About the Sessions

The Twilight Sessions offer:

• Lectures and teaching seminars from experts in various STEM fields
• Hands-on activities to excite and enlighten participants
• Opportunities for pupils and the Haileybury community to explore advanced STEM topics
• Sessions are hosted in the state-of-the-art lecture space on the first floor of our Research Centre

Recent Distinguished Speakers

Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell

Discovered the Pulsar classification of stars while a PhD student at Cambridge University in 1967.

Professor Dame Bell Burnell delivered a Haileybury Lecture titled You Are Made Of Star Stuff in which she demonstrated how astrophysicists have traced the origin of each of the elements contained within the human body back to the structure and function of the stars across the universe.

Dr. Christian Baker

Research Fellow, King’s College London

Dr. Baker’s lecture provided insights into:

• Development of miniature, fibre-optic ultrasound sensors and transmitters
• Using laser light to generate and detect ultrasound at the tip of hair-thin optical fibres
• Applications in surgical needle positioning and microscopic tissue imaging

Sir Professor Martyn Poliakoff

University of Nottingham, Fellow of the Royal SocietyProfessor Poliakoff, a world leader in supercritical fluids and green chemistry, discussed:

• Advancements in green chemistry
• His work on the popular YouTube channel Periodic Videos
• Career advice for A-level and IB Chemistry pupils

Professor Stephen Blundell

Professor Blundell, University of Oxford, Condensed Matter Physics Department – an expert in quantum magnetism – shared insights on:

• The strange and unique behaviours of constrained magnetic systems
• Potential impacts of quantum magnetism on future technologies
• His work as an author and science communicator

Dr. Deborah Brown

Cambridge

Dr. Brown, a Cambridge Medical Lecturer specialising in the social aspects of health, delivered a talk titled “The Social Context of Medicine.” In her presentation, she explored how social context influences health outcomes, highlighting the profound impact of factors such as social support and socioeconomic circumstances on morbidity and mortality. She also discussed how sociology is integrated into the university’s medical curriculum.

Miss Karis Clifton

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)

Miss Karis Clifton, a Senior Scientist at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) with expertise in developing pharmaceuticals for paediatric care, delivered an insightful lecture on paediatric pharmacology. In her talk, she discussed the unique challenges and considerations involved in formulating and testing medications for children, and highlighted the importance of tailored approaches to ensure safety and efficacy in younger patients. Her lecture provided valuable insights into the field of paediatric drug development and its vital role in improving child health outcomes.

Join Us for Future Sessions

The Twilight Sessions represent Haileybury’s dedication to providing cutting-edge STEM education and inspiration.

We warmly invite pupils, parents, and community members to join us for these enlightening evenings of discovery and learning.

Stay tuned for announcements of upcoming Twilight Sessions and be part of Haileybury’s journey into the future of STEM!