Exeter professor illuminates school children on light and colour

Professor Vukusic, who worked as a teacher before becoming one of Exeter’s team of world-leading research physicists, will look at questions such as: “What is light? How is it produced, how do we see it and why is it so important to the world around us? And colour: how exactly is colour related to light and why is it so essential to us?”

The one-hour talks are part of the annual Tyndall Lecture series in Ireland. This year’s lectures aim not only to describe and illustrate the basic concepts of the science of light and colour but also to explain how technology is making the most of light’s astonishing properties.

The Tyndall series, organised by the Institute of Physics in Ireland, is aimed at 15-18 year olds and involves lectures over two months at eight locations across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Professor Vukusic said: “I am extremely honoured to have been chosen as the Institute of Physics Schools Lecturer for Ireland for 2011. It is a wonderful opportunity to be able to enthuse, inspire and amaze the students of Ireland with the beauty and excitement of the world of physics.

“The University has a fantastic track record in science communication and in both national and international physics outreach activity. I am extremely happy to be continuing this valuable tradition.”

It is the second time that Professor Vukusic, a specialist in the physics of light and colour, has been chosen for a national schools lecture series: three years ago he delivered the Institute of Physics schools lectures to secondary pupils at 45 venues across the UK.

The first talk will be held on Tuesday, 18 January at University College Cork at 12 noon and then again at 2pm. Professor Vukusic will also visit IT Waterford, University of Limerick, Royal Dublin Society, Queen’s University Belfast, Thornhill College Derry, NUI Galway and IT Carlow.

Professor Vukusic leads natural photonics research at Exeter. Investigations into natural structural colour began at the university in 1998/9. Iridescence in butterflies and moths was central to the original project but has been diversified to include a much broader range of animals. The team is using design ideas gleaned from its research into natural photonics for development towards applications in other technologies (http://newton.ex.ac.uk/butterflies).

For further information on the Tyndall series, please visit: http://www.iopireland.org/Calendar/index.html or contact the University press office at pressoffice@exeter.ac.uk or +44 1392 722307 and +44 1392 722405.