Engagement

I greatly believe in the aims of science engagement which is to encourage the public (and especially our younger generation and educators) to think actively about earth sciences and share with each other its awe and relevance in our own life. Since PhD time, I have been fortunate enough to share my love of earth sciences in diverse settings, including parade, public exhibitions, lab tours, media appearances, and perhaps my proudest, with my own close friends and family.

I have extensive experience in participating and coordinating engagement projects, and am always excited to collaborate. Please feel free to reach out via email: voonhui.lai @ anu.edu.au for any opportunities.

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2019 'Science for March' at Beckman Lawn, Caltech.
Theme: Seismology at Different Time-scales: Tectonics to Real-time Seismology
Left: Group photo before the event
Right: Creating his first earthquake with unparalleled enthusiasm

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RAAF centenary flyover in Canberra, 2021
The seismometer near ANU picked up seismic signals from several Royal Australian Air Force aircrafts including the Roulettes, which is featured in Canberra Times.

Past Activities

2022 'The role of Earth Science in 21st century Australia' public symposium, RSES, ANU
  ▪ Teamed with several RSES Early Career Researchers in hosting a nation-wide hybrid public symposium
2019 'Doo Dah' Parade, Pasadena
  ▪ Rare opportunity to accompany Grand Marshall Seismologist Sue Hough as #SeismoSistahs and demonstrate "drop, cover, and hold-on" during parade. [url]
2018, 2019 ‘Science for March’ public outreach events, Caltech
  ▪ Created exhibitions and coordinated volunteers for Caltech Seismo Lab booth.
2018 'March for Science' exhibition, LA
  ▪ Created a real-time seismology demonstration for public.
2018 Boyle Heights Technology Youthsource Center, East LA
  ▪ Taught a seismology class to continual high school students during their science month.
2015 - 2018 Tour guide, Caltech Seismo Lab
  ▪ Created presentation materials and organized lab tours for school groups and public.
2016 Community Science Event, Caltech
  ▪ Presented landslide in-class demonstration to high school teachers.
2016 Tech Savvy by American Association of University Women (AAUW), Pasadena
  ▪ Shared STEM experiences to middle school girls.
2013 Cal Day, UC Berkeley
  ▪ Demonstrated real-time seismology to visitors at Berkeley Seismo Lab.

Media Appearances

Apr 2021 Canberra Times, “ANU researchers measure seismic activity of air force centenary flyover”
June 2018 Eyewitness News, ABC7, KABC-TV Los Angeles. “Caltech scientists working to predict mudslides”
May 2018 KPCC: Southern California Public Radio. “Seismometers can help predict earthquakes, but Caltech researchers think they might also signal mudslide warnings”