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Ben Littlefield

Head of Public EngagementÌý

Ben is the institutional lead for Public Engagement, helping define what Public Engagement is and means at the University.

Ben has led on national science engagement programmes such as the 'Secret World of Gases' for the Science Centre sector, consulted for the Discovery channel and managed the UK's largest public engagement training programme while at UCL.Ìý

Outside work Ben can often be found fossil hunting on the south coast or tinkering with 3D printers, uranium glass and materials with unusual properties.

Lisa Hanley

Deputy Head of Public Engagement

Lisa leads the development and delivery of the Public Engagement Training programme, Public Engagement Network and the Development Fund.Ìý

Lisa’s leadership of public and policy engagement and development of award-winning funding bids have enabled diverse research impacts across the University and beyond.Ìý

Lisa is a passionate EDI champion who led the University’s Parent and Carer Network (2012–2022), shaping inclusive policies through public engagement. She enjoys travel, festivals, and paddle boarding.

Silvia Lanati

Senior Public Engagement Manager (Operations)

Silvia leads the UoS Festival team and is responsible for the planning, curation, and delivery of the ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Science and Engineering Festival (SOTSEF), the ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Arts and Humanities Festival, and the ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ 'Bringing Research to Life' Roadshow.Ìý

She discovered her passion for public engagement and communications whilst working as a cancer research scientist. In the past, she volunteered with the Italian Red Cross, collaborated with Cancer Research UK and brought Pint of Science Festival to ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ.

In her spare time Silvia rocks out to hard-rock tunes, dives into fantasy books, and lives for good food!

Ronda Gowland-Pryde

Senior Civic, Community and Public Engagement Manager

Ronda brings over two decades of experience in civic, community, and university engagement, working across multidisciplinary contexts. She now leads on civic engagement across the team and the University Directorate, applyingÌýdeep expertise to foster meaningful partnerships and drive impactful initiatives.Ìý

Committed to equitable, collaborative and inclusive practice, with lived experience, Ronda is Vice-Chair of the staff and PGR Disability and Neurodivergence Network and manages the UK Disability History Month working group.

Kara Goodland

Operations and Relationships Manager (British Science Festival)

Kara joined the team in January, 2024 to support and facilitate the operational planning for our interactive festivals and 'on the road' public engagement events.

With a background in Performing Arts Kara has also spent over 15 years in the Travel, Leisure, Entertainment and Event industry, in a variety of experiential roles, including communications, event management, employee engagement, consultancy and customer experience.Ìý

In her spare time Kara loves an adventure by the sea and sharing the arts with children through teaching, and performing in shows. She is motivated by these experiences and feels proud to be a part of a team that is helping to create opportunities for all.ÌýÌý

Jess Spurrell

Engagement Manager (WPSM/PERu)

Jess began working as School-University Partnership Officer in 2016 – and over the last years she applied that learning asÌýSenior Public Engagement Manager (Hubs), working with communities, spending time getting to know and building relationships with people and organisations.

Jess has a PhD in Cryogenic Engineering and Superconductivity from the ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ, which is almost entirely unrelated to her MEng degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering with European Studies. Her third year research project was about a Wave Energy Converter so she is an expert in not taking the direct path.Ìý

Felicity Farrell

Public and Community Engagement Officer (Hubs)

Felicity joined the team in January 2024 and plays a key operational role in working with communities as the Public and Community Engagement (PCE) Hubs Officer.

Coming from the private healthcare sector, with a background in project management and customer service, she has 10 years marketing experience.

When not working, Felicity enjoys crafting, volunteering at her local baby bank, and performing in pantomine (oh no she doesn't)!

Susan Bedingfield

Festivals Administrator

Susan is the team’s Festivals Administrator. She joined the team in August 2025 to support the administration and delivery of the festivals and the UoS Roadshow’s events.

Susan brings a strong expertise in event organisation and supporting social mobility opportunities in lots of different settings, including the Probation Service and the Office for National Statistics.

When not working, Susan likes to spend time in nature and socialise with good friends.

Rebecca Li

Public Engagement Administrator

Rebecca provides administrative support for PERu’s core projects, from community civic engagement to festival delivery. Having joined the team in January 2026, she uses her background in film studies and event planning to ensure the team's diverse activities run seamlessly.

Rebecca is particularly motivated by the power of inspiration and connection, enjoying her role in making University research accesible to the wider community. Outside of work, she is a fan of the great outdoors and enjoys long walks with her dog (on sunny days).

Lachlan Gilchrist

Community development worker in residence

As part of an innovative collaboration with ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Voluntary Services, Lachlan is based with PERu one day a week, facilitating engagement with the local volunteering, community, charity, & social enterprise (VCSE) sector and the communities it serves.

In 2026, Lachlan’s work will focus particularly on developing communities of practice among Community Participatory Action researchers and promoting engagement with community research through Community Research Cafés.

Outside work, Lachlan enjoys a range of creative pursuits, including sculpting with polymer clay and playing collaborative story-telling games.

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Elizabeth Nutburn

Senior Administrator

Elizabeth oversees the operational delivery of all activity within the team, supporting all in bringing the public engagement vision to life.

Elizabeth is the secretariat for the Engaged University Steering Group and works with colleagues on the annual development fund as well as the Public Engagement Network.Ìý

Elizabeth is involved in a variety of networks across the University, which showcases her commitment to sharing insights, know-how, and sparking collaboration.

Elizabeth is currently on a secondment project, working as Process Review Manager and will return to her role in PERu in 2027.

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