Science and Development Network
News, views and information about science, technology and the developing world
People
SciDev.Net involves a wide range of individuals, working together towards common goals. As well as its users, SciDev.Net has:
Staff
Tracy Irvine, acting director and head of business development development@scidev.net
Tracy is responsible for overseeing SciDev.Net’s regional development, overall marketing and user engagement efforts, and income generating strategies. She most recently worked at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, setting up Kew’s Innovation Unit, integrating their plant science and skills into global industry and governments, particularly within the Middle East and Africa. Prior to this she worked as an environmental/communications advisor to civil society in Southern Africa and has over 17 years experience in environmental management and communication organisations. Academically, she has a BSc Environmental science, MSc Development Studies and studied Science Communication at Birkbeck College.
David Dickson, editor editor@scidev.net
David is editor of SciDev.Net, and was its founding director (2001/2011). He was news editor of Nature from 1993 to August 2001, and was the journal’s Washington correspondent from 1977 to 1982. Originally a graduate in mathematics, he has also worked for The Times Higher Education Supplement (1973-1977), Science (1982-1989) and New Scientist (1989-1992).
Naomi Antony, assistant news editor news@scidev.net
Naomi helps run the news desk at SciDev.Net, searching for news stories and subediting articles. She has a BSc in geology and an MSc in science communication, both from Imperial College London. Naomi joined the team in November 2007, shortly after completing her MSc.
Paul Dawson, operations manager operations@scidev.net
Paul is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations at SciDev.Net’s London office, including overseeing the organisation’s finances, HR, IT systems, legal affairs and providing governance support to the board of trustees. Paul joined us in October 2011 following 6 years working in the charitable sector with responsibility for finance, IT, HR and general office management. Prior to that Paul worked in materials research and development in the aerospace industry.
Jan Evetts, website support technician support@scidev.net
Jan provides in-house technical support for the website. He previously worked as a consultant analyst on social housing projects for the United Kingdom’s Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Jan holds a degree in chemistry from Imperial College, London.
Carmen Fishwick, editorial production coordinator production@scidev.net
Carmen helps run both the editorial and production teams at SciDev.Net. She has a BA in communications and an MA in international relations and development from the University of Warwick. Before joining SciDev.Net, Carmen worked for English language magazines and newspapers in Shanghai and Beirut, and has held communication and production roles at Human Rights Watch and the BBC.
Clair Grant-Salmon, marketing manager marketing@scidev.net
Clair manages the planning, development and monitoring of marketing and communication activities at SciDev.Net, with a focus on global public engagement. Clair has a background in marketing and business management within publishing, and has worked with a number of scientific publishers, including Earthscan, UK. Clair holds a BA degree in Economics and Business Management and a CIM Diploma in Marketing.
Aisling Irwin, news and features editor news@scidev.net
Aisling commissions news and feature articles for the website, and oversees their editing. Before joining SciDev.Net she was a freelance journalist writing mostly about science and development from Indonesia, Zambia, Angola and Cape Verde. She graduated in Chemistry and has an MSc in the History and Philosophy of Science. She was science correspondent for The Daily Telegraph, in London, for four years, and also worked for the Times Higher Education Supplement. She has written two books.
Andrew Lee, web production manager production@scidev.net
Andy manages the editorial production of all material posted on the website, and oversees website operation and development projects. Before joining SciDev.Net in May 2007, Andy was a production editor at the Royal Society (United Kingdom). He has a PhD from the University of Leeds in analytical chemistry applied to complex environmental and atmospheric mixtures.
Anita Makri, commissioning editor topics@scidev.net
Anita manages the topic gateways, commissioning and editing contributions from scientists, policymakers and other stakeholders. Before joining SciDev.Net in December 2010, Anita worked as an editor for online news and open-access journal publications. She has written on health risks and vulnerability based on her research at the George Washington University, the Stockholm Environment Institute and the Joint Research Centre. She has an MA in environmental science and policy and an MPH in epidemiology.
Gillian McAveety, office administrator and PA to the director accounts@scidev.net
Gillian provides administrative support in the day-to-day running of SciDev.Net’s London office and PA duties to the director of SciDev.Net. She worked with one of the largest older peoples charity’s in the United Kingdom prior to joining SciDev.Net where she coordinated the organisations operations, including the finances, human resources, IT support and conference facility.
Jessica Romo, evaluation officer marketing@scidev.net
Jessica helps meet both the strategic M&E (monitoring and evaluation) and marketing needs of the organisation ; assisting global strategic, technical and programme evaluations. She has work experience in the private, public and third sector -— both in the developing and industrialised world. Jessica has a BA in International Studies and an MSc in Development and Environmental Issues, with a particular specialisation in participatory M&E methods for governance and development models.
Mićo Tatalović, deputy news editor news@scidev.net
Mićo supports the news editor in managing the flow of news stories to the website, and stands in for the editor when they are absent. He has an MPhil in zoology and an MSc in science communication. While studying he edited student science magazines BlueSci (at Cambridge) and I, science (at Imperial College, London). Before joining SciDev.Net in March 2010, Mico worked for the UK-based medical comic-book publisher Medikidz.
Consultants
SciDev.Net employs a number of part-time consultants to provide dedicated editorial, marketing and other services for the regions we cover.
Our regional coordinators drive our networks in China, Latin America and the Caribbean and South Asia. They are pivotal in managing the future direction of the networks. They build partnerships with key organisations, coordinate editorial input on the website, promote SciDev.Net and manage their teams of consultants and freelancers.
Li Jiao, China news correspondent lijiaosun@gmail.com
Luisa Massarani, regional coordinator americalatina@scidev.net
Luisa Massarani is based in Brazil, and is responsible for coordinating SciDev.Net’s freelance correspondents and other key individuals and organisations in Latin America and the Caribbean. She also coordinates meetings, workshops and other training events on science communication and science journalism. Luisa is a science journalist, has a PhD in science communication, and has published several scientific papers and books in this field. She coordinates the nucleus of studies on science communication at Museum of Life/Fiocruz in Rio de Janeiro, which hosts SciDev.Net Latin America.
Paula Leighton, regional consultant paula.leighton@scidev.net
Paula Leighton is a science journalist based in Chile, and has a master's degree in electronic media. She has been writing articles for SciDev.Net since 2004, and also assists Luisa Massarani and works on SciDev.Net promotional activities. She Paula was formerly a journalist for Enlaces, a science programme broadcast by public television in Chile, and was the editor of the science and health section of the nation newspaper La Tercera. She now writes about science and health for El Mercurio, another national newspaper in Chile.
Lisbeth Fog, regional consultant
Lisbeth Fog is based in Bogotá, Colombia, and is responsible for editing SciDev.Net's Spanish articles, sometimes translating English versions into Spanish. She also acts as a freelance correspondent. Lisbeth has been a science writer since 1984, and holds an MSc in science reporting, from Boston University, United States, where she travelled as a Fulbright scholar. She produces daily one-hour science show for Colombia’s national radio, and writes about science and development issues. She also writes profiles of Colombian scientists for www.universia.net.co and teaches science journalism at Universidad Externado de Colombia.
Organisation: Universidad Externado de Colombia
Country: Colombia
Daniela Hirschfeld, regional consultant daniela.hirschfeld@scidev.net
Daniela is a science journalist based in Uruguay who assists Luisa Massarani. She writes about science, technology and health for Búsqueda, a weekly newspaper in Uruguay, and is editor of a magazine. Daniela also is assistant professor at the Universidad Católica del Uruguay where she teaches science journalism.
Bothina Osama, MENA regional coordinator bothina.osama@scidev.net
Bothina is a science journalist based in Cairo and is responsible for commissioning and editing SciDev.Net's MENA news. She is a founding member of the Arab Science Journalists Association. She has a background in science journalism especially on the internet, and was the managing science editor at Arabic website IslamOnline.net for several years. Bothina holds a BSc in commerce from Cairo University.
T V Padma, regional coordinator padma@scidev.net
T V Padma reports on science from India, coordinates freelance contributions from the region and liaises with key organisations that partner with SciDev.Net activities. She has a post-graduate degree in science from the University of Delhi, India. She has worked as a science correspondent with the Press Trust of India, and ran development communication projects for Panos South Asia. She also writes for Nature Medicine and New Scientist.
Sanjay M. Johri, regional consultant
Sanjay M Johri is a journalist and lecturer from India, in addition to writing news stories he undertakes significant promotional work for SciDev.Net in South Asia. He has 20 years journalistic experience in the fields of science and politics and is head of the Maharana Institute of Communication Studies, where he teaches professional journalism and mass communication. He has authored the book 'Out in the Field – A Reporter's Guide' and produced three documentaries. Sanjay is also the secretary of the Indian Science Writers Association and co-founder of the Media Communication Research Foundation (MCRF) in India.
Organisation: Maharana Institute of Communication Studies
Country: India
Joel is an award winning freelance science journalist based in the Philippines and is responsible for coordinating SciDev.Net’s freelance writers in South-East Asia & Pacific. Joel has a master’s degree in environmental science and, as an experienced consultant on science, agriculture, environment and education sectors, has been involved in various projects of World Bank, USAID, ADB and Unicef. He is also a long-time director for public relations for Rotary Club Makati Olympia.
Ochieng Ogodo, regional news editor ochieng.ogodo@scidev.net
Ochieng′ Ogodo is a Kenyan science journalist and is responsible for coordinating correspondents and coverage from Sub-Saharan Africa for SciDev.Net. He is the English-speaking Africa and the Middle East region winner for the 2008 Reuters-IUCN Media Awards for Excellence in Environmental Reporting. Ochieng’ is the chairman of the Kenya Environment and Science Journalists Association (KENSJA).
As a journalist, his works have been published in various parts of the world including Africa, UK and the USA, including publication in the Egypt based Islamonline, Science Africa (Kenya), The Standard (Kenya) — where he started his journalism, New Agriculturalist, The Guardian and National Geographic. He has a deep interest in science journalism and has also presented papers at conferences on the Media and Environmental Protection and Climate Change Reporting: The Developing Word Perspective.
Trustees
The Board of Trustees sets the overall direction of SciDev.Net and monitors its operation, both through an annual meeting of the full board, and quarterly meetings of its executive committee.
Each trustee is selected for their knowledge and experience of the issues that we cover. Two thirds come from, or are based in, developing countries.
Current membership of the board of trustees is as follows:
Andrew Bennett, chair
Andrew Bennett chairs SciDev.Net’s board of trustees and is a former executive director of the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture. He is president of the UK Tropical Agricultural Association, a member of the Council of the Overseas Development Institute (United Kingdom) and chair of trustees of the Centre for International Forestry Research, Indonesia. Andrew was director of rural livelihoods and environment for the UK’s Department for International Development, providing advice to government ministers. He was awarded the UK Companion: Order of St Michael and St George for his services to foreign nations and has over 40 years experience in international development in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Pacific and Caribbean.
Country: United Kingdom
Nadia El-Awady is a freelance science journalist and media consultant. She is a board member of the World Federation of Science Journalists and founding president of the Arab Science Journalists Association. She was the managing science editor at IslamOnline.net for several years and has freelanced for several international media organizations such as SciDev.net, Cosmos Magazine, and Seed Magazine. After leaving IslamOnline.net she was program manager with the International Center for Journalists on a six-month training project for Egyptian journalists in investigative reporting. In recent years she has been the Middle East regional coordinator of a World Federation of Science Journalists’ training project for journalists in Africa and the Arab world. Nadia has won two international awards for her work. She holds a B.Sc. in medicine from Cairo University and an MA in journalism and mass communication from the American University in Cairo.
Country: Egypt
Judith Francis is the Senior Programme Coordinator of Science and Technology Strategies at the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (the Netherlands). Her background is in science, technology and innovation management. She holds two M.Sc. degrees and earned a certificate in Science, Technology and Innovation Policy from Harvard University. She is the author of numerous publications and edits the CTA S&T Portal on the Knowledge for Development website.
Country: The Netherlands/Trinidad
Nalaka Gunawardene is director and chief executive officer of TVE Asia Pacific, a regional media foundation that communicates about sustainable development and social justice through television, video and the web. Trained as a science writer and development journalist, Nalaka has 20 years of experience in public communication, initially in the mainstream media and later in the development sector. He has also worked with IUCN (The World Conservation Union), consulted for several UN agencies in Asia, and is a board member of Panos South Asia. Organisation: TVE Asia Pacific
Country: Sri Lanka
Khotso Mokhele is vice-president of Scientific Planning and Review for the International Council for Science. He also chairs the board of directors for Mittal Steel South Africa. Previous appointments include the presidencies of the National Research Foundation (South Africa) and the Foundation for Research Development. Khotso was also the founding president of the Academy of Science of South Africa. He holds a PhD in Microbiology from the University of California.
Country: South Africa
Philip Rowley holds several senior positions, including the chairmanship of the audit committee of ARM Holdings PLC and his service as a non-executive director of HMV Group PLC. He is also a member of the National Development Board of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC). Philip was chairman and CEO of AOL Europe until March 2007 and has extensive experience in the financial and publishing sectors. He is a qualified chartered accountant, holds and B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering and is a fellow of the Royal Society of the Encouragement of Arts, Manfactures and Commerce.
Country: United Kingdom
Gérard Toulouse is a member of the joint Ethics Committee for the French National Institute for Agricultural Research and the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development. During his distinguished career he has founded the La Ferthé foundation, chaired the Standing Committee on Science and Ethics for ALLEA, and was a founding member of the National Academy of Technologies of France. Gérard specialises in theoretical physics and has written several books.
Country: France
Contributors
Most of the material on the website is written by freelance contributors, the majority of whom are based in developing countries We are committed to increasing the percentage of content provided by freelancers from developing countries. In the first half of 2007, southern-based contributors produced, on average, 85% of our news and 94% of our commissioned features.
We are always keen to hear from those who would like to contribute material to the website. For further information, visit 'Writing for SciDev.Net'.