INTRODUCTION

Hello! I'm Dr Sharon Ann Holgate and I'm a Freelance Science Writer and Broadcaster based in Sussex in the UK.
I am also a Visiting Fellow in Physics and Astronomy at Sussex University.

  My doctorate is in physics and so far I have written about physics and technology for New Scientist, The Times Higher Education Supplement, Focus, Flipside, Astronomy Now, Physics World, the Institute of Physics and the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine. As well as writing serious pieces, I also like to write light-hearted articles - particular favourites being features for Focus magazine on the World's most useless inventions, and the science and history of toilet paper, which I discussed with Chris Evans on his BBC Radio2 Drivetime show!

Did you know that before toilet paper was produced in 1857, people had used everything from ostrich feathers to rags, leaves and grass to perform the task? Unbelievably it took another 90 years to really catch on, as many people favoured ripped up newspapers instead!

  My broadcasting tends to cover a wider range of science topics and has even found me metamorphosing into an alter ego called 'MC Shaz' for a BBC World Service youth programme called 'The Edge'! I made two series of E=MC Shaz - short pieces in which I investigated some of the claims pop music lyrics make about science - for The Edge, as well as a report about environmentally friendly guitars and a feature on the science of bras!

Did you know that there are up to 50 components in some bras, and that engineering techniques can be used to measure the strains exerted by bras on womens' bodies?


  As well as broadcasting on the BBC World Service, I have written and presented a BBC Radio 4 documentary on the Indian physicist S.N.Bose - which was shortlisted for the Syngenta ABSW Science Writers' Awards 2005, appeared on a 'Boffins Special' of the Weakest Link with Anne Robinson on BBC2, been a studio guest on Midweek with Libby Purves on BBC Radio 4, and enjoyed many live science slots on Bill Buckley's afternoon show on BBC Southern Counties Radio. Bill and I discussed everything from time travel to telescopes, and from sunspots to sport for the lazy. the way science works

Did you know that according to British researchers at Manchester Metropolitan University just imagining doing exercise can help make our muscles stronger? So no excuses that you haven't got time to go to the gym!


  I am also an author, and my first book 'The Way Science Works' (which I co-authored with Robin Kerrod) was published by Dorling Kindersley in April 2002, and was shortlisted for the Junior Prize in the Aventis Prizes for Science Books 2003 (now known as the Royal Society Prizes for Science Books). My next book 'Understanding Solid State Physics' - which is a textbook on the physics of solids that I have been working on since 2000 - is due for publication by Taylor & Francis in 2009.

In January 2007, I was awarded the Institute of Physics Young Professional Physicist of the Year award for 2006, which I was obviously delighted about!

Surfing this site:
· To find out more about 'The Way Science Works' and read excerpts from the reviews please visit the 'Books' section, which also includes further information on my solid state physics textbook.
· If you would like to read a selection of my articles, hear some snippets from my BBC Southern Counties pieces, find out more about my BBC Radio 4 programme on S.N.Bose, or see my career profiles on the Institute of Physics and Planet Science websites, please visit the 'Articles and Broadcasting' section.
· Meanwhile pictures and information on the public talks I have given can be found in the 'Talks and Presentations' section, which includes a video clip of a TV news feature about my talk at Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital.
· If you wish to commission me for either writing or broadcasting please view my 'CV' and then follow the instructions in the 'Contact Details' section. Any reasonable offers considered!
· Pointers to interesting scientific web sites can be found in 'Cool Science Links'. These are sites I have come across in the course of my work that I think may interest a wide audience.
· For a look at the lighter side of science, please visit 'A Bit of Fun'.
· Finally, if you'd like information on becoming a science writer, or want contact details for scientific organisations please click on 'General Science Info'.

Thank you for visiting this site. I hope you enjoy it.