The Ogden Outreach Awards celebrates physics outreach and recognise the efforts of those involved in developing and delivering it. Here we speak with Tara, a PhD student at the Cavendish Laboratory and the recipient of the 2024 Ogden Trust Student Ambassador Award. Tara shares her passion for outreach, inspiring the next generation of scientists.
Congratulations on winning the Ogden Trust Student Ambassador Award for Physics Outreach, Tara! Can you tell us a bit about the projects you're working on at the moment?
Thank you so much! Right now, I'm working on a variety of projects. One of my favorites is a self-published coloring book called The Adventures of Qubit the Cat. Through this book, I aim to introduce younger audiences to the world of quantum computing in a way that's fun and not as intimidating as it might sound! I think it’s so important to show that complex topics like quantum physics can be approachable—and even enjoyable—when presented in the right way.
Alongside that, I’m passionate about teaching. I currently teach both at the University of Cambridge and work with high school students, which I absolutely love. There’s nothing quite like that moment when a student finally understands a tricky concept they’ve been struggling with. It’s that ‘Aha!’ moment that really makes teaching so fulfilling for me.
I’m also a strong advocate for women in science and history, and have been working on a blog series where I interview various professors at Cambridge and are available online, as well as a series of videos where I speak about women in history! Growing up, I was one of only three girls in my undergraduate class studying theoretical physics and my goal now is to inspire more young girls to see themselves as future scientists too!
Outreach seems to be a key focus for you. Why is it so important to you personally?
Outreach has always been incredibly important to me, especially when it comes to physics and science. When I was younger, I didn’t even know what a scientist really did, or that being a scientist was even a realistic career path! In my mind, a scientist was always an old man with wild hair, like Einstein. It wasn’t until I read Marie Curie’s autobiography that I realized, "Wait, *I* can be a scientist too." That was a game-changing moment for me.
I think it’s so crucial to show people—especially young students—that science is not just for the smartest person in the room or the stereotypical "mad scientist." It's for anyone who’s curious and wants to explore the world around them. I want to help break down these barriers and show students that science is for everyone.
That sounds incredible! What are your next steps, and what’s on the horizon for you?
I’m really excited about what's next! Right now, I’m working on the next installment of The Adventures of Qubit the Cat, which I hope will continue to make quantum physics less intimidating and more accessible to younger audiences. I want kids to feel empowered and curious, not afraid of subjects like physics.
In addition to that, I’ve begun working on a public speaking platform with Chris Macdonald, who has recently won several awards for his contributions. Public speaking was something I struggled with when I was younger—I had such bad anxiety about it! Now, I want to help others overcome those fears. This platform is really starting to take off, and I’m excited to see how it can help people find their voice and build their confidence.
It sounds like you’re making a huge impact in both education and science outreach! Thanks again for sharing your journey with us, Tara, and congratulations again on the award!
Thank you and thank you to the Ogden Trust! It’s been a pleasure to chat with you. I can’t wait to see where the next chapter takes me, and I’m so grateful for the opportunities to continue making a difference!
