The National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), the British Embassy, the British Council, and L’Oréal hosted Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, one of the UK’s most distinguished scientists, for a special talk on 30 January 2020 at Compass Skyview Hotel in Bangkok.
Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell is an astrophysicist credited with one of the most significant astronomical achievements of the 20th Century. As a graduate student at the University of Cambridge she discovered pulsars, the by-products of supernova explosions which make life in the universe possible. Her observation was made together with her supervisor Antony Hewish who went on to receive the 1974 Nobel Prize in Physics for his role in the discovery. In 1978, she was awarded the $3-million Special Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics, the largest monetary award in science, and whose previous honorees include Stephen Hawking. She donated the prize award to fund scholarships to help women, refugees and people from ethnic minority groups build careers in science. Since then, Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell has become one of the UK's most prominent female scientists and a vocal advocate for increasing the role of women in science and supporting diversity in research.
On the occasion of her visit to Thailand, a special event “Reflections on Women in Science” was organized for female scientists in Thailand to meet and exchange views with Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell.
In the opening session, Ms. Margaret Tongue, Deputy Head of Mission, British Embassy Bangkok welcomed Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell and the Thai audience; whereas Dr. Lily Eurwilaitchitr, Vice President for International Collaboration, NSTDA, highlighted some national activities that recognize and promote female scientists, as well as raise public awareness of science through science communication program.
In the event, Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell delivered a special talk and participated in a panel discussion on Women in Science. Joining Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell in the panel discussion were eminent Thai female scientists: Dr. Anchalee Manonukul (Leader of Advanced Metallurgy Research Team, National Metal and Materials Technology Center, NSTDA), Assoc. Prof. Suchana Apple Chavanich (Deputy Managing Director of Chula Unisearch, Chulalongkorn University) and Dr. Uracha Ruktanonchai (Deputy Executive Director of National Nanotechnology Center, NSTDA).
