World scientists meet with Stawell community

Dark matter scientists from the Centre and across the world travelled to Stawell to meet with the local community, education, business and government representatives and discuss current and future research.

Members of the International Scientific Advisory Committee (ISAC) traveled from around the world to attend the meeting and community event.

The Centre co-hosted a lively community engagement event in partnership with the Stawell Underground Physics Laboratory (SUPL), where invited guests from the Northern Grampians Shire Council, Regional Development Victoria, the Stawell Gold Mine, Science Teachers Association of Victoria, local secondary school principals and science teachers and local business owners met with the ISAC and Centre members.

The VIP session was followed by a drop in meet and greet with the general public in Stawell. SUPL related research posters were on display along with the Centre’s outreach materials and information on the proposed Dark Matter Experience Centre.

ISAC members who attended the Stawell meeting included chair Priscilla Cushman, Steve Buckman, Tony Gherghetta, Sean Paling, Jordan Nash and Tom Browder. Centre Advisory Board member and former SUPL board chair Sue Barrell, Kim Mintern-Lane and Steven Rushbrook of SUPL also attended.

The committee heard research updates from across the range of research at the Centre, and about the education research project on the impact of outreach (in local Stawell high schools) on the uptake of STEM subjects by students. The committee provided valuable advice and feedback.  

ISAC members and Centre researchers also visited SUPL, with Boulby Underground Laboratory Director Sean Paling providing valuable advice to SUPL on Boulby’s journey to becoming a globally recognised underground research facility.