Ella Jefferies

How have you benefitted from your physics outreach work at university, both professionally and personally?

It really improved my confidence as I was quite shy starting university, but talking to the public about the interesting things I had learned helped me grow in my communication skills. It also gave me a greater network of people to talk to, from the different age ranges of people visiting the observatory, to the variety in educational stages within the outreach team. This helped enrich the different experiences and viewpoints that I listen to, and even helped guide my next steps in my educational career.

What hints or tips would you give to other students who are thinking of getting involved in outreach?

Even if you’re not the most confident, outgoing person, go for it! You grow so much as a person throughout your time working in outreach and even if it doesn’t go to plan, you get to learn how to become better all the time. It also helps consolidate and refresh any learning you do it lectures and the questions from kids certainly widens your knowledge and interests in topics you might not normally consider.

“Ella is a wonderful outreach and public engagement ambassador. Her enthusiasm for physics and her ability to engage others make a lasting impact on both students and staff.”
Shanti Pise, University of Hertfordshire