In February 2026, PhD researchers Joshua Leeson (CDT In Resilient Chemistry)  and Christine Paul (CDT In Sustainable Chemistry) took part in Nottinghamshire Festival of Science and Curiosity , an initiative that brings scientists and researchers out of the lab and into community spaces across Nottinghamshire.
Together with colleagues from the Food, Water, Waste research group, they ran a lively hands-on water filtration activity where children built their own filters using different materials. Once geared up as scientists, participants experimented with how each layer worked and explored what makes an effective water filter.
The session sparked plenty of curiosity, with lots of enthusiasm from the children and great conversations about the many different ways people can be scientists.
A big thank you Kundai Vurayayi & Rachel Louise Gomes and to the organisers and everyone involved in making the event such a fun and engaging experience for young scientists!