Katie Steckles lands award for talent in science

Katie Steckles

Katie Steckles, a former St Cuthbert’s pupil, has big plans for a career in science communication having landed a national award.

The 'JOSH' award was handed to her last week. It is the national award in science communication, established to recognise and support up-and-coming talent in science communication.

The award also recognises a defining moment in the career of a science communicator; a person who is a practicing scientist or someone who has chosen science communication as their profession.

Proud dad Peter Steckles said: “I’m so proud of her to get the Josh Award.”

Katie, who now has a PhD in maths, is already a self-employed maths communicator and is taking on exciting projects at the Manchester Science Festival this year, said: “I'm delighted to have received this award, and I'm very much looking forward to the project in October. I've worked on events with Manchester Science Festival many times in the past, and am extremely proud to be Science Communicator in Residence with such a great organisation.”

Antonio Benitez, director of Manchester Science Festival, said: “We are delighted that Katie will be the science communicator in residence at the Manchester Science Festival 2016. Katie is a very inspiring science communicator and a great ambassador for Manchester Science Festival.”

The winner receives support to nurture their development in the field and their involvement in Manchester Science Festival from the Festival team, the University of Salford’s Science Communication cluster and the BIG STEM Communicators Network.