Danielle M Farrugia is the senior executive of science engagement at the Marketing, Alumni and Communications Office and lectures in science communication at the University of Malta. She has previously taught Science and Physics at secondary school level She is also one of the contributing editors of Sounds of Science published in the Sunday Times of Malta. Dr Farrugia has just finalised her doctoral studies in public engagement with science, at the University of Malta. She also won the 2024 Esplora Non-formal STEM educator award.
Danielle is currently the consultant of Malta Café Scientifique and presenter and founder of the science program Radio Mocha on Radju Malta. She aims to bring science closer to several publics by organising such events in the hope of bringing more awareness of science and scientific technology. She is very interested in science communication by creating opportunities where researchers, citizens and other stakeholders are given the opportunity to interact with each other. Recent projects include managing a light installation where thousands of participants interacted with the installation, together with the artists, a science communicator, and a quantum physicist, about how light pushes stuff (http://bit.ly/LPSvideoSITC2017) as part of a 10 million Euro EU project on Hybrid Optomechanical Technologies (HOT). She has worked on several initiatives to encourage, enable, and empower girls and women to pursue further studies in science and technology. Activities included having a pop-up exhibition, the She Can exhibition, going to secondary schools to celebrate 26 local women in science and technology, videos to break gender stereotypes, and summer camps. She spearheaded the first Unconventional Science Careers open days for the past three years. Each year, nearly a thousand 11-12-year-old students visit various science faculties at the University of Malta [/marketingcommunications/steam/follow-your-dream-career/ ]. Students participate in interactive, hands-on activities on ongoing research projects and science principles. The event facilitates the exchange of knowledge and ideas, creating an invaluable opportunity for inspiration to follow scientific subjects.
