EQUS researcher part of winning Sciathon team
Congratulations to EQUS researcher Dr Eugene Sachkou, who was part of the winning team in the 'communicating climate change' category of Online Sciathon 2020.
Eugene's team, led by Dr Márta Bisztray from the Centre for Economic and Regional Studies in Hungary, was one of three chosen by the Sciathon jury (from the 16 in their category) to present their work at Online Science Days 2020.
Their project looked at how to make action against climate change fashionable. They used a big-data approach to identify social-media influencers whose substantial reach and influence could be used effectively in the fight against climate change.
"Working on the climate change problem during Sciathon definitely broadened my understanding of the issue and invoked a lively interest in being active in this area," Dr Sachkou said. "The interdisciplinary aspects of these global issues and possible interdisciplinary solutions to them were cornerstone to the Online Science Days, and this interdisciplinarity resonated with me a lot. "It showed me that, as a physicist, I can actually contribute to solving global issues such as climate change and many others, even without having particular experience in those areas." Sciathon is a 48-hour science marathon, organised by the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings, where young scientists from the Lindau Meetings' community come together to tackle important scientific questions. This was the first time the event ran online. Online Science Days 2020 was held in lieu of the 70th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting, which has been postponed to 2021 as a result of the pandemic. |
Eugene after the announcement of the results of the 'communicating climate change' section of Online Sciathon. Image credit: Eugene Sachkou. |
Dr Sachkou and EQUS PhD student Sarah Lau both attended Online Science Days 2020, after being selected to represent Australia as Lindau delegates. They will—pandemic-permitting—also get the opportunity to attend the postponed 2021 meeting.
The Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings are very prestigious, and the 70th meeting, as an interdisciplinary one, was even more selective. Congratulations again to Eugene and Sarah on their selection!
Major funding support
The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems (EQUS) acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present.