Ms Wendy Sadler MBE MSc FLSW FInstP

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Biography

I graduated from Cardiff University in 1994 with a BSc in Physics and Music and intentions of becoming a sound engineer.  Instead, I began working for Techniquest science centre and caught the science communication bug whilst presenting in the Science Theatre.  After a short stint as a presenter in Australia I became Education Manager at Techniquest and appeared as a regular presenter on three series ofthe ITV Wales programme, "What on Earth" In 2002 I was appointed as the first woman - and youngest person ever - to deliver the Institute of Physics National Schools Lecture tour.

In 2002 I established 'Science made simple' to help translate the complexities of science to engage a wider public. The company reaches around 50,000 people a year with its innovative approach. Thei nteractive shows they offer are a blend of popular culture,entertainment and education. In 2004 I was voted "Welsh Woman ofthe Year" and given the WISE* excellence award for helping to promote science to girls and women. In 2005 the Institute of Physics named her "Young Professional Physicist of the year" and in 2007 I was named as a Laureate in the EU Descartes Prize for ScienceCommunication - a prize formerly won by both David Attenborough and Bill Bryson!

I was part of the first ever all-female team on Channel 4's Scrapheap Challenge programme and has also run over a tank of slime live on the former BBC Tomorrows' World programme!

I completed a Masters in Science Communication with the Open University and am now an honorary lecturer there. In 2017 I was awarded the IOP Lord Kelvin Medal for the promotion of Physics and an MBE in the Queen's Birthday honours for services to science communication. In 2023 I was elected as a Fellow to the Learned Society of Wales.

*Women into Science, Engineering and Construction

Honours and awards

• 2023 - Elected Fellow to Learned Society of Wales
• 2017 - MBE in Queen's Birthday Honours (services to science and engineering communication)
• 2017 - Institute of Physics William Thomson, Lord Kelvin Medal and Prize
• 2015 - Leading Wales Award for Social Enterprise
• 2009 - Royal Academy of Engineering medal for the Public Promotion of Engineering
• 2008 - UK RC Woman of Outstanding Achievement Award
• 2007 - Descartes Prize for Excellence in Science Communication
• 2007 - Institute of Acoustics' Award for Promoting Acoustics to the Public
• 2005 - Institute of physics Young Professional Physicist of the Year Award
• 2004 - Women in Science and Engineering Excellence Award
• 2004 - Welsh Woman of the Year (Science and Technology)

Professional memberships

• Fellow of the Institute of Physics
• Fellow of the ERA
• Honorary Fellow of Trinity St David's University

Committees and reviewing

• Former member of the Science Advisory Council for Wales
• Member of the Cross Party Group on STEMM (Welsh Government)
• Member of the Women in STEM board for Welsh Government
• Reviewer for National Science Grants for public engagement in Luxembourg (FNR)
• Grant reviewer RAEng, STFC
• Journal reviewer JCOM, Gender in STEM