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Monday 4 May 2009

New Members

In an impressive display of solidarity, there's a good showing from the British Council in the latest crop of ABSW members.

Associate members

Dr Lloyd Anderson is the British Council's Director of Science Engineering and Environment, based in London. He is responsible for setting corporate policy in this field, in close consultation with key UK stakeholders and partners, helping to translate global policy into strategies at regional and local level. The sector has a global budget of £8 million, with programmes and science network representatives in 70 countries. Lloyd also ensures that British Council teams overseas have the right activities and campaigns to promote British science innovatively and effectively, and networks at senior level within the UK science community and Whitehall to build understanding and support for the Council's science work.

Dr Yasemin Koc studied Analytical and Physical Chemistry at the Institute of Technology in Vienna. She then pursued a PhD in Nanotechnology at Imperial College and subsequently started work as a Business Analyst at JP Morgan in London. She currently works as Advisor for Innovation and Science Communication at the British Council in London. Her role includes providing expert advice in the fields of innovation systems, knowledge transfer and science communication. She works to develop and build relationships with external partners and stakeholders including the Department for Innovation, Universities & Skills, UK Trade & Investment, Research Councils UK, the Royal Society, the Royal Institution, the British Science Association, the ABSW and the Natural History Museum as well as science festivals and centres. In addition, she identifies partnerships and bids that can bring income to the British Council.

Dr Claire McNulty began her career as a developmental biologist, completing her PhD at King's College London, then worked as a postdoc in Utrecht. In 2005, after a period working for the scientific publishing company Elsevier, she became an independent Science Consultant. From 2005 to 2008 she worked on several science-related projects for the British Council, including 'Next Generation Science' aimed at school children, and 'Network UK', a support service for international researchers in the UK. In September 2008 she was appointed Science Adviser (Life Sciences and Science Policy) for the British Council. Her role is to develop and support science and research-related projects, and to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders in the UK and overseas. In addition, she keeps abreast of current UK developments in the life sciences, in order to communicate these developments to British Council colleagues all over the world.

Catherine O'Donovan studied science communication in Canberra, Australia. During the course she travelled around the country presenting science shows and workshops to schoolchildren. After acquiring a taste for science journalism, she took a work placement at ABC's 'Catalyst' TV show, and internships with Cosmos and ReNew magazines. Catherine moved back to the UK in early 2009, and intends to continue freelancing in print media.