Communicating science with purpose
14 Jul 2026 - Rohini Gupta
For Rosie, the journey into science communication began long before her professional career. As a school student, she attended the Royal Institution Christmas lectures and was inspired by the idea of making science accessible to wider audiences. That early experience sparked an interest that stayed with her throughout her education.
Introduction
She went on to study Chemistry at the University of Oxford, where she developed a strong foundation in scientific research. While science communication opportunities were limited during her undergraduate years, it was during her PhD at the University of Birmingham that she began exploring paths beyond the laboratory.
Deliberately choosing a doctoral training programme that included public engagement, she gained experience through placements with the Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology and science podcast The Naked Scientists. Alongside her research, she took part in science communication competitions and public engagement activities, discovering a passion for explaining science to non-specialist audiences.
“I found I actually preferred talking about my research than doing it! It was really satisfying to translate complex science and adapt it to the audience I needed to reach, whether that was a school class, a parliamentarian or a listener to BBC Radio Cambridge.”
I found I actually preferred talking about my research than doing it! It was really satisfying to translate complex science and adapt it to the audience I needed to reach, whether that was a school class, a parliamentarian or a listener to BBC Radio Cambridge.
Rosie
Overcoming challenges
Breaking into science communication was not straightforward. After completing her PhD, Rosie spent six months searching for opportunities and faced the challenge of being overqualified for many entry-level roles.
“The whole process really knocked my confidence and self-belief, which then made it even harder to apply for relevant roles.”
After a brief stint in academic publishing, she joined the stakeholder engagement team at STFC before moving to the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source communications team in 2019, finally combining her scientific background with her passion for communication.
Science communication at ISIS
Today, Rosie leads the digital, media, and marketing communications for ISIS, as well as our student engagement initiatives. She oversees digital channels, publications, and the programmes that support students and early-career researchers. One achievement she is particularly proud of is strengthening the student experience at ISIS.
“When I started, there was no coordination between placement students across ISIS. Now each year a real cohort forms, where people get to know and support each other.”
Alongside communicating scientific discoveries, she has championed greater recognition of the engineers, technicians, and support teams whose expertise makes this research possible.
“We’ve developed much more communication about the engineering and technical work happening behind the scenes, not just the science itself.”
We've developed much more communication about the engineering and technical work happening behind the scenes, not just the science itself.
Rosie
Why science communication matters
Rosie believes science communication is essential for connecting research with society as “We put all this time and effort into doing research. It’s important that people know about it. And, at the end of the day, the public pay for it, so they should see what exciting things we’re doing with their money.”
For her, effective communication builds understanding, trust and enthusiasm for science, while also inspiring future generations of researchers and engineers.
Advice for future science communicators
Rosie’s advice is simple: take advantage of placements, internships, and public engagement opportunities whenever possible. Throughout her career, placements helped her explore different sectors, working styles, and career paths.
“Placements are great, not only for finding out what you do like, but also what you don’t like.”
Rather than following a straight line into science communication, she used each experience to better understand where her interests and strengths lay.
She encourages students to stay curious, be open to unexpected opportunities, and not feel pressured to have their entire career mapped out from the beginning.
Placements are great, not only for finding out what you do like, but also what you don't like.
Rosie
Conclusion
Through curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to explore new opportunities, Rosie transformed a passion for science into a career dedicated to sharing discoveries with wider audiences. The same determination and perseverance that drives her professional journey can also be seen outside of work, where she enjoys running and racing with her toddler in a buggy, and has also competed in several ultramarathons and triathlons while balancing family life and a full-time job. Today, she continues to inspire the next generation of scientists and communicators by demonstrating that science is not only about making discoveries, but also about helping others understand and be excited about them.
