Ahalya Suresh
is an In2science mentor working with a year 9 science class at Doveton College. She is currently completing her PhD at RMIT University. In this reflection piece, Ahalya talks about her love for sparking curiosity in others through science communication.
If someone had told me a few years ago that I’d one day be talking about mangroves and climate change in a pub full of strangers, I probably would have laughed nervously and gone back to my lab bench. Yet here I am; a proud mentor with In2science, and now, a presenter at Pint of Science.
My journey into science wasn’t a straight line. Like many students, I didn’t grow up knowing exactly what I wanted to be. But I knew I was curious about how the world works, why our oceans matter, and how we can do better for the planet. It wasn’t until university that I truly discovered my passion for environmental science, especially the mysterious and often overlooked ecosystems like mangroves, saltmarshes, and seagrasses. These “blue carbon” ecosystems are not just fascinating; they’re powerful tools in the fight against climate change. The more I learned about them, the more I knew I wanted to dig deeper (sometimes literally – muddy boots and all) and contribute to their conservation.
That’s how I landed in my current PhD research, which explores how regenerative tourism, where tourists actively contribute to restoring the environment, can help protect and restore coastal wetlands. It’s a space where science, sustainability, and society intersect, and that makes it more exciting.
When I joined In2science, I didn’t just want to share knowledge, I wanted to spark curiosity. Mentoring high school students reminded me why I fell in love with science in the first place. Their questions, creativity, and fresh perspectives were energising. It was a two-way street: while I offered insights into university life and STEM careers, they challenged me to explain my work in ways that actually made sense beyond academic jargon.
Somewhere along the way, I realised science doesn’t just belong in classrooms or journals. It belongs everywhere – in conversations over coffee, on social media, in art, and yes, even over a pint.
So, when I got the chance to speak at Pint of Science, a global festival where researchers share their science in local pubs with curious audiences, I jumped at it.
And when I stood up to speak at my first Pint of Science event, I felt that same spark I had as an In2science mentor, that sense of connection. I talked about mangroves, climate change, and community action and people actually wanted to know more. They asked thoughtful questions. They told me about their own experiences visiting wetlands. They made connections I hadn’t even thought of.
It was electric.
Because at the heart of both In2science and Pint of Science is one powerful idea: science is for everyone.
Mentoring helped me rediscover a purpose beyond my research. It reminded me that science isn’t just about data and discoveries, it’s about impact, and about making complex ideas accessible and relevant to people’s lives.
Most importantly, it gave me confidence. It reminded me that I had something worth sharing, and that communication is just as crucial as experimentation in making science matter.
In2science gave me a platform. It gave me a purpose beyond the thesis. And it set me on a path where sharing science has become just as fulfilling as doing it.
If you’re a university student thinking about mentoring or getting into science communication, here’s my advice: just start.
Start small. Start nervous. Start messy. It doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be real.
Whether it’s mentoring one student or chatting with a stranger about your research over a drink, every conversation matters. You never know whose curiosity you’ll ignite or how the experience might transform your own.
