JOSH AWARD COMMITTEE AND JUDGING PANEL


Tim Phillips, Josh Award Chair

Hi, I'm Josh's Dad. Josh was always fascinated  by science – and magic – from his earliest  times, and went on to make Sci-Comm his  career.

He studied Philosophy of Science at Leeds Uni and did the Part Time MSc in Sci Comm at Birkbeck College. 

He went into Manchester Museum of Science & Industry one wet Sunday afternoon, with his daughter. The then fairly new Explainer Gallery blew his mind! “This is the way forward!” said he, and asked if there were any jobs to be had – and managed to land one as an Explainer there! 

Josh had a really great time doing Explaining, became the Museum's first Science Communications Officer, doing gallery management and creation, including creating their innovative Waste Recycling Gallery, joined BIG via the BIG Events at the Herstmonceux Observatory in the BIG Event's early days, and became BIG Chair in the year he ran the first ever Manchester Science Festival, which he had dreamed up and convinced the Museum bosses was the way to go! That year, 2006, Josh was killed in a freak accident, whilst cycling home after work.

He was a great guy (Yes, I'm biassed for sure!). In 2007, the Museum and Josh's family, with BIG's support, set up the Josh Award for excellence in science communication and engagement for early career sci-commers. Its for the profession, and named in Josh's memory 'cos he was really good at it! Its there to give early career Sci-commers something to aim for, to enjoy having a go at, and to do some career enhancement too. BIG right from the start saw the Award as providing a much needed early recognition, encouragement and professional attainment goal for the sci-comm world. Excellence in pushing the sci-comm boundaries, engaging all sorts of folk more with science, being upfront science: its  showmanship with a purpose!

Since then, the Museum has handed its patronage of the Josh Award on to the Josh Award Committee, which represents the sci-comm world, presently composed of: BIG, ASDC, UKSFN, Cheltenham Science Festival, plus hands-on sci-comm professionals. The Award has taken wing!

Its been a great journey since 2007, even for me as a Sci-comm fan. Meeting fascinating, energetic people starting out in sci-comm: seeing such great quality science engagement people: experiencing their always creative work adding so positively to the world - all so really cheerfully and passionately!

Long may it last!

Hana Ayoob, Committee

Hana is the Chair of BIG: The STEM Communicators Network. She is 60% freelance, working across science communication and public engagement as a trainer, public speaker, illustrator, consultant and more. The other 40% of the time, she is the Patient and Public Involvement Manager for the British Society for Immunology. 

James Brown, Committee and Judging Panel

James Brown is the Head of Festivals at the British Science Association, Director of the British Science Festival and Chair of the UK Science Festivals Network. His work is focussed on making science more relevant, representative and connected to society by creating inclusive cultural events which celebrate the people at the heart of science.


Sarah Bearchell, Committee and Judging Panel

Dr Sarah Bearchell is a freelance science writer and presenter. She won the 2014 Josh Award for her work in special needs schools and the 2024 Beetlestone Award for her long-term commitment to developing and sharing Inclusive Science - where activities are multisensory and participatory.

Chenying Liu, Judging Panel (2026)

Dr Chenying Liu is an origami engineer and roboticist who enjoys science communication alongside her research. She received the 2024 Josh Award for her programme on sustainable origami, and delivered an Award Lecture at the British Science Festival in the same year on origami-informed robotics.