INTRODUCTION

Hello! I'm Sharon Ann Holgate and I'm a Freelance Science Writer and Broadcaster based in the UK.

  My doctorate is in physics, and I write mainly about physics and technology – including medical physics and engineering, and scientific careers. So far my articles have appeared in New Scientist, The Times Higher Education Supplement, Science Careers, Focus, Flipside, E&T, Astronomy Now, Interactions, and Physics World. I have also written brochures, and print and online careers material, for both the Institute of Physics and the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine, as well as press releases for the Institute of Physics.

Did you know that Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can measure blood flow to the heart and allow doctors to see areas of the heart damaged by a heart attack, as well as being used to diagnose sports injuries and neurological conditions?

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 my latest programme Jack and the Genetically Modified Beanstalk, a pantomime with a scientific twist, was broadcast in December 2011 on BBC Radio 4, and repeated in December 2012 on BBC Radio 4 Extra. Previously I metamorphosed 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 - 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 women’s bodies?

  I have also 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, presented a series of video interviews with researchers for the Myrovlytis Trust, 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.

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!

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).

Meanwhile my second book 'Understanding Solid State Physics' - which is a textbook on the physics of solids that I wrote over the course of nine years - was published by Taylor & Francis in December 2009.

I have given talks at various venues including the Science Museum in London, Milestones Museum in Basingstoke, and Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital. I have also performed Science and Magic shows with professional magician Tony Drewitt at the Jewish Museum in London.

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!

Further information on all aspects of my work can be found in my CV and in the different sections of this website - please follow the links on this page or go direct to the sections using the buttons at the top of the page. If you wish to commission me for either writing or broadcasting, then please do not hesitate to get in touch via the Contact Details page.

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