Speaker biographies
Dr Stephen Shaw
The current focus of Steve’s research is the social dimension of heritage-led regeneration. In particular, how to make ‘everyday spaces’ more accessible, safe and welcoming for more people? As Principal Investigator for several recent research programmes funded under EPSRC Sustainable Urban Environments (SUE), he has worked closely with and learnt much from practitioners who’ve risen to this considerable challenge. The aim has been to engage diverse users and would-be users, so that valuable local knowledge and insights can influence schemes to upgrade spaces within the design constraints of ‘live’ projects. Steve’s publication topics, based on his work in the UK and Canada, include the built heritage of ethnic and cultural minorities, inter-culturalism and the public realm. In his previous career, he worked as a chartered town planner, specialising in regeneration and renewal. He is a member of the Cultural Tourism Committee of ICOMOS UK, and chairs the Canada-UK Cities Research Group, which facilitates critical discussion of urban issues and mutual learning between practitioners and researchers in the two countries.
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Mr Chris Smith
Chris Smith is a clinical lecturer in virology at Cambridge University and the founder and managing editor of the Naked Scientists, a science radio show, podcast and website. He has won 6 national and international awards for science communication, published 3 popular science books and appears each week on national radio in several countries to talk about science and medicine.
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Dr Gareth Smith
Originally from Ynys Môn I first came to Cardiff to study Biochemistry and play rugby. My involvement with science communication started way back in 1987 when I saw, and fell in love with, my first hands-on exhibit. Since then I have worked as an exhibit and content developer for various touring and static exhibitions in the UK, mainland Europe and Australia. Shortly after gaining my MSc in Science Communication, and in partnership with NoFit State Circus, I developed and toured Sci-Circus, which was a fusion of circus theatre and exploratory exhibits, all squeezed into a big top. In 2003 I became National Coordinator of mathcymru, a Welsh Assembly Government funded initiative for popularising mathematics; a post based at Techniquest Science Discovery Centre that I held for three years. I am currently Stage and Technical Director, performer and co-producer for the award-winning science engagement theatre show called Visualise. The show has now toured to 11 countries outside the UK. I have also worked as a roustabout, trade fair stand constructor and festival welfare worker. I maintain calm by hill-walking in the Welsh mountains, dj-ing and riding my motorbike, though not all at the same time.
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Dr Rupert Soar
For over 15 years Rupert Soar has been at the forefront of Rapid Prototyping and Rapid Manufacturing. Rupert was a co-founder of the world leading Rapid Manufacturing Research Group (RMRG) in the UK and head of the Loughborough University Freeform Construction (LUFC) group. Rupert is now director of Freeform Engineering Ltd whose partners, researchers and staff are engaged in RM for construction, new construction materials, scripting and modeling systems, optimization and scanning as well as machines capable of ‘3D printing’ full-scale buildings and structures. Freeform Construction embodies the concept of ‘function finding’ [more function into less form]. Famously, Rupert and his collaborators have attracted international coverage through their exploits uncovering transient ventilation strategies and structural homeostasis within sub-Saharan termite mounds, which are completely new to science. Such strategies, reproducible through emerging Freeform Construction methods, stand to revolutionize digital design and construction and epitomize the goals of sustainable methods.
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Dr Gillian Squirrell
Gillian is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Bristol and an organisational consultant. She has a broad ranging social science and management background with particular research interests and management experience within the Third Sector with organisations involved in social inclusion and social change. As both an applied researcher and consultant she has sought to have impact at policy and operational levels. Current research interests lie in the role of universities as institutions in the 21st Century; the changing nature of civil society and public participation; the development of social enterprise and innovation; toxic organisations and cultures and working with organisational change and change as emergent and ambiguous at individual, organisational and whole system levels. The Science Engineering and Researching Change (SEARCH) project has been running for two years (www.researching-change.org/search/indexpages.htm) and focuses on the ways in which engagement can be developed both theoretically and practically and the ways in which scientists and engineers working with engagement can impact in the university as an organisation to develop systemic changes at departmental and whole university levels. The project has been using structured action learning and process consultancy methodologies and is yielding powerful transformative outcomes at personal and system levels.
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Professor Kathy Sykes
Kathy is Professor of Sciences and Society at Bristol University. She has a background in science communication. Some of Kathy's achievements include helping to create a hands-on science centre, Explore; a new Festival of Science in Cheltenham; and Famelab - a national competition, which talent-spots and trains new faces in science communication. Kathy is a member of the Council for Science and Technology (CST), the Government's top-level advisory body on science and technology policy issues. She advises government and several different funders of science on science engagement issues. Kathy appears regularly on radio and television, including the BBC's Rough Science series and Alternative Therapies. She has a PhD in Physics.
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Dr Paula Vandergert
Paula is senior research and futures advisor at CABE, the government advisor on architecture, urban design and public space. A sustainability expert, she has worked on sustainable construction and natural resource management projects and at CABE manages the sustainable cities programme, which is an online resource and learning programme to help strategic decision-makers in cities use sustainable urban design and management to respond to the challenges of climate change. The programme is designed to help decision-makers make informed decisions and prioritise effective spatial policies and actions across different scales and issues, in the context of delivering good quality places that are socially and economically vibrant. The aim is to provide orientation in a complex environment, helping users to make sense of the vast amount of literature emerging on climate change.
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Dr Geoff Watts
Geoff Watts spent five years in medical research, working on cancer and the effects of lasers on the eye. But he abandoned an academic career in favour of science and medical journalism. He started in print, and between 1972 and 1980 worked for World Medicine magazine - first as science editor and then as deputy editor. It was during this time that he began broadcasting. He has presented countless features and series - notably Science Now and Medicine Now - for BBC Radio’s domestic networks, and for the BBC World Service. He is now the presenter of BBC Radio 4’s science magazine programme Leading Edge. He has written books on the irritable bowel syndrome and the placebo effect, and contributed chapters to two more on the future of medicine. His work has been recognised in many writing and broadcasting awards, and in 2003 he was made a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences. He divides his time between writing, broadcasting, and media consultancy work. He served for six years on the UK Government’s Human Genetics Commission, and is currently a member of the Government’s Committee on the Ethical Aspects of Pandemic Influenza.
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The current focus of Steve’s research is the social dimension of heritage-led regeneration. In particular, how to make ‘everyday spaces’ more accessible, safe and welcoming for more people? As Principal Investigator for several recent research programmes funded under EPSRC Sustainable Urban Environments (SUE), he has worked closely with and learnt much from practitioners who’ve risen to this considerable challenge. The aim has been to engage diverse users and would-be users, so that valuable local knowledge and insights can influence schemes to upgrade spaces within the design constraints of ‘live’ projects. Steve’s publication topics, based on his work in the UK and Canada, include the built heritage of ethnic and cultural minorities, inter-culturalism and the public realm. In his previous career, he worked as a chartered town planner, specialising in regeneration and renewal. He is a member of the Cultural Tourism Committee of ICOMOS UK, and chairs the Canada-UK Cities Research Group, which facilitates critical discussion of urban issues and mutual learning between practitioners and researchers in the two countries.
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Mr Chris Smith
Chris Smith is a clinical lecturer in virology at Cambridge University and the founder and managing editor of the Naked Scientists, a science radio show, podcast and website. He has won 6 national and international awards for science communication, published 3 popular science books and appears each week on national radio in several countries to talk about science and medicine.
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Dr Gareth Smith
Originally from Ynys Môn I first came to Cardiff to study Biochemistry and play rugby. My involvement with science communication started way back in 1987 when I saw, and fell in love with, my first hands-on exhibit. Since then I have worked as an exhibit and content developer for various touring and static exhibitions in the UK, mainland Europe and Australia. Shortly after gaining my MSc in Science Communication, and in partnership with NoFit State Circus, I developed and toured Sci-Circus, which was a fusion of circus theatre and exploratory exhibits, all squeezed into a big top. In 2003 I became National Coordinator of mathcymru, a Welsh Assembly Government funded initiative for popularising mathematics; a post based at Techniquest Science Discovery Centre that I held for three years. I am currently Stage and Technical Director, performer and co-producer for the award-winning science engagement theatre show called Visualise. The show has now toured to 11 countries outside the UK. I have also worked as a roustabout, trade fair stand constructor and festival welfare worker. I maintain calm by hill-walking in the Welsh mountains, dj-ing and riding my motorbike, though not all at the same time.
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Dr Rupert Soar
For over 15 years Rupert Soar has been at the forefront of Rapid Prototyping and Rapid Manufacturing. Rupert was a co-founder of the world leading Rapid Manufacturing Research Group (RMRG) in the UK and head of the Loughborough University Freeform Construction (LUFC) group. Rupert is now director of Freeform Engineering Ltd whose partners, researchers and staff are engaged in RM for construction, new construction materials, scripting and modeling systems, optimization and scanning as well as machines capable of ‘3D printing’ full-scale buildings and structures. Freeform Construction embodies the concept of ‘function finding’ [more function into less form]. Famously, Rupert and his collaborators have attracted international coverage through their exploits uncovering transient ventilation strategies and structural homeostasis within sub-Saharan termite mounds, which are completely new to science. Such strategies, reproducible through emerging Freeform Construction methods, stand to revolutionize digital design and construction and epitomize the goals of sustainable methods.
Return to speaker page
Dr Gillian Squirrell
Gillian is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Bristol and an organisational consultant. She has a broad ranging social science and management background with particular research interests and management experience within the Third Sector with organisations involved in social inclusion and social change. As both an applied researcher and consultant she has sought to have impact at policy and operational levels. Current research interests lie in the role of universities as institutions in the 21st Century; the changing nature of civil society and public participation; the development of social enterprise and innovation; toxic organisations and cultures and working with organisational change and change as emergent and ambiguous at individual, organisational and whole system levels. The Science Engineering and Researching Change (SEARCH) project has been running for two years (www.researching-change.org/search/indexpages.htm) and focuses on the ways in which engagement can be developed both theoretically and practically and the ways in which scientists and engineers working with engagement can impact in the university as an organisation to develop systemic changes at departmental and whole university levels. The project has been using structured action learning and process consultancy methodologies and is yielding powerful transformative outcomes at personal and system levels.
Return to speaker page
Professor Kathy Sykes
Kathy is Professor of Sciences and Society at Bristol University. She has a background in science communication. Some of Kathy's achievements include helping to create a hands-on science centre, Explore; a new Festival of Science in Cheltenham; and Famelab - a national competition, which talent-spots and trains new faces in science communication. Kathy is a member of the Council for Science and Technology (CST), the Government's top-level advisory body on science and technology policy issues. She advises government and several different funders of science on science engagement issues. Kathy appears regularly on radio and television, including the BBC's Rough Science series and Alternative Therapies. She has a PhD in Physics.
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Dr Paula Vandergert
Paula is senior research and futures advisor at CABE, the government advisor on architecture, urban design and public space. A sustainability expert, she has worked on sustainable construction and natural resource management projects and at CABE manages the sustainable cities programme, which is an online resource and learning programme to help strategic decision-makers in cities use sustainable urban design and management to respond to the challenges of climate change. The programme is designed to help decision-makers make informed decisions and prioritise effective spatial policies and actions across different scales and issues, in the context of delivering good quality places that are socially and economically vibrant. The aim is to provide orientation in a complex environment, helping users to make sense of the vast amount of literature emerging on climate change.
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Dr Geoff Watts
Geoff Watts spent five years in medical research, working on cancer and the effects of lasers on the eye. But he abandoned an academic career in favour of science and medical journalism. He started in print, and between 1972 and 1980 worked for World Medicine magazine - first as science editor and then as deputy editor. It was during this time that he began broadcasting. He has presented countless features and series - notably Science Now and Medicine Now - for BBC Radio’s domestic networks, and for the BBC World Service. He is now the presenter of BBC Radio 4’s science magazine programme Leading Edge. He has written books on the irritable bowel syndrome and the placebo effect, and contributed chapters to two more on the future of medicine. His work has been recognised in many writing and broadcasting awards, and in 2003 he was made a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences. He divides his time between writing, broadcasting, and media consultancy work. He served for six years on the UK Government’s Human Genetics Commission, and is currently a member of the Government’s Committee on the Ethical Aspects of Pandemic Influenza.
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