Meet the NCCPE team
Find out more about the NCCPE team members and get in touch with us - we'd love to hear from you.
Sophie oversees the work of the centre including communications, partnerships and externally-funded NCCPE projects. She develops and manages key NCCPE programmes to embed engagement into the higher education sector, including the Watermark, and co-edits Research for All. A physicist by training, Sophie has worked in engagement all her career, including at the Science Museum in London; Science Year; and the BBC, where she managed the creation and delivery of national engagement campaigns.
Paul is responsible for the strategic direction of the centre. Originally he trained as a secondary English teacher, then worked for twelve years at the Open University as a producer of TV, radio and multimedia, before joining the BBC as an executive producer of a number of national public engagement campaigns. He advises a number of national organisations on learning and engagement, including the National Trust and the Science Museum.
Katherine is responsible for leading and developing the Centre’s portfolio of products and services as well as ensuring the smooth running of the Centre’s operations. Katherine has a background in leading major projects, strategy/policy development and change management gained from working in Whitehall as well as in the HEI sector and private business. Having started her career in marketing, she has always been very customer focussed. Outside of work, Katherine is an award-winning garden designer and is never happier than when she’s outdoors with her two little cockapoos.
Maddy manages the NCCPE’s portfolio of external projects, as well as leading on the Engage Conference. Before coming to the NCCPE, Maddy was at The UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres managing the delivery of both national and international projects such as Explore Your Universe and CIMULACT. Maddy also spent five years working with Einstein’s Garden at Green Man Festival to curate experiences inspired by science and nature. In her spare time she can be found at a festival, playing music, or at her pottery class.
Gemma is the NCCPE’s Lead for the National Civic Impact Accelerator, managing an England-wide action learning programme with universities to collectively develop more effective civic engagement. Before joining the NCCPE, Gemma worked at Future Quest, the Bristol and South Gloucestershire Uni Connect Programme which aimed to equip learners from underrepresented groups to make informed choices about their options in relation to routes into and through higher education. Prior to that, Gemma taught as a secondary art teacher. Outside of work, Gemma enjoys being creative, being in nature, attending festivals and singing in a choir.
Jack is the Team Assistant, providing support to NCCPE’s Assistant Operations Manager. Before joining the NCCPE, Jack studied English, Music and Creative Writing at the University of Southampton. His free time is often spent exploring Bristol, writing fiction, and making lots of noise with too many guitar pedals.
Siân coordinates some of NCCPE’s projects. She is dedicated to engagement with research having worked in the field for most of her career. She has direct experience as a practitioner, researcher, funder and capacity builder. She has sat in informal learning teams of the museum sector, central public engagement teams within higher education and as a programme manager for an international portfolio of funding. She brings to her role an interest in participatory and arts-based approaches, a commitment to social justice, and an impatience for change. Her personal time is spent by the sea or in some woods, practicing illustration or tidying up Lego.
Alyssa coordinates projects, focusing on the NERC Researcher Engage Academy. Previously, Alyssa was the Community Engagement Coordinator at the British Science Association where she worked with communities and community leaders to engage with science on their own terms. She has also spent time working on the British Science Festival and For Thought leadership summit. In her spare time, Alyssa can be found working out, cooking a new recipe, or listening to and making podcasts.
Lizzie manages the NCCPE’S operations and finances, leading on the delivery of NCCPE services and products such as the Engage Watermark, and the EDGE Tool Survey. Before joining the NCCPE, Lizzie worked in the culture sector, as Development Manager for The Mozartists, and most recently in Bristol City Council’s Culture Team where she supported the council’s cultural funding programmes. Lizzie also spent two years working in communications at the University of Brighton. Outside of work, Lizzie’s time is spent painting and printmaking in her make-shift home studio and seeking out wild swimming spots.
Zoe coordinates the action learning programme for the National Civic Impact Accelerator. Zoe has a passion for enthusing audiences about STEM, before joining the NCCPE, Zoe worked at Museums Northumberland managing the delivery of two funded STEM engagement programmes. Zoe has also led a STEM ambassador hub, been a secondary physics teacher, worked in education teams in museums and founded and ran a hospitality business. Outside of work, Zoe can be found running the occasional marathon, reading a book, or drinking coffee.
Hannah provides general administration to the NCCPE operations team, focusing on contracts, events, Engage Watermark Award, Engage Survey and more. Before joining the NCCPE, Hannah was a freelance theatre-maker and Director who specialised in devised, autobiographical theatre. She spent two years in Paris where she trained in movement and mime (she can do an excellent impression of climbing a wall!) and has taken numerous productions to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Hannah also enjoys cycling, climbing and drinking lots of coffee.
Liz supports NCCPE Co-directors Sophie and Paul with diary management and all other executive assistance. Liz spent four years as a Personal Assistant with the General Medical Council and Aardman Animations at a senior level. She has experience in creating impactful change which she brings to this growing team. In her spare time, Liz reads tarot for clients and friends, or can be found travelling the UK with her partners band as they tour the folk festival scene.
Laura manages communications for the NCCPE, leading on developing and delivering the Centre’s communication strategy and plans, showcasing its work, and overseeing multiple channels. With a degree in Communications and a background in marketing, PR and campaign management in the public and charity sector, Laura is passionate about delivering impactful communication strategies. Her passions outside work include nature, volunteering, paddleboarding, music and food.
Jackie coordinates some of NCCPE’s projects. Before joining the NCCPE Jackie worked for Bristol City Council’s Culture department, leading the Participation team, where she managed community and young people’s engagement work as well as volunteering. Jackie has a background in adult & community learning and worked at the Community Learning Service in Bristol. Outside of work, Jackie enjoys walking in woods or by water, cycling, reading books and watching wildlife.
Ann is the NCCPE's lead on research and policy, focusing on engaged research, collaboration and leadership. Before joining the NCCPE, Ann was a Senior Lecturer with the Open University and before that, lectured in science communication at the University of Western Australia and the University of the West of England, Bristol. Outside work, Ann is the volunteer co-ordinator for the international Café Scientifique network and enjoys embroidery, knitting and reading.