Lizzie Burns

• History of the department – I am currently working on piecing this together to share in an accessible way. This includes finding an earlier founding date of 1898 with the teaching and research of Dr William John Smith Jerome. His inaugural talk can be read in the Lancet on the emerging field of pharmacology: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(01)78243-8
• Enrichment – includes ‘cabinets of curiosity’ in our entrance and display boards; in collaboration with researchers drawing nominated drug molecules to create transparent laminates to install in windows of the department; display of artwork I have created from previous science communication projects.
• Collaboration with the Oxford Botanic Garden (OBG) – with thanks to curator Mark Brent who has planted new medicinal beds in front of the department, and around our café. I have created artwork and writing about the plants and molecules they contain as labels displayed in the department and in the OBG medicinal beds.
• Encouraging community – we have been offering competitions including the annual challenge of making decorations inspired by science for festive ‘trees of life’.
• Outreach – in collaboration with MSc course director, Dr Barbara Zonta, together with masters students and researchers we have developed and run open days in the department, run workshops and drop-in activities as part of events in primary and secondary schools in Oxford.

I have always combined a deep and active interest in science, art and education.  After a degree in biology at the University of York, I gained my doctorate from the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Oxford followed by a 3-year research fellowship before becoming a full-time artist and communicator in 2002 working for the Medical Research Council (MRC).  I created a large collection of over 45 paintings and photographs inspired by biomedical research funded by the MRC which are now displayed in the Department of Pharmacology, DPAG and Pathology.  This work has been exhibited in the UK and India at the invitation of the British Council. I have been commissioned by universities, institutions, individuals and companies and GlaxoSmithKline. Previous Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir David King described my work as ‘an exciting, refreshing, optimistic view of medical sciences in oils.  Brilliant’.   

I use my background in science, art and teaching to develop outreach workshops and projects to engage and inspire children and adults about the biomedical sciences to create their own artwork. I collaborate with scientists to find new ways to communicate their subject and convey their passion for science.  In 3 years I single-handedly ran over 300 workshops in schools and science festivals involving over 20,000 people.

Collaborations include with the British Museum, the Hayward Gallery, the Environment Agency, the Science Museum, Science Festivals including Cheltenham, Cambridge and the BA with sponsorship from the Medical Research Council, the Wellcome Trust, ARUK and the Royal College of Pathologists.

For over 15 years I have worked once a week in University College Hospital (UCL) as a Creative Specialist in the adult oncology ward. I offer creative activities in support of wellbeing to bring mental stimulation and moments of joy during difficult times.