Watch Support Search What's on Education Christmas Lectures Our history About Blog About → Organisation → Team → Senior Management → Gail Cardew → Gail Cardew Director of Science and Education Credit: Royal Institution About Dr Gail Cardew is Director of Science and Education at the Royal Institution, where she is responsible for the strategic development of the Royal Institution’s science communication, science education and science policy activities. She is also Chair of the board that governs the strategic direction of the Euroscience Open Forum and selects host cities – the ESOF Supervisory Board, as well as a member of the Advisory Board for the Gothenburg Science Festival, the AXA Scientific Search Committee, the European Institute of Science and Society and the Editorial Board of the Euroscientist. From 2006–2012 she was Vice President of Euroscience, and in 2012 she sat on the Canadian Foundation for Innovation Multidisciplinary Assessment Committee. Scientific inspiration Originally, my biology teachers, Mr Buckby and Mr Savile, for wonderful field trips on boats and beaches, and for introducing me to John Maynard Smith. Discovering that JMS would lecture me was one of my reasons for going to Sussex University. I loved how he applied the elegance of mathematics to the messiness of biology. Then Chris Ford, my developmental biology lecturer and subsequently DPhil supervisor, for opening my eyes to so many unanswered questions. Favourite experiment/demo Definitely ones that make the audience think further about what they’re observing. When Bruce Hood did a live demonstration of locust neurons firing, you could see the students in the audience on the edge of their seats and whispering excitedly to each other. Best things about the Ri That the founding principles over 200 years ago are even more relevant today. The original document contains this wonderful statement: ‘To point out the causes which impede this (scientific) progress, and to invite the public to join in effectually removing them, is the purpose of the present address’. That the Ri staff are so amazingly dedicated and talented. They all love the history of this place, but are able to reinterpret it in fresh and interesting ways in order to capture public attention and engage them in scientific discovery and discussion. That mirror in the Library. Without a doubt the most beautiful object in the building. Related content The Ri's mission and vision Find out more Education Find out more What's On Find out more CHRISTMAS LECTURES 2011: Bruce Hood - What's in your head? Watch Learn Masterclasses L'Oréal Young Scientist Centre Events for the whole family Science shows Interactive games Christmas Lectures Visit News What's On Food & Drink The Faraday Museum Heritage tours Find us Support Donate to the Ri Join the Ri Renew your Membership Corporate Partnerships 14-10 Club Events Jobs Keep in touch Keep up to date with regular emails from the Ri © Royal Institution 2013 Facebook Twitter Youtube Venue Hire Press T&Cs Privacy Policy Accessibility Contact Us