Home / Science / Science Showman Frank Burnet: Igniting Curiosity
Science Showman Frank Burnet: Igniting Curiosity
18 Feb
Summary
- Pioneered science communication, blending academic rigor with showmanship.
- Founded the Science Communication Unit at UWE in 1996.
- Co-created FameLab, inspiring over 40,000 young scientists globally.
Frank Burnet, a visionary in science communication, passed away at the age of 77. He was celebrated for his unique ability to merge academic expertise with a showman's flair, making complex scientific subjects both understandable and entertaining for the public.
Burnet's early life showed a deep-seated curiosity for science, which he cultivated throughout his academic journey. After studying biochemistry at St Andrews and earning a doctorate in neuroendocrinology at Oxford, he explored various avenues to disseminate scientific knowledge.
His career in science communication officially took flight in 1977 at the University of Kent. By 1996, he moved to the University of the West of England in Bristol, where he established the groundbreaking Science Communication Unit, becoming the UK's first professor of science communication in 2002.
A significant achievement was his co-founding of the Cheltenham science festival and the creation of FameLab in 2005. This innovative three-minute science-storytelling competition has since expanded to 35 countries, empowering over 40,000 young scientists.
Burnet retired from academia in 2009 but remained dedicated to connecting people with science. His influence extended through his warm personality and belief in others, fostering a new generation of science communicators. He is survived by his wife Gaie, four daughters, two stepdaughters, and eight grandchildren.
