A refurbished fibreglass cow is to be unveiled in its new home at the University of Glas-cow. 'Chem-moo-stry' was originally part of last year's Edinburgh Cow Parade art installation, where it was sponsored by ScotCHEM and the Royal Society of Chemistry with the aim of encouraging public interest in chemical research.

Professor Anne Glover, the Chief Scientific Advisor for Scotland, will unveil the cow - which has been restored to pristine condition after enduring weathering damage on outdoor display - at 10am on Wednesday 14 March in the Joseph Black Building, University of Glasgow.

Decorated with ten chemistry flasks, each containing a stylised image taken from actual published research representing work from the ScotCHEM Universities of Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Heriot Watt, St. Andrews and Strathclyde, the cow is a striking way of illustrating that serious science needn't be po-faced.

Professor Anne Glover, Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland, said: 'As scientists we need to find new ways of reaching out to the public and explaining our work. Linking science and art, this is an arresting and innovative way to engage with people and highlight the successes of the ScotCHEM initiative.'

Co-creator of the Chem-moo-stry cow, Gordon Barr said: 'We wanted to take Chemistry to a new audience. The general public perception of chemistry is that it is a bit dull and old-fashioned - Cow Parade proved that wrong and we're keen to continue to use the artwork as a way of making research more accessible to the public, as well as showing that there's more to chemistry than labcoats and test-tubes.'

The cow will be used as a focal point for schools visits and Chemistry Department Open Days as well as continuing its role promoting science to a wider audience through an accompanying website: www.chem-moo-stry.org This summer, the cow will go on display in the Hunterian Museum as part of the 'Chemistry at Work' Festival and will later visit the Glasgow Science Centre, as well as touring the ScotCHEM universities.

Dr Robert Hoyle, Director of Science at the Glasgow Science Centre said: 'We're looking forward to hosting 'Chem-moo-stry' in Summer 2007. This will allow the public the opportunity to explore concepts such as Electron Moo-croscopy, while raising awareness of chemistry in a unique and entertaining way.'

Martin Shannon (m.shannon@admin.gla.ac.uk)

PHOTOCALL: Chief Scientific Advisor for Scotland, Professor Anne Glover unveils refurbished fibreglass cow to be used to promote chemistry research at Scottish Universities

Time: 10am Wednesday 14 March

Location: Joseph Black Building, University of Glasgow

ScotCHEM: The ScotCHEM initiative brings together the major players in chemistry research by joining two funded 'pairing' initiatives; WestCHEM comprising Glasgow and Strathclyde Universities and EastCHEM bringing together Edinburgh and St Andrews Universities. A separate Heriot-Watt initiative is also funded. Dundee and Aberdeen Universities are also involved and will benefit from the development of enhanced research networks and improved access to major research resources.

For more information visit the following websites:

ScotCHEM

WestCHEM

EastCHEM

For more information on Chem-moo-stry.org, or to speak to the creators, please contact the University of Glasgow's Media Relations Office on 0141 330 8593 or email m.shannon@admin.gla.ac.uk

First published: 12 March 2007