Profile

I’ve had what people call a “portfolio” career – that is, I’ve changed quite a lot. I did a PhD in Infectious Diseases, and then managed to get a job in TV as a researcher working on science shows. I worked my way up through TV to become a producer and director. Then I ran my own business making short films about science for a while. During this time I founded a festival called SMASHfestUK! SMASH was a science and arts festival with a difference – every festival was based on the story of a massive disaster – a volcano, an asteroid, a flood or wildfire. I loved doing the festival but COVID came along and made events tricky. I moved back into university as a lecturer in Film and TV at the University of Greenwich, and from there moved into my current role as Head of Communications and Engagement for a government-funded medical research institute called the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences.

I haven’t worked in a laboratory in a long time, but my job is to take the discoveries of our brilliant scientists, and try to get that information out into the world. Some stories might make the news – like our “supergranny model mice” – other news we share on the news section of our own website, and other science, we take to festivals, like the Great Exhibition Rd Festival, to do hands-on experiments and demonstrations with visitors. We also create films and animations and other creative content to share our science. My team look after our website, and our foyer 9-screen video wall and the 9 additional digital screens in the building. We also write the weekly and monthly newsletters and help arrange events. So although I don’t do hands-on science in the lab, its my job to translate that science into accessible and interesting content to share it with wider audiences.

I will usually have several meetings each day. I have a wide portfolio of responsibilities so the purpose of these may be varied. They might be to discuss science news stories, or figuring out logistics for making a film or arranging an event. I will usually do a couple of hours of reading and writing work. I need to keep up with scientific discoveries understand the news cycle. I also need to ensure that all the work we have done is rpoerted properly, and that we are able to evaluate what we do. I head home between 1700 and 1800 and usually pick up something for dinner on the way. Cook (or eat if the family have already cooked for me!) and then TV, or possibly a social visit with friends.