Expertise and experience

Our trainers are experienced science communication professionals who work day-to-day in the areas covered by our courses, and our principal trainers also have experience as research-active scientists.

Depending on the requirements of clients, our courses involve expert guest tutors from specific areas, such as science journalists and presenters from broadcast media, other science journalists from national newspapers, and school teachers.

Principal trainers

Dr Claire Ainsworth: Claire is the Managing Director of SciConnect Ltd, and a freelance science journalist for publications including Nature, Science, New Scientist, and The Observer, as well as a broadcast media commentator for programmes such as The Science Hour on BBC World Service. 

As a co-founder of SciConnect Ltd, Claire has more than 20 years of experience of developing and delivering research communication training programmes for scientists. She has been a guest lecturer for the Science Communication Diploma at Birkbeck, University of London, the MSc in Science Communication at the University of the West of England, and mentors up-and-coming writers for the Association of British Science Writers.

Claire was previously a Senior Reporter & News Features Editor at Nature, and prior to that a reporter and features editor at New Scientist. Her awards as a science writer include an Association of British Science Writers Award and a British Medical Journalism Award. Claire has a degree in Natural Sciences from Cambridge University and a DPhil in developmental genetics from Oxford University.

Dr Jon Copley: Associate Professor in Ocean Exploration & Public Engagement at the University of Southampton, where he has received awards for teaching and postgraduate skills training. His programme of public engagement with his research, which includes frequent work with the media, public talks, and online engagement, resulted in a 4-star REF 'Impact Case Study'. His awards as a science communicator include the Biosciences Federation Science Communication Award for Established Researchers, and he was previously a Reporter and Assistant News Editor at New Scientist magazine. He is the author of the popular science book Ask An Ocean Explorer, and his broadcast media credits include being science advisor & on-screen contributor for BBC Blue Planet II.