Ideas@Alleyns: Impressive keynote science lecture from Dr. Jess Wade

March 1st 2024

We were delighted to have Material Scientist, Dr. Jess Wade, join us last night as part of the Ideas@Alleyn’s series.

Dr. Wade, a Royal Society University Research Fellow and Lecturer in Functional Materials in the Department of Materials at Imperial College London, is an expert in her field and has been involved in several science communication and outreach initiatives.

Talking points of Dr. Wade’s lecture included showcasing how physicists, chemists, and material scientists working together could create more efficient and sustainable technologies, and explaining how chiral molecular materials offer unique opportunities in electronics and quantum technologies due to the unique combination of their optical, electronic, and magnetic properties.

Mrs. Lunnon was buzzing off the back of Dr. Wade's talk, saying, ‘What an incredible talk from the awesome Dr. Jess Wade here at Alleyn’s tonight. It was such a privilege to hear this amazing scientist talk about the beauty in quantum physics and material science.

'The luminary and powerhouse that is Dr. Jess Wade was absolutely enthralling as she laid out the importance of diversity in scientific breakthroughs and made material science sound like the most enjoyable pastime ever.

'Dr. Wade has worked hard to raise the profile of female scientists and scientists from diverse backgrounds, and she reminded our pupils of their own agency in this space. (She has personally added the biographies of 4,000 previously unknown scientists to Wikipedia. A formidable achievement and a clear demonstration of the way molehills can move mountains if the will is there.) It really was an honour to welcome her to our school and I hope she will return soon.'

A huge thanks to Dr. Wade for joining us and inspiring the impressionable minds of the Alleyn’s community with her brilliant work and outtake.

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