On April 7, 2025, the Net0MM team organized a series of events to welcome Prof. Mark Miodownik from the UK, centering on science communication and the future of sustainable economy.
The day began with a roundtable discussion focused on effective strategies for engaging the public in science. In addition to Mark’s participation, three other panelists shared insights on public outreach and educational tools – Tom Cummins (Director of Exhibits, Science World), Jesse Brydle (Science Educator, Science World), and long-time Net0MM collaborator and program committee member, Love-Ese Chile. Each speaker brought a unique perspective to the table: Tom emphasized the power of play as a tool for science communication, while Jesse spoke about translating complex scientific ideas into accessible concepts for young kids and teenagers while preserving the essence of science. Love-Ese highlighted the role of experimentation and creativity in the lab, reminding the audiences about a playful, exploratory approach to research. Lastly, Mark shared lessons from his citizen science projects, underlining the value of public participation in accelerating data collection and fostering broader engagement with science.
In the afternoon, Mark delivered a public lecture titled “The Death of Consumerism and How We Engineer a More Sustainable Future” in the Auditorium at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum. He emphasized the incompatibility between our current consumerism system – which heavily relied on rapid product turnover – and the urgent need to meet climate and net-zero goals. Throughout his presentation, he showcased his research projects and case studies around the world, which focused on innovations aimed at increasing repairability and recyclability. He also underscored the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and that bringing together the arts, social sciences, and engineering are essential to building a sustainable future.
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