New partnership to inspire the next generation of scientists

Northumbria University and the International Centre for Life (Life) have agreed a new strategic partnership to boost science education and engagement across the North East.

The new agreement builds on 15 years of collaboration between the two organisations which has helped bridge the gap between academia and the community, engaging people across the region with science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

Life celebrates its milestone 25th birthday in May and this agreement reinforces its wide-ranging programme to engage people from all backgrounds in STEM underpinned with Northumbria University’s world-leading research and academic expertise.

Under the new agreement, signed by Northumbria University’s Vice Chancellor Andy Long and Life Chief Executive Linda Conlon, the two organisations will work more closely to co-create opportunities for research and public engagement to promote awareness of and access to STEM-based education and careers.

Academics from Northumbria will work with colleagues from Life on various research projects, including studies involving Life Science Centre visitors. Recently visitors to Life had the chance to take part in research led by Northumbria academics which could protect astronauts from injury during future missions to the Moon.

Life will also work closely with Northumbria University to showcase Northumbria’s expertise through exhibitions, events and hands-on activities that make cutting-edge research accessible and interesting to various audiences.

The partnership includes a PhD studentship by Amelia Doran, who will be based at Life studying playful digital experiences and how to support children to learn from their mistakes, fostering creativity, and reducing fear of failure.

Professor Andy Long, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Northumbria University, said: “This partnership with Life is a perfect alignment of missions. We are both deeply committed to inspiring communities and tackling global challenges through science. By building on our work together, we can continue to ensure that our research doesn’t just stay in the lab, but reaches classrooms, communities, and curious minds of all ages.”

The partnership also serves as a basis for a continuing programme of activity to enhance STEM education through school programmes, workshops, and other initiatives designed to spark curiosity and confidence in science, with a particular focus on under-served communities. This builds on Life’s longstanding relationship with NUSTEM, Northumbria’s outreach group which works with schools across the North East to provide activities and opportunities for children to engage with the STEM subjects.

Linda Conlon, Chief Executive of the International Centre for Life, added: “This new agreement reflects a rich history of collaboration between Life and Northumbria University which has been grounded in our shared commitment to making science accessible and relevant to all.

“It comes at a significant moment as our 25th birthday marks a milestone in Life’s journey and with growing career opportunities across the sector, it has never been more important to equip young people with the skills and ambition to pursue a future in STEM.”

Another key aim of the collaboration is to offer opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate students to develop skills and experience in STEM careers through placements and live projects, which are mutually beneficial to both organisations and to student experience. Northumbria aims to embed experiential learning into all its programmes – connecting the theory and knowledge learned in the classroom to real-world situations.

“We look forward to working even more closely with Life to further develop skills, to share new knowledge, to unlock potential and to create opportunity in the region and beyond,” added Professor Long.

Northumbria also has successful partnerships with New Writing North, Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art the British Film Institute (BFI), Live Theatre and North East Museums, formerly Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums. The partnership between the University and the International Centre for Life will further strengthen the region’s cultural prominence.

For more information about Northumbria University's partnerships, visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/our-partners/.

To learn more about Life Science Centre, visit www.life.org.uk.