We caught up with them after the event to find out more about what it’s like to be involved with a public engagement event on such a big scale, and how they’re settling in to their roles.
Tell us about your career up to this point
Ruth (Communications Manager): I’m from Australia originally and have spent most of my career working in higher education institutions, including at the University of South Australia and UCL, as well as for an online education company. I studied organisational communications and marketing at both undergraduate and postgraduate level and have a lot of experience of the design and production of digital content, as well as of writing and creating content for publications. I really love the sense of accomplishment that comes from bringing a new communications piece to life. Whether it be a news story, flyer, banner, social media post, I think the satisfaction that comes with hitting print, publish or send is hard to match!
Wafa (Communications Officer): I have a postgraduate degree in Marketing Communications, and began my career at 7DAYS, a Dubai-based media organisation, where I was responsible for securing and delivering media partnerships and campaigns for a range of partner brands.
After relocating to the UK, I joined the University of Reading as a Marketing Officer, supporting student recruitment and experience as well as covering research communications. I really enjoyed working across a diverse range of schools from Humanities and Social Sciences to Art, Communication and Design, as well as Life Sciences. Joining the School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences has been brilliant, with my role as Volunteer Lead for New Scientist Live being a real highlight. I’ve really valued the chance to meet and connect with all the staff and students who volunteered (around 140 over the three days), and it’s given me a much deeper understanding of the incredible work happening across our School. Our stand covered 3-D printing, surgical robotics, medical imaging, nuclear medicine, digital healthcare, the future of blood testing, soft robotics and pulse waves, so there was a lot for visitors to engage with!
Annie (Communications Officer): I studied Biochemistry at university but quickly realised that, although I loved learning about research, I didn’t want to conduct it myself. I started exploring science communication, and after an internship at the Science Media Centre, I decided that this was the right career path for me. Before joining King’s, I worked as a Digital Editor for a lab techniques news site, where I wrote articles, interviewed researchers and occasionally hosted podcasts on emerging research and techniques.
I love to take a complex scientific topic or concept and explain it in a way that anyone can understand, whether that’s through a news article, or a science festival like New Scientist Live.
What is a typical day like for you? What were some of your roles at New Scientist Live?
Ruth: I usually start by reviewing emails and prioritising the various communications tasks I need to focus on over the course of the day. They could include researching and writing news stories and features, pulling together content for newsletters, designing branded materials and publishing social media posts. I represent the team at various meetings across the School and beyond, and scope possible communications projects.
Although it felt a bit daunting at first taking on the running of the Hospital of the Future stand, in fact the School has a well-established process in place having been involved with New Scientist Live for several years, and most of the stand organisation and planning was already in place when we joined the School. I’m excited to plan ahead for 2026 though, as we have lots of ideas for how we can continue to evolve our stand concept and design, while continuing to help make science interesting and accessible.
Wafa: Like Ruth, I usually start off checking emails and planning out what I want to get done during the day - video editing is one of the aspects of my role that I enjoy the most. If there’s an event happening, you’ll also likely spot me behind the camera capturing the key moments! For New Scientist Live, I co-ordinated the communications to recruit our volunteers, managed the rota and made sure everyone was appropriately briefed (and that they had enough snacks!)
Annie: For New Scientist Live, I led on logistics. This included working with the ExCel team on the layout and build of our stand, the technical requirements of each of our 10 exhibiting groups, the transport of our equipment to the ExCel Centre and health and safety. This meant a lot of lists, spreadsheets and emails!
Tell us something surprising that people may not know about you?
Ruth: Even though I work on the ninth floor at Becket House, I only ever use the stairs. I like to get my steps in! Outside of work, I do like a pub quiz and I also sing soprano in the Some Voices choir.
Wafa: Even though I come from a Business School background and now work in the School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, I’m currently studying for a Professional Diploma in Criminology and Forensic Science. Let’s just say I have lots of diverse interests!
What advice would you give to your 18-year-old self?
Ruth: Be patient! The world is much bigger than you realise and your best experiences still lay ahead.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Wafa: I would love to be pursuing a PhD, hopefully at King’s!
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Ruth: I think it would have to be moving from Australia to the UK. I’m so proud that I have built such a full and happy life over here that includes friends, loved ones, travel and many wonderful experiences.
Wafa: In my previous organisation, I was proud to be part of the Staff Disability Network. A passionate mental health advocate, I think it’s so important to break the stigma and encourage open conversations around mental health. I contributed to several initiatives, including a dedicated website sharing personal experiences - mine included – as part of a campaign for Mental Health Awareness Day. I even led a mindfulness session at a staff wellbeing event. It was incredibly rewarding to see more people speaking up and new initiatives being launched to ensure everyone knew where to find support and how to look out for one another.
Annie: In my previous job, I produced and hosted a panel discussion on how the contraceptive pill affects the brain. Although the pill has been around for over 60 years, there is still a lot we don’t know about how the pill impacts the body, particularly the brain. This is an area that has historically been overlooked and underfunded, so it was great to hear about the research from four experts in the field.
Now that you’ve been here a few months, what is your favourite thing about working at King’s?
Wafa: For me, the School’s mission, ‘Engineering better health’, really resonates. I feel proud that through our communications I’m playing a part in supporting work that’s making a real difference and helping to improve lives.
Annie: Being so close to cutting-edge research! There are so many exciting projects happening across the School and it’s a pleasure to speak with researchers about their work and find creative ways to share it with wider audiences.
QUICK-FIRE:
Favourite season
Ruth: Spring
Annie: Summer
Favourite London restaurant
Ruth: Brasserie Zedel
Wafa: Slim Chickens (for the best burgers ever!)
Annie: Lanzhou Lamian Noodle Bar – no frills noodle soups!
Favourite cuisine
Ruth: Thai or Italian (I can’t split them!)
Annie: Lebanese
One thing you could not go a day without
Ruth: Taking our cat for a walk in the garden
Wafa: My phone!
Favourite book
Wafa: Close to Home by Cara Hunter
Annie: Who's Loving You by Sareeta Domingo
Favourite scientist
Wafa: A. P. J. Abdul Kalam