Interviews on wonder, curiosity and creativity
Huw James is a Welsh Science Presenter. He’s presented live science to over 750,00 people on 6 continents and had over 2 million views online. His background is in Astronomy and Space Science and Geology. He now makes educational material including films, photography and live classroom talks in geographically interesting locations worldwide.
Jack Kirby is Group Head of Collections Services for the Science Museum Group. He has worked with diverse communities in London and Birmingham and curated collections of national significance. Jack has responsibility for caring for, digitising and managing the Science Museum Group's internationally outstanding collection. Based in Manchester, UK, he leads teams across five museums and two collections facilities, from County Durham to Wiltshire.
Brian Mackenwells spent many years working in science communication, delivering and developing science shows and workshops for school and family audiences, as well as for adults. He now supports researchers to engage the public with their work. He also writes audio drama and theatre, and can also be found on stage doing standup about pencils. He has only made two children cry in the course of his career to date.
Marcus Weber is the founder of “Physikanten & Co.”, a team of scientists, actors and presenters. They have already enthralled more than one million spectators with their spectacular and funny physics and science shows. They perform at company events, conferences and schools in Germany, Europe, in the middle and the far east. Physicist Marcus Weber and his team have created many scientific programmes for TV. The impact of the Physikanten’s activities is regularly acknowledged; they were awarded a medal for scientific journalism, presented by the Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft and won – three times already – the best demo competition of the British Interactive Group.
Science magician Dr Matt Pritchard is a Curator of Wonder. As an independent science communicator he works with over 100 schools and universities a year. Previously Matt conducted atomic physics research at Durham University. He subsequently went on to work within the Education department at Thinktank Science Museum, Birmingham before setting up his own company. In addition to this experience, he has spent the last 20 years working as a professional magician and is an Associate of the Inner Magic Circle - one of only 300 people in the world to hold this distinction.
Tom Pringle (AKA Dr Bunhead) has been a globe-trotting, freelance science communicator for over 20 years and is internationally renowned as a pioneer of performance-science shows and immersive training programmes. He has performed on TV (Brainiac, Blue Peter etc.) and in theatres and schools across 30 countries. He has trained thousands of people (including scientists, students, teachers, technicians & science presenters) in many languages and cultures, across all six inhabited continents. Occasionally, he writes for press, educational journals and books. Tom embraces science, education, physical theatre, dance, puppetry and applied improvisation to deliver innovative and impactful science communication and CPD for school teachers and academics.
Jonathan Sanderson is a lapsed physicist and occasional filmmaker, now unexpectedly an academic working on widening participation projects at Northumbria University. He trains science and engineering performers internationally, and has research interests in digital making, tinkering education, and diversity in the STEM workforce.
Dr Ken perfected his skills as a science presenter by working as a street performer, mime, school teacher and in television production. He has toured his shows and workshops in schools, science and arts festivals worldwide. He creates inspirational shows and workshops for schools at all levels and delivers development programmes for educational professionals, academics and businesses. He is currently an honorary lecturer in science communication at the University of East Anglia.
Renee loves explosive ideas and is partial to a flashy science show. If she isn't up to her eyes experimenting or in a school making kids go Wow! she can be found on her soapbox about science being for everyone! Renee trained as a Biochemist before setting up WATS.ON. She ran the Oxford Science Festival and is the founder of The Curiosity Box, a STEM community and subscription for families.
Trained as a neuroscientist, she now works in science communication and education. She has worked in science education at The Physiological Society, Nesta, Planet Science, Science in School, Ignite! and Queen Mary University of London. Her MA research looking into how young people learn accurate science from the entertainment media, saw her take up an International Fellowship at the National Science Foundation, Washington, D.C. and a Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Travel Fellowship. She currently works with teachers, artists, pathologists, conservationists and preschoolers…but not at the same time (well, not always).
Words on Wonder 