Public Engagement Excellence

Zuzana Buřivalová honored with new UW–Madison award for public science engagement.

By Chelsea Rademacher

ing the public in their work in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) research.

This new award honors emeritus professor Bassam Shakhashiri, a household name in the UW community. Shakhashiri joined UW–Madison’s chemistry department in 1970 and quickly became an integral part of UW culture. He’s perhaps most well known for his annual televised program, “Once Upon a Christmas Cheery, in the Lab of Shakhashiri,” as well as his colorful and explosive (literally) lectures and “Science is Fun” programming.

“The hallmarks of UW–Madison are scholarly research, classroom teaching and public engagement,” Shakhashiri said. “Our discoveries help satisfy curiosity. We nourish personal growth and development. We cultivate creativity. We foster community appreciation of science. We work to advance knowledge and to serve society.”

Buřivalová was selected for her work with her Sound Forest Lab, which partners with communities, non-governmental organizations, and government entities on research projects. “Making science engaging and fun for everyone, especially children, is something that I spend a lot of my free time on,” Buřivalová said, “and so it is wonderful to be recognized for this effort.”

Buřivalová’s fellow honoree is Andrew Greenberg, is a distinguished teaching faculty member in the College of Engineering’s Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, where he created and teaches an outreach course — Chemical Engineering in the Community — that helps students learn to effectively communicate STEM research.

Learn more about the award, Buřivalová, and Greenberg.