Meet the staff

Tim Birkhead

Professor of Behaviour and Evolution in the Department of Animal and Plant sciences where he researches promiscuity and sperm competition in birds. He has given many talks to non-scientists at book festivals, the Royal Institution, at Café Scientifique and elsewhere. He has written for New Scientist, BBC Wildlife, Natural History magazine and the Independent and has a regular column in the Times Higher Education. His books include Promiscuity (2000 Faber & Faber) and The Red Canary (Weidenfeld & Nicolson 2003) which was awarded the Consul Cremer Prize. His most recent book is The Wisdom of Birds (Bloomsbury).

Jonathan Foster

Senior Lecturer in the Department of Journalism and joined the University after previously working at The Sunday Times, The Observer and The Independent. His current research interests involve the use of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism. In 2011 Jonathon was voted as 'Teacher of the Year' by University of Sheffield students.

Simon Goodwin

Senior Lecturer in the Department of Physics and Astronomy with research interests in understanding how stars form in our Universe. He has written a number of popular science books including ‘Origins: Our Place in Hubble’s Universe’ (1997), ‘Empire of the Sun: planets and moons of the solar system’ (1998), ‘Deep Space: New Pictures from the Hubble space telescope’ (1999), ‘XTL: Extraterrestrial Life and how to find it’ (2001).

Jackie Harrison

Professor of Public Communication in the Department of Journalism with research interests in the civil role and power of the news. She has been an external advisor to the European Commission as well as several global media companies. She has also undertaken six funded research projects for the UK television industry.

Simon Jones

Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry and is interested in the development of new methods in Organic Chemistry. He has spent over 10 years working with schools delivering interactive lectures and developing teaching resources. He was responsible for coordinating the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Reactiv8 resource; an interactive DVD about careers in Chemistry, that was sent to every school in the country. He is a regular panel member on a science question and answer session on BBC Radio Sheffield.

Jairo Lugo-Ocando

Jairo Lugo-Ocando has worked as a reporter, staff-writer and chief sub-editor for several newspapers in Venezuela and has written on science issues for newspapers and magazines in Venezuela, Colombia, Mexico and the United States. His main research interests include information and communication technologies in the developing World. He received funding from the Higher Education Academy to look at how to improve the teaching of science journalism and joins the University of Sheffield as Lecturer. His latest book Statistics for Journalists was published by Palgrave in 2012.

Alan Pacey

Allan Pacey

Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Medicine Dentistry and Health. He regularly provides media commentary about scientific developments in Human Fertility and Assisted Conception both in print media as well as many radio and television news programmes. He has made a number of television programmes including The Lab Rats (2004), The Truth About Food (2007), Make me a Baby (2007) and The Great Sperm Race (2009). In 2010 he was the scientific advisor for the documentary “Donor Unknown’ which will be shown on television in mid 2011.

Louise Robson

Senior Lecturer in the Department of Biomedical Science with research interests on the role of ion channels in the physiology and pathophysiology of epithelial cells, particularly renal, intestinal and airway cells. She is actively involved in outreach and access work in local schools, and like Simon Jones is a regular panel member on a science question and answer session on BBC Radio Sheffield. In 2011 she was shortlisted for the UKRC Women of Outstanding Achievement for Communicating Science, Engineering and Technology to Society.

Tony Ryan

Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Science. His research covers the synthesis, structure, processing and properties of polymers and he was in at the beginning of polymer nanotechnology. He has co-authored more than 200 papers and 8 patents and written a book on polymer processing or how things are made from plastic. Tony presented the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures on Channel 4 in 2002 and is a regular contributor to TV, radio and newspapers.

Sandrine Soubes

Sandrine Soubes worked as a researcher in the USA and in the UK on diverse topics such the cell cycle, malaria, and early brain development. She is now building her scholarly work and practice on the professional development of researchers. She has extensive experience in presenting science to a wide range of audiences outside of academia, from women’s groups to patient conferences to school children. She is particularly interested in the use of artistic media to put science ‘into culture.’ She has collaborated with artists, writers, theatre, circus and dance companies to develop creative science outreach experiences for young people. She was also the instigator and manager of the very successful Sheffield Café Scientifique .

Alistair Warren

Director of Learning and Teaching in the Faculty of Science, Alistair Warren has a responsibility for communicating Science to almost 1,000 undergraduate students. He is a professor in the Department of Biomedical Science with interests in fertility and infertility. He is a regular contributor to outreach and STEM activities. In 2010 Alistair was voted 'Student Voice Advocate' by the Students Union and 'Best Lecturer' in the Department of Biomedical Science.

Emma Wilkinson

Emma Wilkinson is a freelance journalist specialising in medicine and biosciences. A health reporter at BBC News online for almost five years she also writes for various medical journals including The Lancet and Nursing Times as well as several trade magazines aimed at health professionals. For the past few years she has run short courses for science and medical students wanting to develop their writing and communication skills.