ACCORDING to Nobel Laureate Professor Douglas Osheroff, advancements in science are seldom made by individuals alone but are the result of the progress of the scientific community.

The University of Western Australia invited Prof Osheroff to deliver his lecture at the inaugural Marshall-Warren lecture series (named in honour of WA Nobel Laureates Professor Barry Marshall and Dr Robin Warren) as part of an initiative to bring Nobel Laureates to Perth.

Prof Osheroff’s lecture topic was how advances in science are made, giving tips on how to best adjust research strategies to increase the chances of making a discovery.

The lecture attracted over 650 people to Winthrop hall, which had an obvious affect on the Nobel Laureate.

“I’m a little bit nervous, this is one of the most spectacular lecture halls I’ve ever been able to speak in,” Prof Osheroff said.

In the lecture Prof Osheroff focused on specific elements of research and how they can be manipulated to increase one’s chances of advancements in science, using relevant historical examples.

The Nobel Laureate recommended a series of research strategies which include using the best technology available, avoiding having too many commitments and collaborating with those whose skills complement your own.

Prof Osheroff also emphasised not giving up but rather heading in a different direction.

“Don’t give up when things are going badly, failure may be an indication to try something new.”

He said the process of advancing science often leads to inventions and technologies which directly benefit mankind, however it is impossible to know from where an advance might come from.

Prof Osheroff won his Nobel Prize alongside David M. Lee and Robert C. Richardson for the discovery of three superfluid phases of liquid 3He.

He attributed the discovery to being able to utilise and expand on similar and relevant research by earlier scientists such as Hammel, Purcell and Adams.

“Without any one of these [scientists], I would have probably never have made my discovery.

"To have rapid progress we must support scientific research broadly and encourage scientists to interact with one another, to spend a bit of their time satisfying their own curiosity.”

UW A Chancellor Michael Chaney said he hopes the lecture series will provide an opportunity for the broader community to engage with Nobel Laureates in different fields.