Nature’s Where I Work photo-essay section has profiled more than 200 scientists so far, working in settings that range from Vatican City to the University of the West Indies. Now, 50 of the published images are appearing in an outdoor public exhibition in London.

The selection of portraits, which are also collated online, features working researchers in diverse and important fields. The exhibition is organized in collaboration with Argent, a retail-management company based in London.

Memers of the public look at a photo in an outdoor exhibition of portraits of scientists

Two passers-by pause at one of the display boards. On the side facing the camera is a portrait of biotechnologist Sara Abdou, who explores the genetics behind ornamental-flower colours.Credit: John Sturrock

The images, commissioned especially for the journal, are on display in the King’s Cross area, near to Springer Nature’s corporate offices in the United Kingdom. The free exhibition aims to inspire younger generations to consider a career in science, technology, engineering or mathematics, and to challenge stereotypical preconceptions of what a scientist looks like and does. The portraits will remain on display until June 2024.

The exhibition is dedicated to Karen Kaplan, the senior careers editor who launched Where I Work in 2019, to mark Nature’s 150th anniversary. Karen died in November 2023.