Education and Outreach
The Education and Outreach Committee aims to enhance engagement, communication, and collaboration of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Optical Microcombs for Breakthrough Science (COMBS).
The committee will take a phased approach, focusing initially on understanding audience needs and building an outreach culture within COMBS, followed by targeted activities tailored to seven specific stakeholder groups, including:
- Education-related groups
- Undergraduate student outreach
- PhD/Early Career Researcher Education and Outreach
- Media engagement
- Government relations
- Public outreach
- COMBS researchers
Education-related Groups
Focus on improving science education at the secondary level by addressing the perception of science as dull and difficult, providing teachers with better resources and training, and showcasing the relevance of current research in classrooms.
Undergraduate Student Outreach
Address challenges such as career decision-making, financial pressures, and lack of awareness about career opportunities.
PhD/Early-Career Researcher Education and Outreach
Support the career development of our PhD students and early-career researchers (ECRs) by providing scientific leadership training, professional skills development, and opportunities for collaboration with industry
Media Engagement
Enhance visibility and promote COMBS research through compelling storytelling and collaboration with media outlets.
Government Relations
Engage with policymakers to raise awareness about COMBS research, demonstrate its potential societal and economic benefits, and secure long-term funding and support.
Our Current Opportunities
COMBS Summer Internship Program
We are inviting Australian and New Zealand undergraduate students in physics, engineering or other relevant discipline who have finished second or third year to work in the labs of one of the investigators for a period of 6 weeks for the 2024-2025 summer.
This opportunity is based at our various COMBS nodes around Australia.
Education and Outreach PhD role
Investigate how teachers can be supported to develop the confidence and knowledge to effectively bring the applications and discoveries of this frontier science into their teaching in a way that motivates and engages learners and contributes to the advancement of science education on a national scale.
Our vision
To increase engagement, improve the perception of science, enhance visibility and impact of COMBS research, and cultivate a vibrant and collaborative research community.
Our Education and Outreach Committee
Professor (Carel) Martijn de Sterke
Martijn is a theoretical physicist with interests in nonlinear optics, lasers, and theoretical mechanics.
Associate Professor Irina Kabakova
Irina is an optical physicist exploring advanced imaging techniques for modern biomedical optics, biology and bioengineering.
Professor Michael Murphy
Michael is an astrophysicist and helped to develop astrocombs to help measure tiny effects in astronomical objects of potentially fundamental importance for physics.
Professor Kishan Dholakia
Kishan is a biophotonics specialist with an interest in fundamental photonics and interdisciplinary science.
Professor David Lancaster
David is a laser researcher and inventor who is interested in sensing, defence and advanced manufacturing applications.