Public Engagement at Boulby Underground Laboratory
Being one of only a dozen such facilities in the world, the deep underground science hosted at our lab is uniquely fascinating and often the first of its kind. Sharing our discoveries with the world and inspiring the next generation is a fundamental part of what we do.
From caverns to classroom
Educating and inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers and technicians is one of Boulby Underground Laboratory’s core missions. Our public engagement programme is developed jointly with the STFC Public Engagement team to ensure our outreach is impactful, meaningful, and safe.
Through a blend of in-person, online and hybrid activities, we meaningfully engage with communities in the Tees Valley, northeast of England, and all across the UK – whether that be by delivering storytelling sessions in primary schools, virtually touring the next generation of scientists around our lab, or by running activities at regional science festivals.
Remote³
Remote³ is a public engagement programme that involves mentoring school children in the design, construction, and programming of LEGO Mars rovers. Teams of school children all across the UK code LEGO rovers to complete a series of challenges, which they are then tested against in the demanding and rugged mine environment.
Our long-standing partnership with the University of Edinburgh and STFC’s Rutherford Appleton Laboratory on the Remote³ schools programme has brought deep underground science to classrooms in northern Scotland and economically-disadvantaged parts of the UK.
Virtual tours
Travelling 1.1 km underground into Britain’s deepest mine is no small feat, and to work safely underground requires a lot of training and procedure. As such, we aren’t able to host public visits to the underground lab. Yet, we would love nothing more than to show the world the science that we host and the impact that it has. So in order to achieve this, we run a virtual tour (or ‘live link’) programme.
These virtual tours are 30 – 60 minutes in duration, hosted by members of our team, and broadcast far and wide. The live link format is flexible, with content that can be tailored to an array of events and audiences. We typically live link with schools, universities, science festivals, museums, and many more.
To enquire about arranging a virtual tour of the underground lab, please get in touch using the contact details below.
Pathways into STEM
We work with our local education partners in the Tees Valley region to highlight alternative career pathways into STEM, opening the door for young people who might not have previously thought science was for them.
Our public engagement programme includes attending local careers fairs, delivering talks at schools and colleges, and spotlighting the roles available within STFC that go beyond the traditional image of what it means to work in STEM.
Apprenticeships at Boulby Underground Laboratory
Interested in launching your career at Boulby Underground Laboratory?
As an apprentice, you’ll gain hands-on experience supporting world-leading research in particle physics, environmental science and technology – working alongside skilled engineers, technicians and scientists at one of the UK’s most unique research facilities.
Our early careers opportunities are managed through the STFC Skills Centre. Find out more about apprenticeships within STFC and browse opportunities by following the link below.
Public Engagement in PPD
STFC’s Particle Physics Department (PPD) shares the excitement of discovery with students, teachers and the public through masterclasses, workshops, seminars and career events. From hands-on sessions using real CERN LHC data to skills training and research seminars, PPD’s public engagement programme makes particle physics accessible, engaging and inspiring for all.
Join us at our upcoming events
Find out about upcoming events involving Boulby Underground Laboratory through the STFC Public Engagement website below.
FAQs
Can I visit the lab?
Unfortunately we are unable to host public visits due to the logistic complexities involved with working underground. If you would like to request a visit for a business or operational purpose, please enquire using the contact form at the top of our website.
How can I work with Boulby Underground Laboratory?
Researchers interested in developing new experiments or proposals at Boulby Underground Laboratory are invited to contact us with an expression of interest. We welcome ideas across all scientific disciplines supported at the facility, and our team can advise on feasibility, infrastructure, and next steps for formal proposal submission. We also welcome proposals for collaboration on our public engagement programmes. Please use the contact form at the top of the website to get in touch.
For all press and media enquiries, please contact the STFC Press Office at pressoffice@stfc.ac.uk.
What sort of science do you do underground?
Our science programme can be broadly split into four key themes: low-background particle physics, Earth and environmental science, space and planetary science, and quantum technologies. You can find out more about each of these areas in the Science Programmes section of our website.
Enquiries
Interested in working with us? Get in touch to explore how Boulby Underground Laboratory can provide access to world-class underground facilities to support your research and outreach.
