Advisory Group

Science made simple is proud of its fantastic advisory group, who enthusiastically give their time to advise us on areas beyond our immediate expertise. We are very grateful for the following for their contributions:

Nick Bodycombe

Nick head up the European Research Office at Cardiff University, working with academic staff and researchers on research proposals and projects across all 27 Academic Schools, on subjects ranging from architecture to zoology. Nick has worked in a variety of different roles in higher education, initially at Swansea University, and since 1996 at Cardiff University, first in the Careers Service, and since 2001 in the Research and Commercial Division.

Nick says: “I originally had contact with Wendy Sadler and her collegues at sms when Wendy applied for, and was awarded, the distinguished Descartes Prize for Science Communication in 2007. Whilst having taken a defree in Economics, when I was much younger I had wanted to be a vet, and have always had an interest in the fascination with the natural world and the laws of nature. I was delighted to accept Wendy’s invitation to join the sms advisory group in 2007, and to support the work of this dynamic and forward-thinking organisation.”

Eric Coombes

Eric in the Head of Science at Whitchurch High School in Cardiff, which is the largest comprehensive school in Wales. He is an active Physics and Astronomy teacher who enjoys learning and teaching to the full. Eric enjoys working closely with pupils of various skills and enthusiastic science teaching staff. He is an assistant examiner in physics for the WJEC and has been part of many LEA working parties that focus in on developing learners in Wales.

Professor Karen Holford

Professor Holford was appointed as Director of the School of Engineering at Cardiff University in August 2010. Previously she held the posts of Deputy Director for Staff and Research Insitute Leader. Karen joined the School of Engineering at Cardiff University as a lecturer in 1990. Prior to this, she worked as senior design engineer at AB Electronic Products Ltd, where she led a variety of projects, in particular in the automotive field with companies such as BMW, Jaguar and Rover. Her first degree was a BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering from UWIST (Cardiff) which was sponsored by Rolls-Royce in Bristol, where she worked during industrial placements and as a graduate engineer. Her PhD in Acoustic Emission was also undertaken in Cardiff, at UCC, sponsored by the Health and Safety Executive in Sheffield.

Karen is an active researcher in the field of damage assessment (in particular the use of acoustic emission) with a track record of successful industrial contracts as well as EPSRC and TSB supported projects. She has published over 120 research papers (70 Journal Papers) and led research projects totaling over £5M.

Gareth Evans

Currently Head of Business Development, in the Research & Commercial Division, Cardiff University – responsible for building links and partnerships with business and other organisations through outreach programmes such as Cardiff University’s Innovation Network, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and promoting the use of the University’s world leading expertise and facilities. Main business experience gained in a number of roles within medical diagnostics and medical device industry, including establishing a UK company and launching a continuous glucose monitor for diabetics. Prior to joining Cardiff University in 2008, had spent 4 years as a self-employed financial adviser.

Rebecca Hope-Gill

Secondary science co-ordinator for Cardiff City Council in the department of Education and Life Long Learning. Rebecca also works in both the primary and secondary sector in a consultancy role supporting heads of science and primary science co-ordinators in school in leading and developing science within thier school. She continues to work with small groups of pupils mainly doing intervention work in science in order to improve their performance at KS3 and KS4. For the previous two years up to September she worked as Head of Science at Cantonian High School in Cardiff.

Mark Taylor

Mark Taylor is a Divisional Director with consultancy firm Mott MacDonald and is based in their Cardiff Office. He has worked in design, project management and construction supervision on a broad spectrum of projects, from power stations to bridges and highways, school and laboratory buildings and rail schemes. He has a special interest in flooding and water related work. Mark graduated in Civil Engineering from the University of Liverpool in 1981and worked on supervision duties on several large construction sites before moving to the design office in North Wales. He became a Chartered member of the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Institution of Highways and Transportation and is an Environmental Partner with the Institution of Water and Environment Management. He spent two and a half years as Resident Engineer on a major bridge project in Hong Kong. He moved to Cardiff on his return to UK in 1998 and now manages projects undertaken in the region. He has been active in developing links with Cardiff University and was very pleased to have been asked to join the SMS advisory group.