Sam Rogerson is the latest winner, after receiving the most votes from students! He wins £500 to spend on more science engagement activities.

Here’s what he had to say about his victory:

I am beyond thrilled to be announced as this term’s winner. I really didn’t expect to be selected. Funnily enough, I was outside sticking tracking equipment on beetles when the email came through and I wasn’t quite prepared for it!

Thank you, first and foremost, to the students for picking me. It’s been a total joy to answer your questions. I’ve sat through a couple of intense interview panels in my time as a scientist, but I’ve never had to think quite as hard about an answer as with some of your questions! I hope I’ve given you valuable insight into my life as a scientist, and shown you that science is for absolutely anyone.

I also want to say thanks to the I’m a Scientist team for not only coming up with this amazing idea but for running the chats smoothly and keeping everything on topic (and for responding so fast to all of my technical issues). Thank you to my institution (the University of Stirling), supervisors, and my partner who encouraged me to participate.

This platform has given me an incredible opportunity to gush about my subject to future scientists. I’m on a bit of a mission to make bugs cool, and I really hope I succeeded. To be honest, things aren’t great for our tiny friends. Flying insects have declined by up to 60% in the UK, and you may have noticed that this year, especially, there has been a distinct lack of butterflies, moths, and bees flying around. Why? In short – climate change, habitat loss, and pesticides. If the insects disappear, we do too. So my mission for everyone reading this is to do one nice thing for bugs this month. Put a wasp back outside if it comes into your house instead of killing it, scatter some wildflower seed, or make a bug hotel! Everything helps. You could even choose your favourite bug and tell everyone what makes it so cool.

I’m really excited to use the prize money for my mission. I would love to buy the equipment necessary to make videos and content that highlight the importance of bugs—the things they do for us and the things we can do for them!

Thank you so much!

Sam Rogerson.