We are a group of passionate geeks with a breadth of experience – scientists, analysts, development specialists and the generally curious. The Lightyear team is made up of a Board of Trustees and the Exec.
Ian, Chair of Trustees
ian@lightyearfoundation.org
Ian is a physics graduate from UMIST with a long career in IT and management consultancy. He was also an Oxfam trustee for several years. He sees his role as helping to channel the energy, enthusiasm and creative anarchy of its volunteer staff into the development of a professional, accountable body that provides demonstrable benefit to the people it works with. Incidentally, he once travelled 200 miles up the Sepik River in Papua New Guinea in a dugout canoe. |
Doug, Trustee | Science Roadshow Manager
doug@lightyearfoundation.org
Following years of trying to escape science, down roads as diverse as languages, economics and politics, Doug has finally returned to the fold. He now works in low carbon energy policy, but has an overarching passion for making science come to life so that the next generation of young people don’t go down the same (mistaken) paths he did!
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Fran, Trustee | Educational Content Manager
fran@lightyearfoundation.org
Fran is a qualified science teacher, with a background in physics. After volunteering at the Ghana Planetarium in 2009, she was inspired by the huge potential for developing science activities using easily accessible, rescued and recycled items. She works for another charity’s diversity programme that looks to encourage a wider range of people into physics. She brings expertise in teaching, project development and evaluation, and science communication to her roles in the Lightyear team. She aspires to one day build a house and raise goats. |
Laura, Chief Executive
laura@lightyearfoundation.org
Laura was giving an astronomy talk in Ghana when suddenly the students erupted with excitement like they’d won the World Cup. And the cause for such enthusiasm? Simply seeing Mars for the first time. At that moment, Laura decided that enabling people who wouldn’t normally get the chance to experience hands-on, inspirational science would be Awesome – so along with a few like-minded science nuts started the Lightyear Foundation. Laura, by the way, will happily explain particle physics using ice-cream if you give her half a spoon and her favourite scientist is James Young Simpson who knocked himself out whilst discovering chloroform. |
Sarah, External Trustee
sarah@lightyearfoundation.org
Sarah’s mantras are: ‘how do you know?’ and ‘let’s try it’. The benefits of such curiosity can be found manifested most often these days in eccentric if excellent menu choices (tuna and peanut butter = bizarrely good). Sarah brings the same approach to her Lightyear role tempered by the hard years of learning caution (tuna and ham = not so good!). Her excellent judgment has been invaluable in helping to set the strategic direction for Lightyear and in supporting the executive team in their work. For a day job, Sarah works on transport policy and the rest of the time she plays a great deal of sports. |
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