ABOUT
Dr Kerry Leslie is a senior public engagement and impact professional specialising in working with academic researchers and the higher education sector. She worked for the research councils for over sixteen years and was the Head of Research Council UK’s Public Engagement with Research. Kerry’s PhD in Astrophysics was gained at University College London’s Mullard Space Science Laboratory.
Dr Kerry Leslie
Following my completion of a PhD in Astrophysics at University College London at started work with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. I worked as a research portfolio manager where I was responsible for building relationships with industries and universities; managing the decision making process to ensure the highest quality research was funded and planning and implementing community events to foster new, innovative, research programmes.
After this I moved on to working in public engagement with research and I became the Head of the RCUK Public Engagement with Research (PER) unit, for over 16 years, leading on high-level policy and strategy. This included conception and production of the Beacons for Public Engagement, the National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE), the PER Catalysts and the Schools University Partnerships Initiative (SUPI). I led on the development of the Concordat for Engaging the Public with Research and the public engagement lens on the Vitae Researcher Development framework.
During my time at the research councils, I managed national and international programmes and events for the public, schools and young people. This included public debates, a series of nationwide events on the academic research behind Olympic sports, Researchers in Residence and the IEE Faraday Lectures. I have developed festival exhibits at venues such as the Royal Society Summer Exhibition, the British Science Festival and Buckingham Palace, as well as museum exhibits at the Science Museum, At-Bristol and Thinktank.
I have been a member numerous high level boards including the National Forum for STEM, the Public Engagement Funders Group, the Concordat for Engaging the Public with Research working group (chair), the RCUK PER Advisory Group (chair), SUPI Advisory Board, NCCPE Executive Board, Sciencewise –Expert Resource Centre advisory group and the BIS Science for all group. I served two terms as a trustee for the British Science Association. I have been a school governor for over ten years at primary and secondary level and have an enhanced DBS check.
I now run my own public engagement consultancy which I founded in 2015. I specialise in working with funders, academic researchers and the higher education sector, acting as an external advisor to assess public engagement and impact capability, advise on public engagement and impact strategies, and draw on evidence to inform future investments.