Shirty Science aims to bring research out of the lab by sitting scientists down with local artists to come up with a shirt design that represents their research. Geologists, astronomers, chemists and much more pair up with artists, after a rapid speed dating session. Together they spent a few weeks developing a final design which is printed on shirts, creating a walking billboard for new scientific research.
With so many artists and scientists working together there is bound to be a Shirty Science shirt for everyone! These inspiring designs aim to spark conversation about the awesome research happening in our amazing city.
Established in 2016 Shirty Science has created over 30 unique shirt designs that are sparking conversation about real scientific research.
Visit the website to see all 8 Season 3 designs here.
The Science: MEGAN HEAD ANU Research School of Biology Megan is using native Australian beetles to look at how sexually transmitted infections (STIs) influence the evolution of mating behavior. When STIs are present in a population males and females must balance the costs of contracting a disease with the benefits of having “sexy” offspring, when making decisions about who to mate with or how often to mate. The way that males and females balance these costs and benefits can differ, potentially leading to conflict between males and females over whether to mate or not.
The Art: SOPHIE KRISTINE Oh Little Spark Art Sophie is a native everything loving, self taught artist so was thrilled to be working with Megan and her paropsisterna, a.k.a Eucalyptus Beetles. Megan confessed right off the bat she watches a lot of beetle sex. Drawing Glorious Leaf Beetles in all their gloriousness having sexy times was an absolute pleasure. She intertwined the beetles doing their thing with eucalyptus leaves (their native habitat and primary food source) and the pesky STIs that complicate their copulation (mites!) using bold colours and clean lines.
