Exploring a career in science

Encouraging those with an interest in science to pursue a career in the field will be the focus of a presentation from Dr Julia Playford during National Science Week at USQ next week.

Dr Playford, who is the Director of the Freshwater and Marine Sciences unit at the Queensland Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will discuss her role at the EPA and also the opportunities that exist within science based careers.

'At the moment there is a difficulty in finding employable science graduates because a lot of times unlike other professions they can't see a job at the other end,' Dr Playford said.

'What I want to do is show people that this is not the case and there are a lot of jobs that you can get through science.'

After an interesting journey, which started in Western Australia, Dr Playford said that science has opened up many doors for her.

'Initially I studied at the University of Western Australia (UWA) where I received a degree in botany, after which I received my PhD from the Australian National University (ANU) in molecular biology,' she said.

'From there I was a lecturer at the University of Queensland (UQ) for seven years and then took up a position at the EPA.

'Through my science degrees I have held several exciting jobs and this is something that I hope to pass onto people during my Science Week presentation.'

Dr Playford will be one of three speakers to present as part of USQ's National Science Week activities.

'On Tuesday (August 21 2007), Peter Morris who is from MSF (Doctors without Borders) will speak about his experiences working in health in countries such as Bosnia and Tanzania,' USQ National Science Week organiser Andrea Brosnan said.

'Then after Julia, who is presenting the following night, Dr Penny Sweetser, who is a game designer at the Creative Assembly, will talk on IT on Thursday night.'

To kick off National Science Week, USQ will also present a special science show as part of the Toowoomba campuses Open Day on Sunday (August 19 2007).

'There will be a magical science show for primary aged children at the Open Day, where kids will be able to take part in hands-on activities and demonstrations to experience the fun and excitement of science,' Ms Brosnan said.

The magical science show will be open between 10am and 3pm during Open Day, while each of the evening presentations will run from 5:45pm to 7pm in the Alison Dickson Lecture Theatre.

For more information on USQ's National Science Week events contact Andrea Brosnan on 07 4631 2732.

Media Contact: Josh Ada, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 1628