Wednesday 25 March, 12:30pm
Attendees
46 attendees including 10 committee members
Agenda
- Update from the Co-Chairs
- Update from the Treasurer on the accounts
- Approving the accounts
- Appointing auditors for the next year
- Vote on amending constitution to create two Digital Content Officer roles – a vote didn’t take place last year
- Appointing new committee members
- Announcing the winner of the Rob Dawson Award
- Closing remarks and moment of reflection for Ruth Francis
Committee Nominees (see appendix for personal statements)
- Co-Chairs: 1 joint nomination for 2 positions
- Membership Officer: 1 nominee for 1 position
- Digital Content Officer: 2 nominations for 2 positions
- Newsletter Coordinator: 1 nomination for 1 position
- Events Coordinator: 1 nomination for 1 position
Minutes
- Update from Co-chairs
Co-chair Shane Canning opened the meeting with an update on Stempra events this year. We’ve gone from strength to strength with events and our Lunch and Learn events have been very popular throughout the year. We also went global for the first time with our Asia focussed event. We have lots more planned in the coming year.
Our flagship event – renamed the Communications Training Day – was a huge success again this year. We changed the name of the event to better reflect the membership as we know that our roles extend further than just press officers. We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who attended and made the day so brilliant, and a big thank you again to Wellcome for hosting and EurekAlert for their support.
Co-chair Fareha Lasker highlighted the excellent collaboration that has happened across the committee and membership in the last year. We’ve had a sub-committee led initiative for launching new AI guidelines and also our membership survey. The AI guidelines are an important way to support the membership as the AI landscape and the way we work with it changes. Our membership survey was commissioned to better understand the membership and improve what we offer to all our members. 20% of the membership completed the survey.
Updating the website and social channels has been a highlight of the last year too. We’re creating more engaging content, and involving our members in blog writing.
- Update from the Treasurer on the accounts
- Approving the accounts
- Appointing auditors for next year
Treasurer Ed Day updated on the major spends of the year and noted we still have a healthy surplus. In the next year we will look to use some of this money to host regional events and socials for the membership. Ed thanked the auditors Hannah Taylor-Lewis and Kerry Noble. They have also agreed to audit the accounts next year.
Ed invited the membership to suggest ideas of how we could spend some of the surplus. No comments were given at the AGM. The membership voted to approve the accounts.
- Vote on amending constitution to create two Digital Content Officer roles – a vote didn’t take place last year
The membership voted on changing the constitution to have two Digital Content Officers due to the amount of work needed on the website and digital content.
Vote: 36 people voted, all voted in favour of this amendment.
- Appointing new committee members
The Co-chairs extended their thanks for all the committee members who are stepping down – Freya, Arjun and Nicola, and appreciated their passion and commitment. Thanks was also given to the members who are staying on the committee.
Nominees for the committee were introduced and given the opportunity to say why they were standing for a position. An anonymous vote was held.
There was no opposition from the membership. We welcomed Dan Richards-Doran as Membership Officer, Inês Crespo and Katrina Nevin-Ridley as Co-Chairs, Grace Tyrrell as Digital Content Officer, Vanessa Bismuth as Newsletter Coordinator, Anna Purdue as Digital Content Officer and Kasia Kokowaska as Events Coordinator.
- Announcing the winner of the Rob Dawson Award
Caitlin Higgott had the pleasure of announcing the Rob Dawson Award for excellent mentors across the industry. There were so many nominations and they were judged by volunteers from the committee and membership.
The winner was: Morgane Daneilou, nominated by Stephanie Moumtzis. For going above and beyond to have a positive impact on Stephanie’s life and career.
Highly commended was: Duncan Banks. For consistently using his position and privileges to support and promote the learning opportunities, and visibility of people from less advantaged backgrounds.
- Closing remarks and moment of reflection for Ruth Francis
Co-Chair Fareha noted the highs of the success of the last year and the new committee, and also the low of having lost those that were close to us. As a membership we are generous and talented, and we’ve leaned into that to create great things this year. All members are reminded to get involved in opportunities within Stempra and share ideas.
Co-Chair Shane reflected on his reason for joining Stempra, and that was Ruth Francis. Ruth was a former Co-Chair of Stempra and a well known Stempra member and valued contributor to the science communication community for many years. Ruth sadly died earlier this month.
Stempra is a community that supports each other and lifts each other up. Ruth suggested the Co-Chair approach, which has worked exceptionally well and will continue to do so with the new committee.
There was a moment of reflection for Ruth.
She meant so much to so many across our community and her loss will be felt by so many. But our best way to honour her memory is to keep the Stempra community vibrant. We’ll update the membership on ways to honour Ruth in the near future.
ENDS
Appendix
Nominees
Co-chairs: 1 joint applications for 2 co-chairs
Katrina Nevin-Ridley, Queen Mary University of London and Inês Crespo, University of Glasgow
- Proposed by Shane Canning and Fareha Lasker
We are standing jointly for Co-Chair because Stempra has always felt like more than a professional network – it is a community that supports, inspires, and learns from one another. As science communication continues to evolve rapidly, we believe Stempra plays an essential role in bringing people together and helping our profession thrive.
We will nurture an open and welcoming community where members feel comfortable sharing both successes and challenges.
We are keen to rebuild opportunities to connect face to face while maintaining the accessibility and inclusivity that online participation enables.
We will listen to our members through conversation and feedback, ensuring Stempra continues to reflect their needs and experiences.
Collaboration sits at the heart of our vision. We hope to strengthen relationships and forge new partnerships across universities, charities, industry, funders, government, and organisations closely connected to our work, such as the Science Media Centre. We also want to learn from innovative communications leaders beyond our sector.
We are passionate about supporting careers at every stage, from early career professionals to senior leaders. We will create spaces to share experiences, explore flexible ways of working, support career progression, and navigate emerging challenges such as the growing role of AI in our profession.
With several years’ experience serving on the Stempra committee, we bring professional expertise from senior roles across universities, funding bodies and charities. Above all, we want Stempra to remain a trusted, supportive space where members can connect, debate respectfully, challenge constructively and grow together. As Co-Chairs, we will listen actively, lead collaboratively, and champion openness, inclusivity and professionalism to ensure Stempra continues to thrive.
Digital Content Officer: 2 nominations for 2 positions
Grace Tyrrell, UK Biobank
- Proposed by Ed Day and Freya Robb
I have been a STEMPRA member for the last 2 years and have enjoyed attending in person/online events as well as meeting new people working in the science communication field. I would like to take on a more proactive role on the committee and expand my comms skillset as a result.
I would be keen to build my professional network and learn more about organisations I don’t normally work with. I really like the community aspect of STEMPRA, and how people are happy to share learnings from current challenges they’re facing in the field. As a Digital Content Officer, I would like to look for opportunities to build upon these conversations further, when thinking about content to commission for the website.
I would be a good addition to the committee as I’m organised, hard-working and see the importance of networks such as STEMPRA. For example, I helped to kick start an early career science writer network, linked to the ABSW. I hope that being in the first 5 years of my sci comm career would allow me to bring a useful outlook to the committee, and help to shape events aimed at early-career members.
I have website experience in my current role as a Press Officer (creating new pages and editing copy on existing pages), and would be interested to expand upon my other digital skills, including social media. I would also like to develop new skills, such as supporting with event planning.
Anna Purdue, RAL Space
- Proposed by Rosie de Laune and Jake Hepburn
Having attended Stempra’s press officer training day last year, as well as several virtual events, I’ve really valued being part of a community of PR professionals who understand the unique challenges (and fun!) of communicating STEM. It has helped me to grow my confidence and skills as a communicator and I’d love the chance to actively contribute to Stempra.
My last three digital communications roles have been rooted in the space sector. I currently co-ordinate digital content and media relations for the UK’s national space lab, STFC’s RAL Space, and have previously worked in digital roles at space marketing firm AstroAgency and the European Southern Observatory in Germany.
Although space has been a consistent theme in my career, I’ve made an effort to learn from communicators across a wide range of sectors. This included an internship at the Science Media Centre and regular collaboration with colleagues across STFC and UKRI. I’m a firm believer that the principles of good communications are universal, which is why networks like Stempra are so valuable: they give us space to share ideas, approaches, and learn from each other outside our usual areas of work.
As a member of the Stempra committee, I’d hope to enable more of this. Storytelling is central to my current role, and I’d like to use that experience to highlight PR expertise within and beyond Stempra, and to ensure events, opportunities, and member achievements are showcased effectively through our online presence, so we can continue to learn from each other.
Membership officer: 1 nomination for 1 position
Dan Richards-Doran, Campus PR & Communications
- Proposed by Ruth Francis and Heather Holve
Stempra has been a valuable source of learning, advice and support to me as I’ve navigated a career in science communications. I feel it’s so important for UK research to have the backing of a dedicated communications network, particularly as some of the challenges we face as communicators are very unique to STEM. As a Stempra member for several years, I’d like to give something back and so would like to be considered as Membership Officer.
I’ve always been lucky in my various comms and engagement roles to work across the UK with so many diverse STEM organisations and the talented people in them. Having relocated from London to Oxford and now Southwest Wales, I’m particularly keen to represent the UK’s wider regions on the committee and will work to ensure an open and inclusive approach to engagement with new and existing Stempra members – wherever they may be based. As an organised record keeper, I’m happy to manage the administration side of Stempra’s membership scheme and be a friendly point-of-contact and solutions-finder for enquiries. Right now, I’m particularly enjoying being a mentor on the Stempra Buddy Scheme and so would love to have the opportunity to contribute more to Stempra’s mission.
Newsletter co-ordinator: 1 nomination for 1 position
Vanessa Bismuth, University of Cambridge (Cavendish Laboratory – Department of Physics)
- Proposed by Inês Crespo and Freya Robb
In my current role as Communications and Events Manager at the University of Cambridge (Department of Physics), I communicate ground-breaking physics research with audiences ranging from prospective students and staff to funders and the global physics community. I also produce a weekly newsletter, distilling the most relevant stories for busy physicists. I have extensive experience in how to identify and highlight engaging stories that capture the attention of busy professionals, and I’m excited to apply these skills as Stempra’s Newsletter Coordinator.
I have been part of Stempra for five years, ever since I stepped into my role at the University. Throughout this time, the network has been invaluable, providing support, professional development, and a platform for exchanging ideas, tips and resources. I’m grateful for this community and keen to give back.
I recently served on the organising committee for the Stempra Communications Training Day 2026, an experience that was both rewarding and motivating. It has encouraged me to take the next step and contribute more. I’d love to support STEMPRA’s continued success so it can keep providing great value to its members.
Events co-ordinator: 1 position vacant due to current events co-ordinator nomination for alternative role
Kasia Kokowska, University of Glasgow
- Proposed by Shane Canning and Inês Crespo
I’ve been a member of Stempra for seven years and have found it to be an exceptionally supportive network. In 2024 I joined the organising committee for the Stempra Scotland event, which was one of the most collegial experiences of my professional life. While searching for a new role in 2025, I reached out to Stempra colleagues and found support, advice and endorsement at every turn. It feels like the right time to give back to a community that gave me a real boost of confidence when I needed it most.
I bring 20 years of experience in higher education, a background in journalism, science communication and public engagement — disciplines I’ve studied formally and hold master’s degrees in both. Currently I provide communications expertise for a strategic HE programme at the University of Glasgow, Glasgow Changing Futures, and support communications for the multi-institutional consortium Scotland Beyond Net Zero and the pan-national Universitas 21 project Nature Positive Coalition.
I have experience organising a wide range of events — from small community gatherings and public engagement activities to large academic conferences and away days. As a team manager and lead volunteer in a community group, I’ve developed strong coordination skills, bringing people together and keeping things moving.
If successful, I would bring a calm, methodical approach to the role, working collaboratively with the committee to develop an events programme that is engaging and reflective of the community’s needs.
I would bring enthusiasm, relevant experience and appreciation for what Stempra does to this role.