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MSc Physics

About MSc. Physics:


Students on this module learn to communicate their skills and experience to a broad audience and make topics in physics accessible for all. They will present their understanding of topics to audiences through techniques, which can include vlogging, infographics, patents, apps, outreach experiments, and articles in the style of ‘The Conversation’, a network of non-profit media outlets.


Project Details:

Each year, our physics students engage in a dynamic Science Communication Project, emphasising the dissemination of scientific research in the digital age and mutually benefitting a local organisation. Working with clients from various sectors, including academic institutions, public organisations, and the third sector, students create impactful content to effectively communicate scientific topics relevant to the organisation to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.


You will collaborate with a dedicated team of (approx.) 5 students, presenting them with a detailed brief outlining your communication objectives. To ensure the project aligns with your vision, occasional brief meetings will be arranged either online or in person at your
convenience, allowing you to provide guidance and feedback throughout the process.

Students benefit by gaining real-life experience in a community setting and working on a client brief, and the organisation gains students with physics expertise for a relevant project.


Examples of previous projects:

  • Developing the science museum exhibits for the public at Green’s Mill
  • Running science workshops for Primary school children for the Festival of Science and Curiosity
  • Raising Awareness for Sherwood observatory on campus and in town
  • Running astronomy workshops for those from low socio-economic backgrounds in Mansfield Library
    Giving public talks and demonstrations at Sherwood Observator

The Science Communication module is all about getting students from diverse backgrounds to show their enthusiasm for science to people that they can have an amazing impact on. It builds their skills, their civic-mindedness, and most of all their creativity. It also provides an outlet for positive mental wellbeing activities and helping the local community.

community.” Ian Whittaker – Senior Lecturer, Physics and Maths

Indicative timeline and what’s involved:

April – September 2024 – Complete the Community Engaged Learning Project Proposal Form. A member of the Community Engagement and Volunteering Team can support you with this.

September 2024 – Attend a Project Co-creation Workshop held at NTU. This will allow you to spend time with Academic Teams to fine-tune your project proposals ready to introduce to students.

End of November 2024 - Students will be introduced to project options – It would be fantastic if you were able to come onto Campus (Clifton) and introduce your project to our students. We do understand that time is tight, so if you are unable to attend in person, we could either facilitate this session as a Teams call, or you could prerecord a short introductory video; again, we can support you with this!

November 2024 to End of January 2025 – Meet with the students, academic staff and the Community Engagement and Volunteering Team throughout the project (approx. once a week) to ensure all is going to plan.

February 2025 – Feedback with the module team to inform on how the project went and any positives or improvements for future years. This information will be anonymised and used in student reflection for all groups.