Professor Winfried Hensinger in the quantum laboratory
A University of Sussex physicist is among 47 of the world's most inspirational scientists profiled in a new book aimed at teenage students, in a project that reflects Sussex's mission to educate the change-makers of the future.
Professor Winfried Hensinger, from the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine, features in Scientists Making a Difference, alongside researchers working on everything from growing human cells to test medicines, tracking African wild dogs, searching for life beyond our Solar System and, in the case of Professor Hensinger, building quantum computers. The book, by author and award-winning mechanical engineer Dr Shini Somara, is based on interviews with 47 scientists tackling some of the big questions in the world today.
Winfried's inclusion in the book, and the work it describes, speaks directly to the aims of our Sussex 2035 strategy: to educate generations of change-makers and produce knowledge that addresses global challenges.
Explaining why he wanted to be involved, he said: "Science is all about working together to solve problems, and we need the best young minds to tackle the problems of our world, and some we don't even know about yet. We're just scratching the surface of the quantum revolution, and in 10 or 20 years' time pretty much all industries will be affected by the ability to run complex calculations at once. At Sussex we've just introduced an exciting new degree programme in quantum technologies, where alongside coursework, students take part in one of our research groups across all four years of their undergraduate degree. This means students get real experience developing quantum computers, sensors and other groundbreaking technologies."
Every state secondary school in the UK will receive two free copies of the new book, along with a teacher's guide and supporting materials, as part of a collaboration between Imperial College London and the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, set up by Lord Sainsbury to strengthen STEM education. Further resources are available at scientists-making-a-difference.com, and a short video with Winfried made to accompany the book is on YouTube.
We have many world-leading experts such as Winfried working at Sussex, and this book enhances Sussex’s profile and impact through telling his story and inspiring future scientists to take their paths to progressive futures here at the University.
As well as lecturing students at Sussex, Winfried is Director of the Sussex Centre for Quantum Technologies and co-founder of Universal Quantum, a full-stack quantum computing company, where he serves as Chief Scientist and Chairman. He has spent over 20 years building quantum computers using trapped ions that can solve real-world industry problems.