Creative Consultant and Engagement Professional

Presenting

Event Host, Presenter, Facilitator and Podcast Host

I'm a highly experienced host for a range of options including online, in-person and hybrid events. With a range of previous experience including:

  • Event Manager for BIG STEM Communicators Network

  • Production for online and hybrid events for NCCPE, ASDC and multiple podcast teams.

  • Online and in-person facilitation for multiple The Liminal Space programme's

  • Event host for Education Scotland's What's STEM Got to Do With It conference

  • Interviewer for Aye Write, Glasgow's Book Festival

  • Science Show Presenter for Glasgow Science Centre

  • Regular presenter on Science & Sorcery, the Twitch stream and live events group who combine Dungeons & Dragons and science communication, performing at science festivals, museums and the Royal Institution

  • Comedy sets on Zoolology, Science is a Drag and the Ugly Animal Preservation Society at Edinburgh Fringe 2022.

  • Event speaking at Glasgow, Edinburgh and Cheltenham Science Festivals

  • Professional Game Master and TTRPG performer with a range of events, streams and podcasts

Content Creation

I design and create a range of STEM and game linked content for public engagement, with experience of reaching schools, families and adult audiences in the UK and across the world. Some examples of work I've create include:

  • Curriculum Linked Lesson Plans for clients including Glasgow Science Centre, Scotland STEM Ambassadors Hub, University of Glasgow and more

  • Hands on Activities (STEM and non-STEM) for clients including the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, University of Oxford, Scottish Museum of Fire Heritage and more

  • Tabletop Roleplaying Games (STEM and non-STEM) for Glasgow Science Festival, Science & Sorcery and the University of Glasgow

  • STEM Focused Workshops for Schools, Adults and Families at Glasgow Science Centre, Children in Need and more

  • STEM Engagement Toolkits for Schools, Adults and Families for the Scotland STEM Ambassadors Hub

  • TikTok and YouTube content (STEM and non-STEM) for a range of projects

  • Social Media Management, Content and Reusable Assets for Science & Sorcery, Festival of the Spoken Nerd, Steve Mould and more

  • Delivery of online editions of the Festival of Nature and the Association of Science & Discovery Centre's annual conference

  • Online video content created for the University of Warwick's Public Engagement team as part of an online portal

  • Creation of University of Oxford Physics Department online learning pathway for public engagement

  • Creation of lesson plans for Virus Snowflakes, from the MRC-University of Glasgow's Centre for Virus Research

  • Delivery of European Research Showcase, a mass online event hosted as part of European Researcher's Night in 2021-23

Introduction to Social Media for Public Engagement video made for University of Warwick

Example of Graphics Created to Help Audiences Light Themselves Well in Video Content

What People Say - Science Communication

Howie Firth, Director, Orkney International Science Festival
Faye and Sam coordinated the delivery of the Orkney International Science Festival 2025 so well. They provided the stability and structure and calm atmosphere in which each person could focus on what they had to do in the knowledge that everything was in place. These are rare qualities and much appreciated. I am very keen to build up a long-term relationship between them both and OrkneyDebbie Mathers, Programme Manager, SSERC
"The STEM Ambassadors in Scotland Team love collaborating with Sam. He understands the needs of our STEM Ambassadors and how best to support them. We look forward to working with him in the future."Callum McAndrew, Public Engagement Officer, University of St Andrews
"Sam made running our online event effortless. His amazing training, event management skills, clever quips and tech savvy knowledge ensured the event was a huge success!"Faye Watson, Public Engagement Manager, University of Edinburgh
“I have been lucky enough to work with Sam on a couple of projects this year, and his knowledge, network and passion for science communication is unrivalled. We have worked together on a diversity of things from grant proposals to in-person delivery at science festivals and I look forward to continuing to work together in future! I would highly recommend Sam for any projectsSavita Wilmott, Chief Executive, Natural History Consortium
We worked with Sam on our major public festival. He slipped seamlessly into our existing delivery team, and was an unflappable virtual event producer. He has a huge range of skills that benefitted our team, as well as our festival. We’ll 100% be working with Sam again!

Training

Introduction to Public Engagement (2 hours)

This session will provide participants with no experience the tools they need to get started with public engagement. It can also be a refresher for those who have done some public engagement.By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

  • Confidently define public engagement and some of the reasons for doing it

  • Create an audience profile for and define an audience they would like to engage with

  • Have an introductory understanding on how to create content for these different audiences

  • Describe a range of public engagement formats that exist

Engaging Effectively with Young People (2 hours)

This session is suited to those who are interested in working with young people, but have little to no experience. In this training session, participants will build their confidence and knowledge of techniques that can be used to reach younger audiences, and some tricky hurdles to overcome.By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

  • Understand techniques you can use to hook in young audiences

  • Feel confident engaging a range of age groups from nursery through to high school

  • Be introduced to Assessment is for Learning techniques

  • Design an activity for use with younger audiences

How to Create for the Curriculum (2 hours)

Are you or colleagues looking to get to grips with the school curriculum in Scotland or England? In this session, we'll explore how you can create high quality, impactful activities that work for both students and teachers.By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

  • Explain the key points of the curriculum, including learning experiences and outcomes

  • Understand what teachers are looking for from an activity, either delivered by an external visitor or as something they can run for their class

  • Evaluate the curriculum linked activities you create

  • Design an activity that aligns with the curriculum

Social Media for Public Engagement with Research (3 hours)

Step into the vibrant world of social media! Discover the secrets of the ever-evolving social media landscape in a session designed to empower you with the tools for impactful and inclusive public engagement.Forget the overwhelm – in this interactive journey, we'll demystify social media, exploring a variety of platforms and uncovering strategies to maximize your efficiency. We'll dive into the algorithms driving these platforms and learn how to navigate them like a proBy the end of the session, participants will be able to:

  • Have a base level of understanding of the range of social media platforms and how they can be used for public engagement with research

  • Create a content plan for their own engagement activities

  • Be confident in create text, image and video based content

  • Evaluate their social media content

Consultancy

I can help you with a range of public engagement options including social media, funding applications, strategy and event management. Some examples of previous work include:

  • Management of the online ASDC National Conference 2021

  • Management of the online and hybrid components of Talking Maths in Public 2023 - 25 and Maths Jam 2024-25

  • Multiple versions of STEM Ambassador Scotland's Targeted Intervention Projects focused on working with Scottish ambassadors and class teachers

  • Panellist for Institute of Physics public engagement funding panels in 2022-25

  • Panellist for Science Foundation Ireland's public engagement funding programme