Two Aberdeen based students have battled it out against other science loving students to win a bursary to attend this year’s British Science Festival, one of Europe’s largest science festivals.

Diana Feliciano, a 1st year PhD student studying greenhouse gas budgeting and management with the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, is one of two students who will be attending the festival, courtesy of The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, which is set to take place at the University of Surrey in Guildford from 5-10 September 2009. The other winner is Emma Woodham, a 1st year Biochemistry student at the University of Aberdeen.

“Emma and Diana successfully explained their interest in science and explained why they would like to attend the British Science Festival”, said Clare Neely, PR and Communications Manager at the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute. “Students of all subjects were encouraged to apply as we will be taking our successful Murder, Mystery & Microscopes event to the festival which covers literature and communication as well as biology, physics and geography themes.”

“I am so pleased to be one of the winners”, says Diana. “As I have recently started my PhD I am now reading as much as I can and trying to be informed about the novelties and developments in relation to climate change, my area of study. As it is a hot topic I believe it will be on the agenda of this festival and the opportunity to listen to important researchers will certainly be helpful for my own research and project development.”

Emma added, “For me there are so many reasons why science is fascinating. Its sheer diversity is truly remarkable and the opportunities it provides for us in our world today could never have been imagined a hundred years ago.”

“Our scientific knowledge is advancing more rapidly than ever before and the way which science progresses from here is in the hands of my generation, and I want to play a part. This is why I have chosen to study Biochemistry at Aberdeen University so I can have a career learning about the molecular side of science. Being able to take part in the British Science Festival will be an excellent opportunity to further my knowledge, meet new people and witness cutting edge science delivered by today’s experts.”

The week long festival is the biggest celebration of science, engineering and technology in Europe providing an excellent opportunity for students to engage in a wide range of science topics, participate in debates, and meet leading scientists. All of the events featured are tailored for non-science specialists, as are the debates, exhibitions and social events which form an important part of the experience. The festival will also be joining in the national celebrations of Darwin 200 marking 200 years since the birth of Charles Darwin by exploring his scientific ideas and the impacts they made.

ENDS

Information for Editors

The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute was founded in 1930 and is an international centre for research and consultancy on the environmental and social consequences of rural land uses. With an annual income from research and consultancy of over £11m, the Institute is the largest interdisciplinary research organisation of its kind in Europe, and aims to provide evidence to help shape future environmental and rural-development policy on a national and international basis. For further information, visit www.macaulay.ac.uk

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