Generally useful person. In no particular order: STEM communication and engagement specialist, beekeeper, chicken keeper, vegetable grower, STEM Ambassador, weightlifter, Pilates learner, petrolhead, foodie, drinkie.
Why blog?
I started this blog for many reasons. I want to learn more about the techniques of writing and blogging as an aspect of engagement and STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) communication; I specialise in working face-to-face with people so engaging via the written word is a whole new experience. I’ve been asked to train others to blog as it’s a useful tool for raising the profile of research and researchers so it helps to know about it yourself. I feel brave enough to take myself out of my comfort zone and put my thoughts out there. It’s mainly about things I do (they’re going to be quite eclectic, as you can see from the list above) and will probably be in no particular order. I don’t pretend to have all the answers but I do have lots of questions.
My background
My first degree is Environmental Pollution Science and in 2006 I was lucky enough to be awarded a scholarship to study an MSc Communicating Science. Since 2003 I’ve worked on a variety of science communication and/or engagement projects, working with many audiences using various approaches and techniques. I currently work for Cardiff University School of Engineering on Impact and the REF and my views are my own. I chair the university’s Gender Equality Steering Group as well as co-organising the Engagement and Outreach Network (EON) and Trevithick Women in STEM group (TWISTEM). You can find me on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Beekeeper
Training with Cardiff, Vale and Valleys Beekeepers Association in 2012, I shadowed and learned from other beekeepers whilst looking for an apiary site. In autumn 2014 I became part of the new beekeeping team at the National History Museum St Fagans. I joined the committee in 2013, helping to organise the events programme and became Chair in 2017, stepping down in 2019.
Thanks
I’d like to thank my friends Laura Smith and Becca Smithers for helping me to set this up and teaching me the basics. Any mistakes and all views are my own.
The Obee Reardon 