Shows and Public Lectures
A few of my recent shows and public lectures... please use the contact link to enquire about booking.
Particle accelerators aren't just for studying particle physics. They have an immense range of applications, from treating cancer to purifying drinking water. Suzie Sheehy will show us how accelerators actually work, highlight her research controlling high power proton beams and imagine what they may be capable of in the future.
Suzie once again took to the main stage at the Big Bang Fair at the NEC in Birmingham, co-presenting the headline show alongside TV presenter and food writer Stefan Gates and mathematician Dr. Hannah Fry (UCL).
The show, called ‘Gastronaut and the Quantum Mechanical Chocolate Factory’ was performed to a 1500-seat audience 8 times during the week, to total audience of over 10,000. Suzie’s segment this year was a real challenge in science communication, presenting quantum mechanics concepts to children as young as 10 or 11 years old. But food came to the rescue as the team developed quantum mechanical fluorescent jelly strings, a giant atom model and a crowd-pleasing glowing phosphorescent wall. Not to mention Suzie’s liquid nitrogen finale creating instant strawberry flavored clouds.
This show was the third headline show that Stefan and Suzie have presented together, this year described as ‘a fantastic Wonkaesque show in which maths is beautiful, science is amazing, technology is spectacular and engineering is wrapped in chocolate.’ The feedback so far has been incredible. A particular favourite of Suzie’s was the audience member who tweeted the team afterwards saying “Great show today. My 11yo was using your glowing demo to explain quantum physics to her gran!”
Particle accelerators are some of the most advanced machines on the planet. They incorporate an impressive range of cutting-edge technology to do what seems like a simple job – to give subatomic particles energy. So what would happen if we tried to use them in unexpected ways? With the help of demonstrations, accelerator physicist Dr. Suzie Sheehy will discuss her top five things you should never do with a particle accelerator… and a few things you definitely should.
Below video: Presented for the IOP's Physics in Perspective event at the Royal Institution of Great Britain in 2013.
Accelerators are a technology that have truly changed our lives, and changed the way we understand the world around us. Less than 100 years ago particle accelerators were nothing more than a dream, yet today they have become an integral part of modern life, from medicine to mobile phone technology. This talk will give you a behind-the-scenes look at how particle accelerators work, provide a glimpse of what these cutting-edge machines can do for you, and speculate on where they are heading in the future.