The Wales Cancer Research Centre (WCRC) has inspired hundreds of people across Cardiff this February, taking part in two major community engagement events aimed at showcasing cancer research as an exciting and accessible career choice.
Inspiring Future Careers in Grangetown – 12 February 2026
As part of the annual Community Gateway Career and Role Models Week, WCRC researchers and Hub staff attended the event at the Grange Pavilion in Grangetown. Researchers Manon Jones and Dr Kate Milward, alongside Hub team members Jenni Macdougall and Sarah Hughes, engaged with local residents of all ages, sharing insights into careers in cancer research and offering and career pathways.
The team brought along a variety of hands-on activities to make science fun and accessible. Visitors had the opportunity to make animal DNA bracelets, explore educational ‘body’ aprons, and examine samples under microscopes. A standout attraction was a VR headset featuring the Centre’s brand-new “cancer blast” game, which allowed participants to immerse themselves in a virtual research environment.
The event drew a large crowd, with the WCRC team engaging with more than 200 members of the local community, sparking curiosity and enthusiasm about cancer research and the diverse routes into scientific careers.
“Be a Scientist” at Cardiff Science Festival – 16 February 2026
A few days later, WCRC took part in the “Be a Scientist” event at Cardiff University’s sbarc|spark building, as part of the Cardiff Science Festival.
WCRC alumni Dr Mat Clement joined researchers Manon Jones and Dr Laura Baker, along with Hub team members Sarah Hughes and Lindsey Allan, to connect with enthusiastic future scientists throughout the day.
Once again, interactive activities proved central to the experience. Visitors used microscopes to explore blood smears up close, tried on educational ‘body’ aprons, and created animal DNA bracelets. The popular VR “cancer blast” game returned, while younger audiences were particularly captivated by an anatomical body model. Using play dough, researchers demonstrated how tumours can develop in different parts of the body in a way that was engaging and easy to understand. It was a lively and rewarding day, with the event receiving over 600 visitors.
Across both events, the Wales Cancer Research Centre engaged with people from a wide range of ages and backgrounds with the activities provided an opportunity to explain cancer research in practical terms, answer questions about career pathways, and highlight the variety of roles involved in delivering research across Wales.