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BIG EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

BIG is run by a committee of volunteers appointed at each AGM in July. Any BIG member can apply for a position on the Executive Committee. For more information find out how to volunteer.

BIG Exec 2023-24

Chair

Contact me at chair@big.uk.com 

Kirsty Hayward

In my day job, I manage a small educational charity in the North East, delivering STEM workshops with primary school classes and facilitating community after-school clubs and events. One of the things I like about BIG is how it brings together people from many different scicomm backgrounds to share our common skills and knowledge.


Vice Chair

Naomi Foster 


I work in the North Pennines National Landscape and UNESCO Global Geopark, helping people to enjoy the outdoors and nature, especially the geology. I previously worked at the Life Science Centre in Newcastle, developing demo shows, planetarium shows and other public activities. 

I am also a leader in Girlguiding, play the bassoon and crochet sea creatures.



Secretary

Emily Fisk 

I am currently working for The Oxford Trust as the Science Oxford Centre Manager, where I coordinate and deliver school and family visits to our Centre. Prior to this, I was a Science Communicator and Events Coordinator at Cambridge Science Centre.

Outside of work, I enjoy playing badminton, volunteering for and organising events, and baking.




Treasurer

Helen Obee-Reardon

I've been involved in many engagement and science communication projects for over fifteen years: my experience includes working with schools, colleges and universities; communities of place and interest; local authorities; academics; policy makers; industry; and memorably the Austrian Ambassador.

I’m now at Cardiff University and in the Impact sector, supporting researchers to realise the benefits of their research beyond academia.



General officer

Ellie Horner 

I’ve worked in informal science learning for several years, and currently work at the Francis Crick Institute as Education Operations Manager. I’ve been on the BIG committee for almost two years now, and through the network I’ve gotten to meet so many people from so many different areas of scicomm, which has been amazing!


General Officer

Claudia Antolini

I'm an astrophysicist, globetrotter, and all around geek about all things science. I am a fun and passionate science communicator that aims to make physics relatable and approachable for everyone and encourage people to think of themselves as scientists, especially people that have traditionally been made to feel like science isn’t “for them”. I am now an established public engagement professional in the UK scene, having worked for science centres, learned societies and universities. I am also a well recognised advocate for justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in the STEM fields.



Other People

We also enlist the help of freelancers to run our activities and manage BIG.


Membership Services Manager

Contact me at admin@big.uk.com

Helen Nightingale 

I am a Freelancer, working roughly one day a week for BIG.

Alongside this role, I run creative workshops for both adults and children, make craft kits and decorations for window displays and events and share content online. My website is helennightingalecreates.com

The rest of my time is taken up by my young twin sons.


Event Coordinator

Contact me at event@big.uk.com

Ashley Kent

I am a Freelancer, working on BIG roughly one day a week. I’ve been a member of BIG since 2008 and the BIG Event Co-ordinator since 2017.

My other work includes delivering #IAmRemarkable workshops, craft workshops and other science communications events as and when they come up. My website is AshleyKent.co.uk

The rest of my time is taken up by golf and volunteering commitments. 



The Minutes of the Executive Committee Meetings and our annual AGM can be found in our Members' Area.

If you are interested in joining the BIG Executive Committee, find out what is involved and how to volunteer.

What is in it for you?

"Having been a BIG member for a long time and gained a lot from the networking opportunities I was keen to stand on the exec committee to give something back to the organisation. I acted as a General Officer, Vice-Chair and Chair and always enjoyed the experience. 

Working with colleagues to produce a programme of events and hearing the insights of others was personally and professionally rewarding. Clients are impressed that I know and have worked with so many people and have a good understanding of the challenges and delights of working in science communication. 

Commitment to the exec was never too onerous and I’d encourage others to get involved. Make BIG work even harder to do what you want it to do by being part of the team running it!"

- James Piercy, science made simple

"I think that being in any organisation is more fun if you get properly involved. Being on the Exec made me feel much more part of the organisation and gave me some influence too. And as you might imagine from BIG, Exec meetings are fairly relaxed affairs!"

- Ben Craven, previous General Officer and Secretary

"It’s enjoyable and rewarding to get more involved if you can. Meetings, with likeminded people, are largely a pleasure to look forward to and responsibilities are shared very evenly, with exemplary support from our professional staff. I’ve loved playing my small part in keeping BIG thriving, and increasing my involvement in the BIG Event has only enabled me to make more friends, have more fun, and connect with minds more creative than my own!”

- Bridget Holligan, Science Oxford, Former Vice-Chair and Chair

I am currently working for The Oxford Trust as the Science Oxford Centre Manager, where I coordinate and deliver school and family visits to our Centre. Prior to this, I was a Science Communicator and Events Coordinator at Cambridge Science Centre.

My PhD was conducted as part of the Florey Institute for Host-Pathogen Interactions, at the University of Sheffield. The project considered the importance of metabolism in host-pathogen interactions, specifically between macrophages and the pneumococcal pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae.

I also obtained my MBiolSci from the University of Sheffield. During the third year of study, I carried out a 12-week project, teaching primary school students about microbiology, whilst in the fourth year, I gained research experience as an Undergraduate Student Researcher.

Outside of work, I enjoy playing badminton, volunteering for and organising events, and baking.

I've been involved in many engagement and science communication projects for over fifteen years: my experience includes working with schools, colleges and universities; communities of place and interest; local authorities; academics; policy makers; industry; and memorably the Austrian Ambassador.

After initially studying Environmental Pollution Science, in 2006 I was awarded a scholarship by Science Shops Wales to study MSc Communicating Science. The following year I taught part of the course and then joined The Works:Ebbw Vale, the biggest regeneration project in Wales, a former steelworks site was undergoing a multiuse regeneration: I maintained and developed links between communities of place and interest with the programme. I then moved to First Campus, raising aspirations in the STEM subjects within schools with a high proportion of pupils from deprived backgrounds. I’m now at Cardiff University and in the Impact sector, supporting researchers to realise the benefits of their research beyond academia.

Claudia Antolini is an astrophysicist, globetrotter, and all around geek about all things scienceClaudia is a fun and passionate science communicator that aims to make physics relatable and approachable for everyone and encourage people to think of themselves as scientists, especially people that have traditionally been made to feel like science isn’t “for them”. Claudia is now an established public engagement professional in the UK scene, having worked for science centres, learned societies and universities. She is also a well recognised advocate for justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in the STEM fields.
© BIG STEM Communicators Network

Contact BIG: admin@big.uk.com

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