experience for yourself what this unique facility has to has to offer!

No previous experience in art or microbiology necessary!

What we will create on the day…

More about ASCUS Lab

ASCUS Lab is a trans-disciplinary space to produce, debate, create and carry out lab based experimentation and research and explore its role in the arts, sciences and in society in general. The space aims to interrogate the way science and art are produced, how the public is engaged and the role of both in making these disciplines more accessible to public audiences.

The Lab creates a shared physical space for scientists, artists and the public to interact directly with the tools and ideas of art and science through doing, making and experimenting. The lab provides a supported environment for public engagement training towards the development of independent workshops with space and access to scientific equipment.