Our Team

Steve Burgess, CEO

Steve Burgess has been the CEO of The Oxford Trust since September 2013, working with the board of trustees to set and implement its strategic direction. He has the responsibility of ensuring the Trust’s two innovation centres perform optimally to support startup & grow-on tech companies so that funds generated can be invested in the charity’s STEM education and engagement programmes under the Science Oxford brand.

With a background built on sales, strategic development and leadership with the pharmaceutical and chemical multinational Merck KGaA, Steve has extensive experience in fostering sustainable business organisations. After leaving the corporate sector, and before joining The Oxford Trust, he was the Development Director at Cheltenham Festivals (science and art), where he helped expand its science education and public engagement programmes through major sponsorships, and develop the science festival into a world-leading event.

Science and innovation have always been a part of Steve’s professional life and he enjoys being at the centre of an organisation which makes a difference to young people and young companies.

Francesca MacLennan, Director of Science Education & Engagement

As Director of Science Education & Engagement, Francesca leads the Oxford Trust’s education and engagement programmes, under the Science Oxford brand. With the overarching goal to inspire young people about science, technology, engineering and maths, Francesca leads Science Oxford’s strategy and its delivery, with an expert team, through in-school and Science Oxford Centre-based school programmes, and family and community programmes.

In her career spanning over 25 years, she has worked in various roles in science education and talent development, including primary science teaching, STEM outreach, professional development and graduate training programmes. As a leader, educator, engagement specialist and training programme builder, as well as a Fellow of the Primary Science Teaching Trust, she has a wealth of experience leading programmes throughout the educational stages, from the early years right through to the postgraduate level. She is also co-editor of a book of insect poems for children aged 8 plus entitled, ‘The Bee Is Not Afraid Of Me’, inspired by her work with entomologists.

Francesca is passionate about raising STEM career aspirations and developing future talent, actively working to ensure science careers are accessible to all. She aims to excite young people about the opportunities they have to utilise their skills to solve societal challenges, both today and in the future.

Georgina Matthews, Director of Communications

Georgina Matthews is responsible for brand development, marketing, communications, media and public relations for The Oxford Trust and Science Oxford. She is key to ensuring that the Trust’s innovation centres are full of exciting science and tech businesses and ensuring Science Oxford’s programmes are busy and full to capacity, inspiring the next generation of scientists and innovators.

Georgina is an experienced marketing and communications professional with a successful track record for several Oxfordshire-based social enterprises and charities. Her career has also included many years in publishing.

Nicki Campling, Director of Innovation and Operations

Nicki Campling is Deputy CEO of The Oxford Trust and Director of Innovation and Operations. She plays a vital role in running The Oxford Trust’s innovation programme and the operation of its key sites: the Wood Centre for Innovation, Oxford Centre for Innovation and the Science Oxford Centre. She also leads the development of new projects including the Aspen Building at the Wood Centre for Innovation and the relocation of the Oxford Centre for Innovation to Blue Boar Court. An agile leader, Nicki drives change, development, and the efficient operations of the Trust.

Her career has included many years in the financial industry, working with both business and personal sectors, as well as experience in travel, sales and business development. She is passionate about fostering science and innovation and feels privileged to work with start-ups, entrepreneurs and key stakeholders across the Oxford region.

Emily Fisk, Head of Science Oxford Centre

Emily coordinates the activities, logistics and delivery of both school and family programmes at the Science Oxford Centre. She designs and deliver shows, workshops and outdoor activities for primary schools from across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire and ensures teachers are fully supported before, during and after their school visit. She manages Saturday Family Days at the Centre, as well as additional half-term and holiday activities.

Emily has a MBiolSci degree in Biochemistry and Microbiology and a PhD in Infectious Medicine, both from the University of Sheffield. Since obtaining her degrees, she has found passion in public engagement and has been working in the informal science learning sector for over 7 years.

She is particularly interested in making science learning both accessible and equitable for all and leads our work with local groups with additional and/or sensory needs at the Centre.

Daniel Scholes, Acting Head of Science Oxford Centre

Currently acting as Head of Science Oxford Centre, Daniel coordinates the activities, arrangement and delivery of both school and family programmes at the Science Oxford Centre. In addition to overseeing and managing all arrangements with visitors to the Science Oxford Centre, he leads thought-provoking workshops and delivers exciting shows and facilitates the use of our interactive exhibits.

Daniel has a BA (Hons) in English from the University of Exeter, and a PCGE with QTS from Oxford Brookes University. In his career, he has worked in diverse roles with people across all walks of life, including theatre and film, teaching and café management. He has been part of the Science Oxford team since 2021.

Daniel particularly values the ethos of Thinking, Doing, Talking Science, embedded in all aspects of Science Oxford’s work with young people, as it encourages children to explore and test ideas, consider new perspectives, and to share their discoveries with others. He hopes to inspire young people to connect with scientist within themselves.

Roger Baker, Outdoor Learning and Estates Manager

Roger manages the 15 acres of woodland and outdoor spaces around the Science Oxford Centre and has developed and coordinates an outdoor learning programme that teaches children about the wonders of natural science. He monitors the ecology on site, improving the habitats and biodiversity, while building resistance and resilience to the threats of disease and climate change.

Roger has a PhD in ecology, an MSc in aquatic resource management, and a BSc in zoology. He spent the early parts of his career in environmental research working for the civil service, and private sectors before qualifying with a PGCE and becoming a science teacher. After teaching secondary science for several years, he joined The Oxford Trust in 2016, where he has worked in several roles over the last nine years. In this time he has helped turn a previously neglected woodland into a valuable educational and ecological resource ready for our visitors.

With a self-professed love for knowledge and the outdoors, he aims to inspire a similar awe and wonder in the natural world, and science in general, in the next generation of scientists.

Sian Stratton, Community Outreach Manager

Sian leads Science Oxford’s work with the community and family engagement programmes, building our relationships with our community, coordinating the team and activities, as well as delivering activities. She drives Science Oxford’s work with community group leaders who represent young people underserved in STEM, to support their access to our existing and developing programmes. She also trains teachers in Science Oxford’s flagship Thinking, Doing, Talking Science (TDTScience) CPD course for primary science teachers.

Sian holds a BSc degree in Forensic Biology from University of West England and a PGCE with QTS from Oxford Brookes University. She has taught in secondary schools and worked in various roles in family and community development.

Sian is passionate about championing accessible and equitable science learning for all.

Sarah Townson, Technology Projects Officer

Sarah develops and runs Science Oxford’s Creative Computing Clubs, our after-school Arti-Tech’s Club and other digital- and tech-related activities and workshops, including those for our summer and other holiday programmes.

She studied physics at the University of Birmingham, has over 16 years’ experience working with young people in secondary schools and colleges, and developing and running engineering and tech outreach events. She is a digital maker and tech fundi, who enjoys building, crafting and coding.

Through her role at Science Oxford and the hands-on activities she develops and guides young people through, Sarah aims to inspire and support them as they develop skills and confidence in computing and technology.

Alice Draper, STEM Projects Officer

Alice leads, designs and runs Science and Nature Clubs for families at the Science Oxford Centre on Saturdays. She is also part of the expert outreach team who present exciting science shows and workshops in schools during the week.

Alice holds a BA degree in Physics with Psychology from University of Cambridge, and spent 10 years working as a science technician and a Scientist in Residence in schools before joining Science Oxford 4 years ago.

In the clubs Alice leads, she loves seeing children and adults talk and work together to discover and enjoy different types of science and investigation. She encourages creativity and curiosity and aims to show every child can be a scientist.

Alicia Adams Cross, Science Oxford Centre Officer

Alicia is integral to the team at the Science Oxford Centre working hard to deliver activities for primary school visits, Family Days and holiday activities. She is a well-known face at the Centre, engaging with families and children, overseeing interactive experiments and helping with community events.

She holds a BSc in Palaeontology and MSc in Climate Change, Development and Policy and is now developing her career in primary education and science communication to guide young people to find their own passion in science.

Alicia values how the Science Oxford Centre is dedicated to making science more accessible to young people, following the ‘Thinking, Doing, Talking Science’ ethos, which encourages everyone to enjoy science in their own way.

Rebecca Williams, Science Oxford Centre Officer

Rebecca (Bex) is the newest member of the Science Oxford Centre team, delivering and supporting all aspects of activities at the Centre, and sharing her passion for science with children every day as they explore and discover science in fun, practical ways.

Bex holds a BSc in Zoology and a Masters in Biological Photography and Imaging. Before joining Science Oxford, she was a primary teacher for 15 years and science lead in the schools and for the school Trust that she worked for.

Bex feels very lucky to be able to see how children are amazed by what they discover at the centre, and to be able help them to understand some of the science behind their discoveries.

Ian Snell, Education Programme Officer

Ian is responsible for planning and delivering Science Oxford’s outreach programme to primary schools in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. He presents a range of inspiring science-themed shows and workshops. He also coordinates our annual celebration of pupil-led investigations in the Big Science Event.

Ian has a Master’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Oxford and a PGCE from Oxford Brookes University. He has been an integral part of Science Oxford’s outreach team for 10 years. His career has also included frontline support and maintenance in the IT sector and teaching experience in primary and secondary schools in Oxford.

Ian is motivated by the sense of wonder he sees and engagement with science he can foster when presenting science shows and workshops.

Libby Adsett, Education Team Administration Officer

Libby is core to the smooth running of the outreach education team and all the behind-the-scenes work in the operations of the team. As the dedicated administrator, she handles bookings of the team in schools, makes sure they have what they need to deliver activities, handles the kit loans, and more.

She has been with Science Oxford since December 2017, and while her background isn’t in science, she says she has learned so much and enjoys the varied role.

Kat Kelly, Planetarium Content Developer

Kat creates all the amazing visuals that children experience inside Science Oxford’s planetarium dome, from awe-inspiring views of the Earth from Space, to rocket ship flights to the International Space Station, the Moon, and Mars.

Kat holds a BscHons in Astrophysics from the Open University, and has been working in science outreach and education for over ten years in the UK and Canada. She has worked in science centres and planetariums, at various telescope sites, and at science festivals. She has also run science clubs for high school students.

Kat loves seeing children’s faces light up when they “fly” through space and hearing their questions, which show they are thinking hard and being curious about what’s beyond our planet.

Joanne Riley, Senior Communications Manager

Joanne is responsible for communications and marketing of Science Oxford’s education and engagement programmes, helping to maximise the reach and impact of the programmes.

She holds an MSc in Molecular Genetics, MPhil in Science and Technology Studies, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Intercultural Communications. Prior to joining The Oxford Trust, she worked in research and innovation communications for over 15 years, after an early career start in vaccine research and development.

She is passionate about sharing the stories of science and the many inspiring scientists working toward a better world, and enjoys working to create opportunities where young people can be inspired too.

Autumn Neagle, Events Marketing Specialist

Autumn is responsible for all aspects of marketing and communications related to Science Oxford’s public and community events. She has been with The Oxford Trust since 2016, when she joined as a Digital Communication Officer.

Autumn has over 15 years’ experience in events promotions and co-ordination for corporate, charity, education, not-for-profit, public sector events and festivals. Her expertise span publishing, digital communications, creating engaging content and campaigns, photography, design, and public relations. Autumn holds a BA in Visual Arts/History of Art from Oxford Brookes University.

She enjoys the varied work in her role and loves to encourage people of all ages to try something new.

Jane Braddock, Head of Finance and Administration

Jane joined the Oxford Trust in 2009. She is responsible for The Oxford Trust’s finance, office administration, IT and HR matters, with the support of the Central Administration Officer, external IT consultants and HR advisors.

Jane has a BA degree in English Literature, an MA in Business, and in 2010, was awarded a Diploma in Management Accounting by Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. She has over twenty years’ experience in small business accounting and finance, having been a full member of the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) since 2009 and a Fellow member since 2015. Before her career in finance, she worked in the field of international sales and marketing.

Chewe Munkonge, Central Admin Officer

As the Central Administration Officer, Chewe support all the operations of The Oxford Trust and Science Oxford’s events and education activities.

Chewe holds an MBA from Oxford Brookes University and is qualified as a Fellow of Chartered Certified Accountants. His background is in finance, having previously worked in the banking sector and with accounting firms. He is also currently a city councilor for Headington Quarry and Risinghurst.

Chewe is passionate about the local communities around Oxford and strengthening relationships with local communities.

Emira Kurti, Café Manager

Emira is the Café Manager at the Wood Centre for Innovation, planning and preparing meals for the clients of the innovation centre during the week, the tasty treats for weekend visitors for Family Days and STEM Clubs, as well as catering for events at the centre.

With cooking in her blood, Emira trained professionally as a chef and spent five years at culinary school in Assisi in Italy. Her speciality is homestyle Italian food – fresh,  full of flavour, simple, and all about joy!

She is passionate about cooking. She says cooking for the people at the Centre is like cooking for her family – she loves to make people happy through her food.

Domingas Soares, Catering Assistant

Domingas (Dolly) is one of the core members of the café team, preparing and serving the delicious food of Emira’s Kitchen. She has been working in the catering industry for over seven years, and is passionate about food and people. She enjoys the friendly environment of the Wood Centre for Innovation and the Science Oxford Centre.

Jordan Thomas, Café Assistant

Jordan joined the café team at the Wood Centre for Innovation in summer 2022, after being a trainee at Yellow Submarine since 2020. He is another friendly face who will greet you at the café.

In addition to his work with The Oxford Trust, Jordan volunteers for the Oxford Playhouse as an usher and for Helen & Douglas House doing handy work like painting.

He enjoys the work and friendly people at the Wood Centre for Innovation and the Science Oxford Centre.

Ermelinda Imeraj, Café Assistant