Thought Leaders Archives

Thought Leaders

Engineering change: Redefining STEM education at NMITE

Engineering education is evolving, and the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) is leading the way. Breaking away from traditional models, NMITE champions real-world problem-solving, teamwork, and inclusivity, offering a fresh approach to creating future-ready engineers. In this interview with Research Outreach, we explore NMITE’s philosophy, innovative teaching methods, and its commitment to diversity in STEM. How do […]

Thought Leaders

Size matters:The link between social groups and human evolution

Humans are social creatures; we live in family groups, socialise with friends, and work with colleagues. Evolutionary psychologist Robin Dunbar’s ‘social brain hypothesis’ suggests that brain size is directly related to social group size in mammals. The bigger the group, the bigger the brain. In this interview with Research Outreach, we find out how Dunbar developed his theory as well […]

Thought Leaders

Photonic Inc: Creating relevant, scalable, and distributed quantum computing

Quantum technologies are an exciting prospect for our future and naturally interdisciplinary in solving complex questions. Dr Stephanie Simmons, Founder and Chief Quantum Officer at Photonic, is at the forefront of driving the technical vision for next-generation quantum technologies. Photonic is a leader in distributed quantum computing in silicon and designs and manufactures large-scale, distributed, and fault-tolerant quantum computers – transforming material […]

Thought Leaders

Resilience, scepticism, and mRNA: The story of Katalin Karikó

The COVID-19 pandemic presented the world’s governments and health organisations with a vaccination challenge on a scale it had never experienced before. Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines were critical in the production and distribution of affordable vaccines across the globe. Katalin Karikó’s 40 years of research into mRNA was the cornerstone of what made this possible. In this interview, we find […]

Research Outreach Blog

Where is the magic? What exactly is a neural network and how does it work?

The futuristic sounding ‘multi-layer perceptron’ is a term sometimes used for a neural network, or artificial neural network to be more precise. They are everywhere today, eager to tell you which turn to take at the next junction, keen to confirm your face is indeed your face when you log in to your bank account, and duty bound in suggesting […]

Thought Leaders

Manijeh Razeghi: The curious life of communication physics

Professor Manijeh Razeghi of Northwestern University, USA, is a pioneer in the world of semiconductors and optoelectronic devices. She was central to the optical fibre telecommunication revolution in the 1980s and 1990s – an integral part of the subsequent information age. In this interview with Research Outreach, Razeghi reveals why she is just as passionate and curious now as when […]

Thought Leaders

The National Physical Laboratory: Driving innovation with new quantum standards

In today’s world, establishing global standards for quantum is paramount. The National Physical Laboratory (NPL), alongside several partners, have launched the Quantum Standards Network Pilot, focusing on quantum in industry, new quantum technologies, and skills and training opportunities for the future. Rhys Lewis, head of Quantum Programmes at NPL, discusses aligning quantum advancements with industry standards and collaborations across sectors, […]

Thought Leaders

Proofig AI: An AI tool to ensure image integrity in scientific publications

Proofig AI is an innovative and reflexive AI-powered proofing tool, aimed at researchers, editors, institutes, and publishers. The tool aims to identify the improper usage of images in scientific publishing and beyond. Research Outreach spoke with Dr Dror Kolodkin-Gal, the founder of Proofig AI. He shares insight into the challenges scientific publishing faces with the publication of fraudulent manuscripts, and […]

Thought Leaders

Science, AI, and securing a sustainable future

Around 95% of the world’s population agree with the concept of sustainable development goals (SDGs) as a way of building a sustainable future in the face of the climate crisis. But SDGs come with a hefty price tag. Stefan Brunnhuber is a clinician and socioeconomist who believes the solution to this conundrum is a switch in the global mindset. Sustainability […]

Thought Leaders

Trust, truth, and representation. The New York Academy of Sciences

The New York Academy of Sciences is one of the oldest scientific organizations in the United States and has been a place to exchange ideas since 1817. In the 21st century, the science may have changed, but its mission remains: to drive innovative solutions to society’s challenges by advancing scientific research, education, and policy. In this interview with CEO and […]