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Ms Wendy Sadler
(she/they)
MBE MSc FLSW FInstP
Reader
Head of Physics Education Research Group
Overview
I am a lecturer in science communication and education in the School of Physics and Astronomy and I am passionate about enthusing the public about physics and engineering. I also run the award-winning social enterprise, Science made simple which is a Cardiff University spin-out company.
I have written 19 popular science books and am a trained public speaker to LAMDA Grade 8 level.
My research interests are:
- Gender and STEM
- The use of role models
- Measuring the impact of informal learning experiences
- The use of performance and theatre to communicate science
Publication
2024
- Bartlett, S., Sadler, W., Mason, R. and Gruber, M. J. 2024. The Curious Brain: Evaluation report. Project Report. Cardiff: Cardiff University.
2023
- Herman, C., Kendall-Nicholas, J. and Sadler, W. 2023. People like me - Encouraging girls to see themselves in STEM careers. Presented at: 7th IUPAP International Conference on Women in Physics, Online, 11–16 July 2021 Presented at Foley, C. P., Kane, D. M. and Turner, J. eds., Vol. 3040. American Institute of Physics pp. 60006., (10.1063/5.0176062)
- Jordan, S., Bakewell, S., Sadler, W., Thiemann, H., Wardlow, J. and Welsch, C. 2023. Women in physics in the United Kingdom: Successes, challenges, and wider diversity. Presented at: 7th IUPAP International Conference on Women in Physics, Online, 11–16 July 2021 Presented at Foley, C. P., Kane, D. M. and Turner, J. eds., Vol. 3040. American Institute of Physics pp. 50041., (10.1063/5.0175698)
2021
- Sadler, W. J. 2021. Evaluating the short-term and long-term impact of an interactive science show. Research for All 5(2), pp. 399–419. (10.14324/RFA.05.2.14)
2018
- Sadler, W. 2018. Gender role models in STEM - inspiration or threat?. Presented at: STEM for Youth, Milan, Italy, 11 October 2018STEM for Youth. pp. 8-13.
2017
- Sadler, W. 2017. Evaluating the long term impact of live science demonstrations in an interactive science show. Presented at: New Perspectives in Science Education, Florence, Italy, 16 – 17 March 2017New Perspectives in Science Education, Vol. 7. Libreriauniversitaria.it.
2016
- Sadler, W. 2016. Why can't you believe everything you see?. In: Lorch, M. and Miah, A. eds. A Flash of Light: The science of light and colour. Royal Society of Chemistry, pp. 53-62.
Articles
- Sadler, W. J. 2021. Evaluating the short-term and long-term impact of an interactive science show. Research for All 5(2), pp. 399–419. (10.14324/RFA.05.2.14)
Book sections
- Sadler, W. 2016. Why can't you believe everything you see?. In: Lorch, M. and Miah, A. eds. A Flash of Light: The science of light and colour. Royal Society of Chemistry, pp. 53-62.
Conferences
- Herman, C., Kendall-Nicholas, J. and Sadler, W. 2023. People like me - Encouraging girls to see themselves in STEM careers. Presented at: 7th IUPAP International Conference on Women in Physics, Online, 11–16 July 2021 Presented at Foley, C. P., Kane, D. M. and Turner, J. eds., Vol. 3040. American Institute of Physics pp. 60006., (10.1063/5.0176062)
- Jordan, S., Bakewell, S., Sadler, W., Thiemann, H., Wardlow, J. and Welsch, C. 2023. Women in physics in the United Kingdom: Successes, challenges, and wider diversity. Presented at: 7th IUPAP International Conference on Women in Physics, Online, 11–16 July 2021 Presented at Foley, C. P., Kane, D. M. and Turner, J. eds., Vol. 3040. American Institute of Physics pp. 50041., (10.1063/5.0175698)
- Sadler, W. 2018. Gender role models in STEM - inspiration or threat?. Presented at: STEM for Youth, Milan, Italy, 11 October 2018STEM for Youth. pp. 8-13.
- Sadler, W. 2017. Evaluating the long term impact of live science demonstrations in an interactive science show. Presented at: New Perspectives in Science Education, Florence, Italy, 16 – 17 March 2017New Perspectives in Science Education, Vol. 7. Libreriauniversitaria.it.
Monographs
- Bartlett, S., Sadler, W., Mason, R. and Gruber, M. J. 2024. The Curious Brain: Evaluation report. Project Report. Cardiff: Cardiff University.
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
Contact Details
+44 29208 76965
McKenzie House, Room 4th Floor, McKenzie House, 30-36 Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 0DE
Research themes
Specialisms
- Acoustics
- science communication
- Outreach
- Public engagement
- researcher training
