Associate Research Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Core faculty, Duke Science & Society
Member, Duke Quantum Center
Emily Edwards is primarily interested in science communication and informal STEM education, with a focus on increasing adult and youth interest in and engagement with quantum information science and engineering topics and technology.
B.S. Physics, Chemistry
Appalachian State University, 2002
M.S. University of Maryland, College Park, 2008
Ph.D. Physics
University of Maryland, College Park, 2009
BIOETHIC 606: Communicating Science Policy
Emily Edwards and a team at the University of California, Santa Barbara, developed and studied a video game called Qander to break down complex quantum topics into simple and entertaining lessons.
The game’s premise deals with the aftermath of a lab explosion, where you play as the vampire Molly Cule to solve puzzles to regather quantum computing parts for her mischievous cat, Tangle. Along the way, you learn about quantum concepts while Byte, a canine archnemesis of Tangle, attempts to stymie your efforts.
Read more at Pratt.Duke.edu
While I have been most involved in federal policy around quantum education and S&T, I am currently interested in policies at the state level that relate to helping kids have access to science learning.
The most challenging policy and ethical issue I see related to this is the push for AI education (both conceptually and the use of tools).
I became involved in policy work because of teachers, and their interest in quantum information science. I am motivated by their passion for bringing new ideas into their classrooms.
My projects are motivated by the need to improve science learning and literacy among young students and non-expert audiences. There are many ways to communicate about technical topics, and I particularly enjoy exploring how people can informally learn about emergent areas of science and technology.
“Quantum physics is arguably the greatest intellectual triumph in the history of human civilization, but to most people it seems like it’s too remote and abstract to matter. This is largely a self-inflicted wound on the part of physicists and pop-science writers: when we talk about quantum physics, we usually emphasize the weird and counter-intuitive phenomena: Schrödinger’s cat in a superposition of “alive” and “dead,” Einstein’s objection to God playing dice, the weird long-distance correlations of quantum entanglement.”
– Chad Orzel, Three Ways Quantum Physics Affects Your Daily Life, Forbes
The FLUNCH (faculty + lunch) program is designed to encourage student-faculty interaction outside the classroom. Through the program, undergraduates can invite their faculty and/or course instructors to a free lunch at one of many dining locations across campus.