Newcastle University

Introduction

My role as Education Liaison Officer is to help encourage the best and brightest students, from a range of backgrounds, to consider studying science, maths or computing here at Newcastle University.

Part of the role is working with young people making decisions, to ensure they have accurate information to make informed choices.

Another key function is helping young people to better understand science, generating enthusiasm for the subject and highlighting how they can contribute to the field.

Background

Having studied Marine Biology, and latterly Environmental Management I am a passionate about science and its impact on society. I enjoy communicating this interest to others and enjoy the challenge of working with audiences who think science is all white coats and mad professors.

Roles and Responsibilities

I am keen to increase gender, racial and social diversity in Science, Maths and Computing at Newcastle, many of my projects help meet these aims. I am also keen to promote a positive image of Science amongst young people, through as many creative outlets as possible.

The key projects I am involved with are:

- Liaising with our science Schools and Institutes on student recruitment, outreach and engagement matters.

- Organising the Faculty contribution to National Science Week and Newcastle Science Fest.

- Management of the Teachers' Toolkit website, a web based educational resource for teachers.

- Development of STEM Educational Partnerships with schools, setting out formal agreements for outreach provision by the university.

- Organisation of the science-based residential summer school programmes.

- Managing the Student Ambassador programme and Learning from Work module in SAgE 

I also produce a number of internal and external communications including:

- edUpdate - The STEM newsletter for teachers
- Team newsletter

Qualifications

BSc (Hons) Marine Biology 2005
MSc Coastal Zone Management 2010

Previous Positions

Educator at the Vancouver Aquarium, Canada (2009-2010)
NB: This was during a career break from Newcastle University

Graduate Ambassador for Newcastle University (2005-2006) 

Informal Interests

Always an outdoorsman, I enjoy spending my spare time walking or biking in rural Northumberland and Cumbria with family. I also enjoy the sea, so am always happy falling off a surfboard or sea kayak, often much to the amusement of others.

When the weather turns, I am a big film fan and active member of the University Film Club (email me if you want more info).