ASDC Conference: Shaping the future of science together: Full Schedule

ASDC Conference 2024: Shaping the future of science together
18-19th November, The Royal Society, London

Welcome to the ASDC Conference 2024, a vibrant inclusive event for everyone in the science engagement community and wider STEM sector to come together for collaboration, inspiration, and growth. The conference programme of talks, workshops, networking sessions and discussions will explore how we shape the future of science in our rapidly changing world.

Take a virtual tour around the Royal Society to see what it’s like inside before the conference starts.

We’d love to see your photos, videos and thoughts on social media, please share with us using #ASDC24.

12:30pm GMT

Registration

Monday November 18, 2024 12:30pm - 1:00pm GMT

Reception

Monday November 18, 2024 12:30pm - 1:00pm GMT
Reception

Registration

1:00pm GMT

Welcome

Monday November 18, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm GMT

Wellcome Trust Hall

Speakers

Stephen Breslin

Chief Executive Officer, Glasgow Science Centre

Stephen has been the Chief Executive Officer of Glasgow Science Centre since 2012 and is committed to building confidence and raising aspiration in young people and helping them to discover the pleasure and relevance of science, engineering and technology. Stephen trained and worked... Read More →

Lesley Miles

Chief - Programmes, Partnerships and Engagement, The Royal Society

Lesley Miles is the Chief Officer – Programmes, Partnerships and Engagement – at the Royal Society, having joined in 2013 as the Chief Strategy Officer. As part of her role, she is responsible for some of the Society’s major strands of work including grants, public, schools... Read More →

Shaaron Leverment

Chief Executive, The Association for Science and Discovery Centres

Shaaron is the CEO of ASDC and has over 20 years' experience working in science engagement and education. She stands for the value of science centres and museums for social good, as community assets that are accessible and relevant for a more diverse public.Shaaron joined ASDC in... Read More →

Monday November 18, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm GMT
Wellcome Trust Hall

Keynote

1:45pm GMT

Keynote: Transforming tomorrow together

Monday November 18, 2024 1:45pm - 2:15pm GMT

Wellcome Trust Hall

Speakers

Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser

Chief Executive, UKRI

Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser is the Chief Executive of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and Regius Professor of Botany at the University of Cambridge.UKRI brings together the UK’s Research Councils, Innovate UK and Research England, operating with a combined budget of... Read More →

Monday November 18, 2024 1:45pm - 2:15pm GMT
Wellcome Trust Hall

Keynote

2:30pm GMT

Citizens of the future: Exploring mindsets, missions and opportunities

Monday November 18, 2024 2:30pm - 3:30pm GMT

Wolfson Rm 1

Speakers

Rosalie White

Creative Director, We The Curious

Rosalie is Creative Director at We The Curious, where she shapes the creative vision and contributes to strategic direction, most recently through a new co-created strategic plan, Plan 2030. Previously, she worked as a Producer in the culture sector with artists, organisations, and... Read More →

Hannah Matterson

Operations and Marketing Director and Deputy CEO, Kielder Observatory

Hannah joined the Kielder Observatory team in January 2022 as Operations and Marketing Director and Deputy CEO. She has worked predominantly in the creative industries for the last 10 years, with detours into digital industries and innovation projects, but with every role having development... Read More →

Monday November 18, 2024 2:30pm - 3:30pm GMT
Wolfson Rm 1

Panel presentation

2:30pm GMT

Engagement showcase: Intriguing, involving and inspiring people with UK Space

Monday November 18, 2024 2:30pm - 3:30pm GMT

Wellcome Trust Hall

Monday November 18, 2024 2:30pm - 3:30pm GMT
Wellcome Trust Hall

Workshop

3:30pm GMT

Break and refreshments

Monday November 18, 2024 3:30pm - 4:00pm GMT

City of London rooms

Time for networking, talking to exhibitors and refreshments.

Monday November 18, 2024 3:30pm - 4:00pm GMT
City of London rooms

4:00pm GMT

Lightning talks

Monday November 18, 2024 4:00pm - 5:10pm GMT

Wellcome Trust Hall

Our series of six vibrant lightning talks:

Hassun El Zafar, Director, Edinburgh Science: What does decolonisation look like in science engagement?
Jack Monaghan, Science Engagement Manager, Wellcome Connecting Science: DNA Youth Ambassadors: using youth voices to share the future of genomic science
Mollie Clay, Learning Development Officer, Field Studies Council: Overcoming barriers to online environmental learning for young and neurodiverse audiences
Laura Joy Pieters, Curator of Mathematical Sciences, Science Museum: A quick deep dive into the material culture of AI
Vanessa Sauls, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager, The Francis Crick Institute: Reverse Mentoring: Bridging Generational Gaps for Inclusion in STEM
Sophie Ward, Communications and Office Assistant, ASDC: Why your personality is the ultimate communication tool

Speakers

Hassun El-Zafar

Director & CEO, Edinburgh Science

Emerging into the international art, heritage, and science engagement scene in the late 2010s, Hassun El-Zafar has become a dynamic force in multi-disciplinary art and public engagement. His work spans curating festivals, directing theatre, producing world-leading factual content... Read More →

Vanessa Sauls

EDI Manager, The Francis Crick Institute

Vanessa Sauls is an interdisciplinary inclusion practitioner and published legal scholar with an interest in jurisprudence, philosophy, sociology, and behavioural science. Working in the private, public and charity sectors, she developed a passion for cultural development and... Read More →

Laura Joy Pieters

Curator of Mathematical Sciences, Science Museum

Laura Joy Pieters is a curator at the Science Museum, London, where she is passionate about engaging diverse audiences through outputs spanning major galleries and book contributions. She is responsible for the museum’s historic collection of objects relating to astronomy, mathematics... Read More →

Mollie Clay

Learning Development Officer, Field Studies Council

Mollie Clay is a Learning Development Officer with Field Studies Council. Her primary experience surrounds widening participation in the environmental sector for young people, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds.

Jack Monaghan

Science Engagement Manager (Publics and Communities), Wellcome Connecting Science

Jack leads genomics-focused community engagement projects in the Wellcome Connecting Science team. Based in South Cambridgeshire on the Wellcome Genome Campus, Jack has focussed on building relationships with groups in East Anglia with low science engagement opportunity. He is... Read More →

Sophie Ward

Communications and Office Assistant, The Association for Science and Discovery Centres

Sophie joined the ASDC in May this year as a Communications and Admin assistant, and is also a freelance science presenter and communicator. Her work has included presenting Seven Deadly Psychologies and A Recipe for Love for BBC Radio 4, fronting videos for the BBC Earth Kids YouTube... Read More →

Monday November 18, 2024 4:00pm - 5:10pm GMT
Wellcome Trust Hall

Lightning talks

5:10pm GMT

Monday November 18, 2024 5:10pm - 5:15pm GMT

Wellcome Trust Hall

Monday November 18, 2024 5:10pm - 5:15pm GMT
Wellcome Trust Hall

7:00pm GMT

Evening drinks reception

Monday November 18, 2024 7:00pm - 7:30pm GMT

Wellcome Trust Hall

Monday November 18, 2024 7:00pm - 7:30pm GMT
Wellcome Trust Hall

Dinner

7:40pm GMT

Keynote: STEM for All: Science in Society

Monday November 18, 2024 7:40pm - 8:00pm GMT

Wellcome Trust Hall

Speakers

Chi Onwurah

Chair for the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology

Chi Onwurah is a Member of Parliament representing Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West, and the former Shadow Minister Science, Research & Innovation. Born in Wallsend, Chi attended Kenton Comprehensive School in Newcastle, where she was elected the school’s ‘MP’ in mock... Read More →

Monday November 18, 2024 7:40pm - 8:00pm GMT
Wellcome Trust Hall

Keynote

8:00pm GMT

Dinner

Monday November 18, 2024 8:00pm - 8:45pm GMT

Wellcome Trust Hall

Monday November 18, 2024 8:00pm - 8:45pm GMT
Wellcome Trust Hall

Dinner

8:45pm GMT

Marsh Trust with ASDC for Volunteer and Youth Voice Awards

Monday November 18, 2024 8:45pm - 9:00pm GMT

Wellcome Trust Hall

Monday November 18, 2024 8:45pm - 9:00pm GMT
Wellcome Trust Hall

Dinner

8:30am GMT

Registration & pastries

Tuesday November 19, 2024 8:30am - 9:00am GMT

Reception

Start the day with a cup of tea or coffee and a pastry.

Tuesday November 19, 2024 8:30am - 9:00am GMT
Reception

Registration

9:10am GMT

Keynote: Science and Culture: A Shared Endeavour for All

Tuesday November 19, 2024 9:10am - 9:40am GMT

Wellcome Trust Hall

Speakers

Professor Tom Crick, MBE

Chief Scientific Adviser, Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Professor Tom Crick MBE is Chief Scientific Adviser at the UK Government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Professor of Digital Policy at Swansea University. His academic interests sit at the research-policy-practice interface, identifying and addressing domain... Read More →

Tuesday November 19, 2024 9:10am - 9:40am GMT
Wellcome Trust Hall

Keynote

9:50am GMT

Costing the Earth? How organisations can change their buying for a fair and sustainable future

Tuesday November 19, 2024 9:50am - 10:40am GMT

Wolfson Rm 2

Speakers

Elise Foster Vander Elst

Head of Exhibitions and Environmental Impact Lead, Design Museum

Elise Foster Vander Elst has over two decades experience of creating cultural impact through exhibitions, events and action research. Elise is currently Head of Exhibitions and Environmental Impact Lead at the Design Museum. In this role she leads a team to deliver up to ten exhibitions... Read More →

Chris Dunford

Sustainability and Science Director, We The Curious

As Sustainability and Science Director, Chris Dunford has been responsible for ‘Sustainable Futures’ at We The Curious since 2011. During that time, he has introduced a sector-leading programme of environmental best practice, innovative technologies, and organisational change... Read More →

Ella Norwich

Sustainability Coordinator, We The Curious

Ella is the Sustainability Coordinator at We The Curious and the newest member of the Sustainable Futures Team, having joined in April 2023. Her role involves wearing many hats, from coordinating a cross-departmental team focused on sustainability initiatives to processing... Read More →

Tuesday November 19, 2024 9:50am - 10:40am GMT
Wolfson Rm 2

Panel presentation

9:50am GMT

Inclusive and equitable outcomes: A model for evaluation

Tuesday November 19, 2024 9:50am - 10:40am GMT

Wellcome Trust Hall

Speakers

Jen DeWitt

Research & Evaluation Consultant, Freelance

Jen is as a freelance research and evaluation consultant, specialising in STEM engagement and participation, with a particular focus on equity and social justice. A recovering academic, she has worked on the ASPIRES and Enterprising Science projects as part of the core team developing... Read More →

Sophie Bartlett

Educational Researcher

Dr Sophie Bartlett is an educational researcher and evaluator based at Cardiff University and the International Astronomy Union’s Office of Astronomy for Education. Sophie’s research uses both quantitative and qualitative methods to explore how individuals construct attitudes... Read More →

Shaaron Leverment

Chief Executive, The Association for Science and Discovery Centres

Tuesday November 19, 2024 9:50am - 10:40am GMT
Wellcome Trust Hall

Workshop

10:40am GMT

Break and refreshments

Tuesday November 19, 2024 10:40am - 11:10am GMT

City of London rooms

Time for networking, talking to exhibitors and refreshments.

Tuesday November 19, 2024 10:40am - 11:10am GMT
City of London rooms

Break

11:10am GMT

Live Skip the Q podcast panel

Tuesday November 19, 2024 11:10am - 12:00pm GMT

Wolfson Rm 1

Speakers

Paul Marden

CEO, Rubber Cheese

Paul is the CEO of Rubber Cheese, and the co-host of Skip the Queue. He’s a trustee of Kids in Museums and a school governor, and runs a coding club for primary school children.He loves murder mysteries, sci-fi films, and for some reason carries a piece of lego with him whenever... Read More →

Shaaron Leverment

Chief Executive, The Association for Science and Discovery Centres

Tuesday November 19, 2024 11:10am - 12:00pm GMT
Wolfson Rm 1

11:10am GMT

Unleashing the power of the science centre to shift the direction of research

Tuesday November 19, 2024 11:10am - 12:00pm GMT

Wolfson Rm 2

Speakers

Anya Skatova

Director of Digital Footprints Lab, University of Bristol

Dr Anya Skatova is Director of Digital Footprints Lab at the University of Bristol and UKRI Fellow. She is a behavioural scientist, who studies how novel digital footprint data can be used to understand human behaviour and real-life outcomes, such as health. You can find more information... Read More →

Nik Mistry

Head of Curiosity, Wonderseekers

Previously, an academic and secondary science teacher, Nikhil is Head of Curiosity at Winchester Science Centre. He leads the scientific and pedagogical steer for engagement content creation at the centre. Nikhil has been in science communication since 2010, including the running... Read More →

Joe Daly

Open City Research Programme Developer, We The Curious

Joe Daly (they/them) is the Open City Research Programme Developer for We The Curious. They work with researchers to co-create fun interactive activities for visitors contribute to and influence active research happening in the South West. Prior to joining We The Curious they... Read More →

Graham Johnson

Open City Research Manager, We The Curious

Graham Johnson (he/they) is Open City Research Manager at We The Curious. The Open City Research team work on active research projects - both with academics and community researchers - and seek to shift the understanding of what a science centre is. Graham comes to We The Curious form an... Read More →

Emily Mace

Director of Science Engagement, Wonderseekers

Emily joined Wonderseekers nearly 10 years ago as a STEM Officer and has risen through the ranks to Director of Science Engagement. Emily was previously in secondary education, specialising in SEND pedagogy and before that worked as an Ecologist. Emily leads the charities scientific... Read More →

Tuesday November 19, 2024 11:10am - 12:00pm GMT
Wolfson Rm 2

Panel presentation

11:10am GMT

Providing meaningful work and subject experience programmes for young people interested in STEM

Tuesday November 19, 2024 11:10am - 12:00pm GMT

Wellcome Trust Hall

Speakers

David Jones

Community Liaison Manager, International Centre for Life

David has been Life’s Community Liaison Manager for nearly 7 years. He works closely with a wide range of communities including autistic, deaf, sight loss, African, Asian, seeking to improve accessibility for all. This relationship building has led to the creation of volunteering... Read More →

Jenny Search

Head of Schools and Community Engagement, International Centre for Life

Jenny is the Head of Schools and Community Engagement at Life. She manages the team that develop and deliver activities to the school and community groups that visit Life as well as outreach programmes into schools and communities. Life’s community engagement programme works with... Read More →

Tuesday November 19, 2024 11:10am - 12:00pm GMT
Wellcome Trust Hall

Workshop

12:10pm GMT

Informally formal: How science centres collaborate effectively with formal and higher learning organisations and researchers

Tuesday November 19, 2024 12:10pm - 1:00pm GMT

Wolfson Rm 2

Speakers

Caitlin MacInnes

STEM Development Lead , Dundee Science Centre

Caitlin MacInnes (they/she) oversees the development of all the varied STEM engagement Dundee Science Centre - from Space Camps to festivals and everything in between. They work closely with a team of excellent science communicators to deliver meaningful science experiences to people... Read More →

Judith Harvey

Group Head of Learning & Engagement, W5 The Odyssey

Becca Gooch

Head of Research, EngineeringUK

Becca is a researcher with 10 years’ experience researching education, skills, employment, and diversity. She is currently Head of Research at EngineeringUK, a not-for-profit organisation with a mission to enable more young people from all backgrounds to be inspired, informed and... Read More →

Charlotte Coales

Engagement Manager, Imperial College London

As Engagement Manager for capacity building within the central Public And Community Engagement team at Imperial College London, Charlotte leads on providing training and support for staff and students to develop their public engagement skills and ideas. With a BSc (Hons) in Ecology... Read More →

Tuesday November 19, 2024 12:10pm - 1:00pm GMT
Wolfson Rm 2

Panel presentation

12:10pm GMT

Reflecting on Racial Equity: Finding space to develop our understanding and approach to inclusive and racially equitable engagement practices

Tuesday November 19, 2024 12:10pm - 1:00pm GMT

Wellcome Trust Hall

Speakers

Alison Wright

Senior Project Officer, National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement

Alison runs the NCCPE’s inclusion projects and training offer, as well as coordinating a number of culture change programmes. She previously worked at the University of the West of England managing projects focused on Professional Development and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships... Read More →

Maddy Foard

Senior Project Manager, National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement

Maddy oversees the NCCPE’s portfolio of engagement platforms, including the Public Engagement Professionals Network and the Engage Conference. Before joining the NCCPE, Maddy was at The UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres managing the delivery of both national and international... Read More →

Tuesday November 19, 2024 12:10pm - 1:00pm GMT
Wellcome Trust Hall

Panel presentation

12:10pm GMT

Model COP: A platform for youth voice at Kew Gardens

Tuesday November 19, 2024 12:10pm - 1:00pm GMT

Wolfson Rm 1

Speakers

Claire Howard

Youth Programme Coordinator, The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew

Claire Howard (they/them) is the Youth Programme Coordinator at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: a vibrant and oversubscribed programme that reaches over 400 young people each year. Kew’s Youth Programme prioritises long- term, meaningful engagement with the young people it serves... Read More →

Polly Gifford

Grow Wild & Youth Programme Manager, The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew

Polly Gifford (she/her) is the Grow Wild & Youth Programme Manager at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, supporting the strategic development and delivery of both programmes. Grow Wild is Kew’s national outreach programme working across the UK to bring people together to learn about... Read More →

Tuesday November 19, 2024 12:10pm - 1:00pm GMT
Wolfson Rm 1

Workshop

1:00pm GMT

Break for lunch

Tuesday November 19, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm GMT

City of London rooms

Everyone's welcome to enjoy the buffet lunch, explore the exhibitor stands and try making one of the science origami models at the Origami Organelle's stand.

Tuesday November 19, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm GMT
City of London rooms

Break

2:00pm GMT

Keynote and panel: Understanding climate anxiety through children's eyes

Tuesday November 19, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm GMT

Wellcome Trust Hall

Speakers

Caroline Hickman

Psychotherapist, Lecturer and international authority on climate psychology, University of Bath

Caroline Hickman is a psychotherapist and lecturer at the University of Bath, researching children and young people’s emotional responses to climate change in the UK, Brazil, The Maldives, Nigeria & USA. For a decade, she has examined eco-anxiety & distress, eco-empathy, trauma... Read More →

Tuesday November 19, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm GMT
Wellcome Trust Hall

Keynote

2:55pm GMT

Early Years & Learning: Engaging low to medium science capital children through play

Tuesday November 19, 2024 2:55pm - 3:45pm GMT

Wolfson Rm 2

Speakers

Tudor Gwynn

Strategic Projects Director, Eureka! The National Children’s Museum

Tudor has been at Eureka! since 2001 with responsibility for the project management of the re-development and expansion of Eureka!, both in Halifax and on Merseyside. He also has overall responsibility for the facilities management and the exhibition development element of the operation... Read More →

Patch Scales

Audience Researcher, Science and Industry Museum

Patch is an Audience Researcher with the Science Museum Group. Working as part of the Early Years and Learning Project he specialises in Early Years Audiences and Object Engagement. He carries out targeted research to understand and advocate for audiences, supporting the development... Read More →

Tuesday November 19, 2024 2:55pm - 3:45pm GMT
Wolfson Rm 2

Panel presentation

2:55pm GMT

How the perceptions of young people in coding and computer science changed through designing and building bio-robots

Tuesday November 19, 2024 2:55pm - 3:45pm GMT

Wolfson Rm 1

Speakers

Emma Bryant

Senior Research Fellow, Department of Computer Science, UCL

Emma Bryant has over 30 years’ experience in museum education. She enjoys collaborating with colleagues from different disciplines such as scientists, artists, authors, film makers and curators. She has developed many co-curated projects with schools and museums. Coming from an... Read More →

Professor Ifat Yasin

Department of Computer Science, UCL

Ifat Yasin has a background in Audio and an interest in communicating STEM topics through co-created activities with Museums and Centres of Learning. Interests are participatory practice with different populations and age-groups for curiosity-driven activities in physics, computing... Read More →

Tuesday November 19, 2024 2:55pm - 3:45pm GMT
Wolfson Rm 1

Workshop

2:55pm GMT

Responsible AI takes centre stage in a new science show

Tuesday November 19, 2024 2:55pm - 3:45pm GMT

Wellcome Trust Hall

Speakers

Craig Steele

Director, Digital Skills Education

Craig Steele is a computer scientist, educator, published author, and creative technologist, who helps people develop digital skills in a fun and creative environment. His company, Digital Skills Education, helps people to get the most out of technology - at home, in the workplace... Read More →

Daniel Devine

Head of Programmes, Digital Skills Education

Daniel Devine is an engineer and educator specialising in cyber security and AI technology. He has developed engaging educational experiences for thousands of learners over the past 7 years. As a proponent for experience-led learning, Daniel creates and presents online lessons that... Read More →

Kirstie Steele

Project Manager, Digital Skills Education

Kirstie is a performer, AI educator and communication professional, and Project Manager at Digital Skills Education. Kirstie cares about making AI accessible to all, teaching the fundamentals, and helping individuals to feel confident about how it can be used in an ethical way.

Tuesday November 19, 2024 2:55pm - 3:45pm GMT
Wellcome Trust Hall

Workshop