Experienced freelance writer, editor, content and program developer specialising in cycling and science. Previously Deputy Editor of the highly successful Total Women’s Cycling website, and project manager on the Total Women’s Cycling Awards 2015. Extensive experience within the heritage sector, working at the Natural History Museum, London, as a presenter, event developer and science communicator as part of the Nature Live science communication team. Generates engaging content, innovative and award-winning events for a wide range of audiences, and cultivates lasting relationships and partnerships with internal stakeholders, external organisations and industry representatives.

Employment History;

May 2015 – ongoing –  BikeRadar Women & BikeRadar, Immediate Media
Freelance writer and editor

  • Recruited to expand female specific content on BikeRadar, producing directly or commissioning articles and engaging the audience via social media channels and independent contacts.
  • Conducted audience and SEO research to identify key areas of interest for the target market, and areas for improvement for the BikeRadar website.
  • Developed effective and mutually beneficial internal and external working relationships with key stakeholders and key industry contacts such as distributors, retailers and media outlets.
  • Represented BikeRadar at a number of industry events and product launches.
  • Working to ensure robust review process both internally and with contributing reviewers.
  • Role extended to cover general cycling news and events.

Jan 2015 – June 2015 – Soapbox Science, University of Bristol
Media & Events Coordinator

  • Responsible for organisational support for national event series for the general public with a focus on women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine.
  • Liaised with local and national press, produced regular press releases and developed contacts with specialist and national media outlets.
  • Set and managed multiple work streams, managing time efficiently to meet deadlines to ensure project progressed on time and on budget. This included setting target dates for speaker recruitment, information for local organisers
  • Developed and delivered bespoke public engagement and presentations skills training program.

June 2013 – October 2014 – Total Women’s Cycling, Factory Media Ltd
Deputy Editor

  • Responsibilities include day-to-day management of the Total Women’s Cycling website including editorial schedule management, uploading of content via WordPress, monitoring social media channels, and liaising with internal and external stakeholders and sales teams. Production and distribution of bi-weekly newsletter.
  • On a daily basis, research and write articles covering news, event round-ups, topical issues, and source appropriate supporting images, working to deadline. Attend major cycling events of interest to the target audience, and represented the brand effectively at product launches, trade shows and commercial meetings. Arrange and conduct interviews with professional athletes, industry experts, and individuals with compelling stories.
  • Test and review products, including bikes, clothing and kit. Use knowledge and understanding of technology and product to produce accurate and interesting reviews.
  • Identify, develop and manage a bank of contributors, agree fees, manage contributor budget and schedule, and copy-edit submitted content.
  • Working with the editor, develop the audience profile and editorial schedule, including defining article formats to suit the interests and needs of various audience segments.
  • Co-developed and delivered the first ever cycling industry awards focused solely on the rapidly growing female audience, and project lead on the 2015 Awards.

2003 to 2013 – The Natural History Museum, London
Nature Live Science Communicator and Event Host

  • Responsible for research, development and effective delivery of a daily public events program, evening event program, and corporate/press events. These successful events are tailored to their audiences, which include adults, families, schools and corporate partners. Events cover a range of innovative formats such as game-show, discussion and informal interview styles, bringing together images, videos, live video links to field work and collections, and speakers from both the Museum and external organisations. An increasing proportion of events are also now streamed online.
  • Development and event management of Crime Scene Live, an award-winning income generating events program attracting a young adult audience, non-traditional for the venue. This event won the Gold Award for ‘Best Event in a Public Space’ at the 2011 Eventia Awards, Silver for ‘Best Experiential Event’ and was a finalist in the ‘Creative Use of Technology’ category. Drawing together theatrical immersive scenario techniques with real-life forensic scientists, barristers and the Metropolitan Police, this event gives an accurate and topical portrayal of forensics in a real-world context. Regularly selling out, this event runs regularly throughout the year.
  • Operational management of daily and evening events, including effective liaison with internal stakeholders, press, marketing and media support.
  • Development of marketing text, and use of social media to engage and retain online audience. This includes production of event marketing text, sourcing images, producing blog posts, and tweeting live from discussion events.

2013 to 2014- Evans Cycles – Sales staff

  • Part of the sales team at the inner-city Victoria branch of Evans Cycles, responsible for advising customers, maintaining a clean and attractive shop floor, booking and receiving workshop jobs, and ordering customer requests.

2012- StoryLab Ltd – Senior exhibition researcher

  • Content researcher and producer for the blockbuster Eco Future exhibition, which ran at Manarat al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi. http://www.storylabltd.com/index.html and http://www.storylabltd.com/EcoFuture/en/
  • Sourced culturally relevant display objects, images, and produced exhibition label text.
  • Advised on streamlining of social media output, website structure and search engine optimization.

2007 – 12 – Communis Ltd – Content producer and graphic artist

  • Production of educational material for schools in support of the Roots & Shoots project, part of the Jane Goodall Trust
  • Developed and drew the characters of Roots and Shoots for supporting online comic.
  • http://www.rootsnshoots.org.uk

2000 to 2004 – The Natural History Museum, London – Front of House Team Member

  • Extensive face to face contact with visitors, development and delivery of gallery talks on a number of topics including the history of the Natural History Museum, and Volcanoes and Earthquakes

Qualifications;

2010-2013 University of the West of England
MSc Science Communication

  • Widely acclaimed course focusing on the history of science communication, production of content, broadcast media and writing.
  • Final project research investigated the increasing prevalence of immersive scenarios in theatre and film events, the main features of this format, and how it could be used in Science Communication.

1999 – 2003 Imperial College London
BSc Geological Sciences, 2:2

1992 – 1999 Gumley House School
A-Level Biology (B), Chemistry (E) and Physics (C)
GCSE; 11 including French, Math and English

Training and IT;

Computer skills
Adept at Microsoft Office and Project, WordPress, Dreamweaver, Final Cut Pro, Photoshop and Audacity. I use these as part of my professional life regularly, and also in the production of graphic art.