Zoe Laughlin

Laughlin took A-Levels in Art, Textiles and English Literature{{Cite web|url=http://www.stmaryscalne.org/index.php/news/205-news/2016-autumn-term/2948-zoe-laughlin-lecture|title=Science talk on 'Performing Matter' engages girls|last=Bryan|first=Stephanie|website=www.stmaryscalne.org|language=en-gb|access-date=2018-02-22}} and completed a Masters of Art at Central Saint Martin's College of Art and Design. She earned a PhD in Material Science in the Department of Engineering at King's College London in 2010.{{Cite web|url=https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/persons/zoe-laughlin(627b4fbf-bdfe-412c-8fb6-854f60142464).html|title=Zoe Laughlin - Research Portal, King's College, London|website=kclpure.kcl.ac.uk|language=en|access-date=2018-02-22}}

During her PhD, Laughlin discovered how materials affects the taste of food, and how to predict the taste of food using electrode potential.{{Cite journal|date=2011-10-01|title=The use of standard electrode potentials to predict the taste of solid metals|journal=Food Quality and Preference|language=en|volume=22|issue=7|pages=628–637|doi=10.1016/j.foodqual.2011.03.012|issn=0950-3293|last1=Laughlin|first1=Zoe|last2=Conreen|first2=Martin|last3=Witchel|first3=Harry J.|last4=Miodownik|first4=Mark|url=http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/42118/1/Final_food_quality_paper_Witchel_et_al_April2011.pdf}}{{Cite journal|title=Tasting spoons: Assessing how the material of a spoon affects the taste of the food|issue=1|pages=24–29|journal=Food Quality and Preference|volume=24|doi=10.1016/j.foodqual.2011.08.005|date=April 2012}} Her thesis, "Beyond the Swatch: How can the Science of Materials be Represented by the Materials Themselves in a Materials Library?", became the basis for the methodological approaches of the Institute of Making and some of its research.{{Cite web|url=http://www.instituteofmaking.org.uk/research/sensoaesthetic-materials|title=Sensoaesthetic Materials - Research|website=Institute of Making|language=en|access-date=2018-02-24}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/ucl-institute-of-makings-cabinet-of-curiosities/2003213.article|title=UCL Institute of Making's cabinet of curiosities|date=2013-04-18|work=Times Higher Education (THE)|access-date=2018-02-25|language=en}} The experiments Laughlin undertook were designed to identify the links between the physical properties of materials and our aesthetic perception of materiality.{{Cite book|title=Materials experience: fundamentals of materials and design |editor=Karana, Elvin |editor2=Pedgley, Owain |editor3=Rognoli, Valentina |isbn=978-0-08-099376-8|location=Oxford |publisher=Elsevier |oclc=862961523|date = 2013-10-24}} As a result, she has been key to the development of the concept of Sensoaesthetics, which is the "application of scientific methodology to the aesthetic, sensual and emotional side" of materials.{{cite web|url=http://www.instituteofmaking.org.uk/research/sensoaesthetic-materials|title= Sensoaesthetic materials}}

File:Sensoaesthetic Tasting Spoons.jpg

In 2010/11, Mark Miodownik, Martin Conreen and Laughlin began working on the Institute of Making, which they planned to open in the east wing of Somerset House.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theengineer.co.uk/issues/17-october-2011/materials-engineer-mark-miodownik/|title=Materials engineer Mark Miodownik - The Engineer|website=www.theengineer.co.uk|language=en-UK|access-date=2018-02-22|date=2011-10-16}} In February 2012, they joined University College London, and launched "A Taste of Materials" in April 2012.{{Cite web|url=http://www.engineering.ucl.ac.uk/news/a-taste-of-materials/|title=A Taste of Materials - UCL Engineering|website=www.engineering.ucl.ac.uk|date=9 February 2018 |language=en-GB|access-date=2018-02-22}} She published Material Matters: New Materials in Design with Black Dog Publishing.{{Cite book|title=Material matters: new materials in design|author=Howes, Philip|date=2012|publisher=Black Dog Pub|others=Laughlin, Zoe, 1981-|isbn=978-1-907317-73-6|location=London|oclc=744288230}} Their Materials Library and Make Space opened in Malet Place on 14 March 2013.{{Cite web|url=http://www.instituteofmaking.org.uk/assets/_files/uploads/Institute-of-Making_first-year-report-2014.pdf|title=First Year Report: Institute of Making|year=2014|website=UCL|access-date=2018-02-22}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.instituteofmaking.org.uk/materials-library|title=Materials - Materials Library|website=Institute of Making|language=en|access-date=2018-02-22}}{{Cite web|url=http://movement.open.co/hubs/makespace-institute-making|title=open movement°|website=open movement°|language=en|access-date=2018-02-22}}

Laughlin has created work and done projects with partners and galleries including Tate Modern, the Hayward Gallery, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Wellcome Collection.{{Cite news|url=https://wellcomecollection.org/stuffofmemory|title=The Stuff of Memory: Symposium|date=2015-07-13|access-date=2018-02-22}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/playing-live-art-adults-and-kids/launch-playing-live-art-adults-and-kids|title=Launch: Playing Up – Live Art for adults and kids – Special Event at Tate Modern |website=Tate|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-02-22}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.instituteofmaking.org.uk/events/detail/the-essence-of-flourescence-at-the-hayward-gallery|title=The Essence of Flourescence [sic] at the Hayward Gallery|website=Institute of Making|language=en|access-date=2018-02-22}} In 2016 her spoons became part of the new permanent collection of London's Design Museum and are on display in the Designer Maker User gallery.{{Cite web|url=https://designmuseum.org/exhibitions/designer-maker-user|title=Designer Maker User|website=Design Museum|language=en-GB |access-date=2018-02-24}}

Laughlin is interested in the sound of and taste of materials, as well as what she terms "the performativity of matter".{{Cite web|url=https://www.thersa.org/events/speakers/zoe-laughlin|title=Zoe Laughlin - RSA|website=www.thersa.org|access-date=2018-02-22}} She regularly speaks about materials and performs demonstration lectures.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thersa.org/events/2015/12/rsa-makers-summit-2015|title=RSA Makers Summit 2015 - RSA|website=www.thersa.org|date=2 December 2015 |access-date=2018-02-22}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thersa.org/events/2017/07/making-matters|title=Making Matters - RSA|website=www.thersa.org|date=4 July 2017 |access-date=2018-02-22}} In 2012 she delivered a TEDx talk in Brussels on "The Performativity of Matter".{{Citation|last=TEDx Talks|title=The Performativity of Matter: Zoe Laughlin at TEDxBrussels|date=2012-11-14|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrDNwd1mzC4|access-date=2018-02-22}}{{Cite news|url=https://znconsulting.com/articles/the-big-bang-event/|title=The Big Bang Event|date=2012-11-30|work=ZN Consulting|access-date=2018-02-22|language=en-US}}

She is a trustee of the Crafts Council, and works with them to integrate new materials and making methods into the crafts sector.{{Cite web|url=http://www.craftscouncil.org.uk/what-we-do/session-1-materials|title=Session 1: Materials - Crafts Council|website=www.craftscouncil.org.uk|access-date=2018-02-22}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=267146884&privcapId=183924393&previousCapId=266340832&previousTitle=Winton%20Capital%20Group%20Limited|title=Zoe Laughlin: Executive Profile & Biography - Bloomberg|website=www.bloomberg.com|access-date=2018-02-22}} Laughlin was honoured by the Institution of Engineering Designers for her "outstanding contributions to design engineering".{{Cite web|url=https://www.institution-engineering-designers.org.uk/|title=IED {{!}} Home Page|website=Institution Engineering Designers |access-date=2019-07-08}}

Laughlin produces and hosts the podcast The Things that Make Us.{{Cite web|url=https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-things-that-make-us/id1139898074?mt=2|title=The Things That Make Us by Zoe Laughlin|website=Apple Podcasts|date=2 October 2016 |language=en|access-date=2018-02-22}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.thethingsthatmakeus.com/podcast/|title=Podcast|website=The Things That Make Us|date=3 October 2016 |language=en-US|access-date=2018-02-22}} She appears regularly on British radio and television, and gives invited talks on material science in Britain and around the world.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cs.ucl.ac.uk/archive/article/fourth_annual_alumni_dinner/|title=Fourth Annual Alumni Dinner|website=www.cs.ucl.ac.uk|language=en|access-date=2018-02-22}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.jerwoodvisualarts.org/writing-and-media/rachel-pimm-conversation-zoe-laughlin/|title=Rachel Pimm in conversation with Zoe Laughlin|work=Jerwood Visual Arts|access-date=2018-02-22|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|url=https://dublin.sciencegallery.com/events/2012/09/zoe-laughlin-performativity-matter|title=Zoe Laughlin: The Performativity of Matter|last=brunswick|date=2012-08-28|website=Science Gallery|language=en|access-date=2018-02-22}} She has appeared on the Today Programme and "The Material Word" with Quentin Cooper.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/science/thematerialworld_20070405.shtml|title=BBC - Radio 4 - The Material World 05/04/2007|website=www.bbc.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2018-02-22}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/science/thematerialworld_20060302.shtml|title=BBC - Radio 4 - The Material World 2/3/2006|website=www.bbc.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2018-02-22}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02hw6vf|title=Can the metal from a spoon affect your taste?, 29/01/2015, Today - BBC Radio 4|website=BBC|date=29 January 2015 |language=en-GB|access-date=2018-02-22}} In 2016, Laughlin delivered an invited talk at The Royal Institution, "Performing Matter: Greatest Hits and New Findings".{{Cite news|url=http://www.rigb.org/whats-on/events-2016/january/public-performing-matter-greatest-hits-and-new-f|title=Performing matter: Greatest hits and new findings|access-date=2018-02-22|language=en}}

Laughlin was the resident scientist on ITV's long running series This Morning, hosting the regular bi-weekly feature "Wonderstuff".{{Cite news|url=http://www.itv.com/thismorning/dr-zoe-laughlin|title=Dr Zoe Laughlin|access-date=2018-02-22}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.itv.com/thismorning/home-garden/ketchup-with-wonderstuff-dr-zoe-laughlin|title=Ketchup with Wonderstuff|access-date=2018-02-22}} On the show, Laughlin introduced Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby to many marvellous materials and conducted numerous demonstrations including smelting copper and turning milk to plastic.{{Cite news|url=http://www.itv.com/thismorning/home-garden/wonderstuff-dr-zoe-laughlin-household-objects|title=Wonderstuff finds fun in everyday objects|access-date=2018-02-22}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.itv.com/thismorning/home-garden/wonderstuff-dr-zoe-laughlin-magic-metal|title=Wonderstuff makes magic metal|access-date=2018-02-22}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.itv.com/thismorning/home-garden/thanks-to-explosive-wonderstuff-team|title=Thanks to today's Wonderstuff team!|access-date=2018-02-22}} In 2019 she returned to the show with a bang for a run of spectacular demonstrations{{Cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/thismorning/science-experiments-to-blow-your-mind|title=Science experiments to blow your mind!|website=www.itv.com|access-date=2020-02-18}} including dripping a monster slime from the studio ceiling{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a27039959/this-morning-phillip-schofield-unimpressed-science-experiment-slime-shoes/|title=This Morning's Phil looks unimpressed after experiment gets slime on shoes|last=Warner|first=Sam|date=2019-04-04|website=Digital Spy|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-02-18}} and ripping oxygen from hydrogen peroxide.{{Cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/tvfilm/holly-willoughby-and-phillip-schofield-wreak-havoc-on-this-morning-studio-with-dramatic-science-experiment-a4109326.html |title=Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield wreak havoc on This Morning studio with explosive science experiment |first=Katie |last=Rosseinsky |newspaper=Evening Standard |date=2019-04-04 |access-date=2024-06-12}}

Laughlin was asked on to BBC Radio 4's The Kitchen Cabinet as a guest in 2015 and has since become their resident materials expert.{{Cite web|url=http://zoelaughlin.com/the-kitchen-cabinet/|title=The Kitchen Cabinet|website=Zoe Laughlin|language=en-US|access-date=2018-02-22}} The May 2016 episode, from Sandwich, Kent, was recorded in Laughlin's old school hall.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07b2q14|title=Sandwich, Series 13, The Kitchen Cabinet - BBC Radio 4|website=BBC|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-02-22}}

Laughlin was a maker of tea on the BBC Two television programme Big Life Fix.{{Cite web|url=http://www.craftscouncil.org.uk/articles/cchq-weekly-round-up-2-december-2016|title=CCHQ Weekly Round-up, 2 December 2016 - Crafts Council|website=www.craftscouncil.org.uk|access-date=2018-02-22}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.whatsontv.co.uk/news/simon-reeve-the-big-life-fix-will-help-thousands-of-people-501554/|title=Simon Reeve: 'The Big Life Fix will help thousands of people!'|date=2017-11-07|work=What' s on TV|access-date=2018-02-22|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1XrFfn6ZD6lqgd7y8NLb6HB/zoe-laughlin|title=Series 1, The Big Life Fix with Simon Reeve - Zoe Laughlin - BBC Two|website=BBC|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-02-22}} In the show, a team of designers and inventors created solutions, often as simple as repurposing everyday objects, to change people's lives.{{Cite web|url=https://theboar.org/2017/01/science-big-life-fix/|title=Using science to change lives: 'The Big Life Fix with Simon Reeve'|website=theboar.org|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-02-22}}{{Cite web|url=http://zoelaughlin.com/the-big-life-fix/|title=The Big Life Fix|website=Zoe Laughlin|language=en-US|access-date=2018-02-22}} On the show, Laughlin designed a number of items, including a lightweight, durable foam helmet for a child who suffers from hydrocephalus.{{Cite news|url=https://www.shinecharity.org.uk/mediaccentre/news/2016/12/23/shine-member-rosie-receives-the-best-christmas-present|title=Shine member Rosie receives the best Christmas present…|work=Shine Charity |access-date=2018-02-22|language=en}} Laughlin described the experience as "a great show to be part of".{{Cite web|url=http://www.ucl.ac.uk/campaign/our-priorities/disruptive-thinking/zoe-laughlin-interview|title=Making Space|website=www.ucl.ac.uk|language=en|access-date=2018-02-22|date=2017-10-30}} In Series 2, "Inventing the Impossible: Big Life Fix" Laughlin made a "second skin" for a young man with Xeroderma Pigmentosum{{Cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/2018/07/30/man-sun-allergy-gets-mask-looks-exactly-like-stop-skin-frying-7774918/|title=Man with sun allergy gets mask that looks exactly like him to stop skin frying|date=2018-07-30|website=Metro|language=en|access-date=2020-02-18}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06gcb28|title=BBC Two - The Big Life Fix, Inventing the Impossible, Episode 1, Meet Alex - the man allergic to sunlight|website=BBC|date=3 August 2018 |language=en-GB|access-date=2020-02-18}} and a pair of robotic gloves that gave movement back to a man with paralysed hands.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0bfjzdn|title=BBC Two - The Big Life Fix, Inventing the Impossible, Episode 3|website=BBC|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-02-18}}

In 2017 Laughlin and Lucy Worsley presented a 90-minute BBC Four programme exploring the history of fireworks, Fizz Bang Wallop - A Tudor Firework Spectacular.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/bbcfactual/four|title=BBC - BBC Four - Media Centre|website=www.bbc.co.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-02-23}} The show, Fireworks for a Tudor Queen, was broadcast in March 2018.

In the spring of 2018 Laughlin and George McGavin made a BBC Four documentary The Secret Life of Landfill: A Rubbish History, exploring the fate and future of rubbish deposited in landfill sites.{{cite news |last1=Walton |first1=James |title=I had no idea how fascinating rubbish could be: The Secret Life of Landfill reviewed |url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/2018/08/i-had-no-idea-how-fascinating-rubbish-could-be-the-secret-life-of-landfill-reviewed/ |access-date=7 September 2018 |work=The Spectator |date=25 August 2018}}{{cite web |title=The Secret Life of Landfill: A Rubbish History |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0bgpc2f |publisher=BBC Four |access-date=7 September 2018}}

In summer 2018 Laughlin wrote and presented her own show for BBC Four entitled The Secret Story of Stuff: Materials for the Modern Age, blending "bonhomie, excitement and expertise in perfect proportions".{{Cite news|last=Mangan|first=Lucy|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/oct/31/secret-story-stuff-tv-review|title=The Secret Story of Stuff review – inventions provoke awe and wonder – and hope|date=2018-10-31|work=The Guardian|access-date=2020-02-18|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}} In the programme she performed a number of demonstrations to reveal the wonderous properties of materials, including a test of the thermally insulative equalities of mycelium using a high-powered blow touch and ice-cream.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06q5pn1|title=BBC Four - The Secret Story of Stuff: Materials of the Modern Age, Mushroom mycelium makes ingenius insulation|website=BBC|date=29 October 2018 |language=en-GB|access-date=2020-02-18}}{{Cite news|last=Mangan|first=Lucy|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/oct/31/secret-story-stuff-tv-review|title=The Secret Story of Stuff review – inventions provoke awe and wonder – and hope|date=2018-10-31|work=The Guardian|access-date=2020-02-18|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}} The show was first broadcast in the autumn of 2018 and has subsequently been repeated.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0bqjrpt|title=BBC Four - The Secret Story of Stuff: Materials of the Modern Age|website=BBC|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-02-18}}

Over the course of 3 consecutive nights in June 2019, Laughlin co-presented Plane Spotting Live{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00071fp|title=BBC Four - Planespotting Live|website=BBC|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-02-18}} for BBC Four with Peter Snow and Andi Peters. The programme was broadcast live from a set constructed on East Midlands Aeropark, alongside the runway of East Midlands Airport.{{Cite web|url=http://www.eastmidlandsaeropark.org/planespottinglive.html|title=planespottinglive|last=Williams|first=Ken|website=www.eastmidlandsaeropark.org|language=en-gb|access-date=2020-02-18}}

In How to Make,{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000gwzg|title=BBC Four - How to Make|website=BBC|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-04-03}} Laughlin deconstructs everyday items - training shoes, a toothbrush, and a pair of headphones - examining the materials they're made of and re-making a customised version of each. This BBC Four series first aired on 2 April 2020 and was produced in connection with the Open University.

• Laughlin appeared on the 2018/2019 Christmas University Challenge representing King's College London alongside Anita Anand (captain), Angela Saini, and Anne Dudley.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2018/christmas-university-challenge#heading-line-up|title=BBC - Christmas University Challenge alumni line-up announced - Media Centre|website=www.bbc.co.uk|access-date=2019-01-02}}
• Laughlin appeared on the third episode of the 2024 Royal Institute Christmas Lectures, hosted by Chris Van Tulleken to explain ways that humans have prepared food over the centuries.

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Category:Living people

Category:British materials scientists

Category:British artists

Category:British women artists

Category:Alumni of King's College London

Category:Academics of University College London

Category:Alumni of Central Saint Martins

Category:Place of birth missing (living people)

Category:Year of birth missing (living people)