What If...? New SNC-Led Seminar Brings Researchers Together

The new IPAS Science Network Committee (SNC) held its first What If...? seminar, aimed at connecting researchers and students across career stages and disciplines.

The first session of the series was a great success. IPAS members from a wide range of fields came together to explore thought-provoking scientific questions in a relaxed and engaging setting. Participants, from PhD students to lab-leading academics, joined small groups to discuss ideas, share perspectives, and explore possible answers. The format encouraged thoughtful conversation and helped build useful connections across different research areas.

Eighteen attendees took part, tackling questions that ranged from small and specific to large and future-looking. Engineering, physics, chemistry, and biology expertise were brought together, sparking innovative thinking around challenges raised by the IPAS community. A highlight of the day was seeing how solution pathways emerged for questions that, without IPAS-wide interdisciplinary support, might have remained unanswered. Outcomes included introductions to new people and groups, technical experiment advice, and insights into procedures used to solve similar problems in other fields.

The SNC is planning future events, including both themed sessions and the more rapid-fire problem-solving format, to continue supporting collaboration across the IPAS community. Well done to organisers and participants on a great event.