Academic Contact: Dr Katharine Hubbard

To book or make an enquiry please contact

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We work with Schools and Colleges across the region to give students positive experiences of University.

Activities we can offer

Masterclasses Available

Masterclasses are most suitable for students in Year 12+13, but can be adapted for younger age groups if required. Masterclasses are delivered in our teaching labs at the University of Hull. All masterclasses are fully risk assessed, and are aligned to the A level Biology and BTEC Applied Science syllabus. To book please contact science-events@hull.ac.uk

Genome Sequencing in Action: Who Grows There
How can genetic sequencing identify species too small to see? This activity will allow students to explore how modern genetic sequencing technologies can help with issues from human health to environmental pollution. Students will run DNA samples on electrophoresis gels, obtain genetic sequencing data in real time and explore applications of these techniques from healthcare to environmental management.

PCR Masterclass
Gain experience of performing the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), a key technique in modern biology. Students will set up a PCR, run their samples on electrophoresis gels and learn about the theory of this important technique.

Evolution Masterclass
Why has evolution produced so many different shapes in vertebrate skulls and jaws? In this activity, students will examine a large collection of skulls from across the vertebrate tree and identify which animals they came from. We will discuss some key phenotypic traits that help us classify organisms and make our identifications, based on the Theory of Evolution.

Animal Behaviour Masterclass

Why do animals behave in the way that they do? How can understanding animal behaviour change our understanding of ecology and inform conservation? Students will also examine fossils from before and after a mass extinction to learn about how ecosystems evolve in response to environmental change, and what this can tell us about how to preserve modern biodiversity.

Ocean Acidification Masterclass

Increasing levels of CO₂ pumped into the atmosphere are being absorbed by sea water and increase the acidity of our oceans. Increasing acidification of the world’s oceans has the potential to significantly disrupt the way marine life communicates, with as yet unknown consequences for the ecosystem. In this workshop we will explore how and why the oceans are becoming more acidic, and the effects that this will have on marine organisms.

Talks Available

• How can Biotechnology help save the planet? (Dr Katharine Hubbard)
• DNA detectives; war, famine, pestilence and death (Dr Dave Lunt)
• The world’s most expensive wasp: Biocontrol in action (Dr Dominic Henri)
• Developing new drugs from venomous creatures (Dr Patrick Harrison)
• Evolution in the Twilight Zone: uncovering the genetics of evolution through understanding fish vision (Dr Domino Joyce)
• Extremophile bacteria: pushing protein structure to the limit (Dr Katharine Hubbard)

All talks and activities are subject to staff availability. All talks are aligned to the A level Biology and BTEC Applied Science syllabus. To book please contact science-events@hull.ac.uk.