Dr Elizabeth Stevenson (PhD, SFHEA) Reader
Programme Director for on-campus and online MScs Science Communication and Public Engagement
Address
- Street
-
Old Medical School
Teviot Place - City
- Edinburgh
- Post code
- EH8 9AG
Background
Programme Director for the on-campus and online MScs in Science Communication and Public Engagement. This role involved designing, developing and leading the programmes and we attract international cohorts of students. I teach, supervise dissertations and assess students on the programmes. I am Course Organiser for the Hons elective in Science Communication. I lead a team of eight full-time and part-time Lecturers and Teaching Fellows who teach and assess on the MScs and UG courses ins science communication.
I initiated and developed (with a colleague) the Social Research Ethics Group in the BMTO and provide ethics guidance for students and their supervisors,
member of and reviewer for EMREC (Edinburgh Medical School Ethics Committee, Convenor of the Board of Examiners for MSc Biodiversity, Wildlife and Ecosystem Health
I have many years of teaching experience; in chemistry (2008-2012) and in science communication 2012-present day.
Previously I was a science communicator/public engagement practitioner in the School of Chemistry, a role I combined with teaching.
CV
159044.pdf
Qualifications
2012 Post-graduate Certificate in Academic Practice
1998-PhD in Organic Chemistry
1993-Graduate of the Royal Society of Chemistry( Part II)
Responsibilities & affiliations
Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Committee member of and reviewer for EMREC (Edinburgh Medical School Research Ethics Committee)
Co-founder and Chair of SREG (Social Research Ethics Group)
Convenor of Board of Examiners (MSc Biodiversity Wildlife and Ecosystem Health
External Examiner (DCU)
Undergraduate teaching
Course Organiser for a 20 credit Honours elective in science communication
Postgraduate teaching
Designed and deliver, as Programme Director,, two MScs Science Communication and Public Engagement-full-time on-campus and part -time online.
Teaching and assessment, as Course Organiser for
On-campus
Principles and Practice in Science Communication and Public Engagement (20 credits)
Science, Society and the Media (20 credits)
Placement semester 1 (10 credits)
Placement 2 semester 2 (10 credits)
Creative Arts in Science Engagement (10 credits)
Dissertation (60 credits)
Online
Dialogue for Science Communication and Public Engagement -online (10 credits)
Creative Arts in Science Engagement -online ( 10 credits)
Supervise and assess dissertations
Programme Director for a PhD with Integrated Study-Medical Sciences with Engagement for Impact
Course Organiser for 4x 20 credit courses (Engagement for Impact I, II, III, IV.
Open to PhD supervision enquiries?
Yes
Current PhD students supervised
Ongoing: Understanding involvement of audiences with disabilities at live science events in the UK
As second supervisor
Past PhD students supervised
An Analysis of Visual Images in ‘Encountered’ Science Communication. Kaewnapha Phothi (2019)
Engagement and Enrichment Programmes in Science Museums and Science Centres. A comparative study of UK and China. Lei Qiu (2022)
Dance and Diabetes, an evolving model to engage underserved communities Rebecca Pritchard (2025)
Research summary
I am interested in teaching and learning in science communication: how students learn, what do they find challenging and how can we support students in their learning. I value training and support for staff in teaching and have a particular interest in assessment literacy. I am interested in how the ethos and principles of Equity Diversity and Inclusion and incorporated into science communication practice
Publications in Science Communication and Public Engagement
Pritchard, R., Darko, N., Stevenson. E. (2024) Coproducing justice in public involvement: impact-led iterative development of a dance based community engagement project building relationships in marginalised communities Research Involvement and Engagement. 11:44. 2 August 2024
Pritchard, R., Darko, N., Stevenson. E. (2024) Enhancing Community Engagement, Public Involvement, and Social Capital through Researchers' Participation in Community Dance Projects: Unexpected Outcomes in Underserved Communities. Research Involvement and Engagement. 10:79. 2 August 2024
Beange. I., Davidson. D.J., Goopy. S., Huang. H., Murray. F., Porteous. C., Rhodes. S., Stevenson. E., Watson. F., Fletcher Watson. S. (2024) Ethical Considerations in Public Engagement: Developing Tools for Assessing the Boundaries of Research and Involvement. Research Involvement and Engagement. 10:83. 7 August 2024
Massarani, L., Bray, H., Joubert, M., Ridgway, A., Roche, J., Smyth, F., Stevenson, E., van Dam, F. and de Abreu, W. V. (2023). The distribution of science communication teaching around the globe JCOM 22(06), A05. https://doi.org/10.22323/2.22060205 11 December 2023
Stevenson, E. and McArthur, J. (2015) Triple nexus: improving STEM teaching through a research-public engagement-teaching nexus, International Journal for Academic Development vol 20 no.3, pp 291-294. 3 January 2015
Stevenson, E. and Rea, H., (2012) What does quality mean in public engagement with science? PCST International Conference in Science Communication 2012, Conference Proceedings. August 2012
Stevenson, E. (2011) Public engagement with science: ways of thinking and practising. New Directions in the Teaching of Natural Sciences. 7, pp. 45-51.
Stevenson, E. (2009) Public engagement with a twist. New Directions in the Teaching of Natural Sciences. 5, pp. 12-15.
Publications in chemistry
McNab, H., Parsons, S. and Stevenson, E. (1999) Pyrolytic cascades: a convenient entry to 5H-pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoindol-5-ones and related heterocyclic systems , J. Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans. 1,1999, 2047-2048.
Clark, B.A.J., Despinoy, X.L.M., McNab, H., Sommerville, C.C. and Stevenson, E. 1999 Pyrolytic cyclisation reactions of 3-azolylpropenyl alcohols; unexpectedly facile thermal decomposition of 5H-pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoindole. J. Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans. 1, 1999, 2049-2052.
McNab, H., Morel, G. and Stevenson, E. 1997 A Short Convenient Synthesis of Propynal† J. Chem. Res. (S), 207-207
Blogs
The Importance of Being Earnest about Assessment Literacy-Teaching Matters
Science Communication: It's so much more than fracking factoids. University of Edinburgh
Knowledge exchange
Development of resources for IAD to provide starter training for those new to teaching
Project activity
The Intersectionality Walk-as a pedagogical tool for science communication learners-in collaboration with Australian National University and Utrecht University
Past project grants
As Principal Investigator
• Scottish Government ‘Talking Science’ Award’ £8000 (2013)
• Royal Society of Chemistry £10,000 (2011)
• Wellcome Trust People Award £21,000 (2009-2010)
• Scottish Government Science Engagement £9000 (2008)
• Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Partnerships for Public Engagement £127,000 (2007-2009)
• Scottish Government Science Engagement £8000 (2007)
As Co-Investigator
• EU funding for international Science Technology Engineering Arts and Maths (STEAM) summer schools for students (undergraduate and post-graduate) journalists and teachers. The STEAM project provides an excellent Knowledge Exchange platform for the consortium partners and the project includes a research component 250,000 Euros
(2015-18)
• EPSRC Partnerships for Public Engagement £198,000 (2005-2008)
• EPSRC Partnerships for Public Engagement £20,000 (2002-2003)
• EPSRC Partnerships for Public Engagement £12,000 (1999)
• Wellcome Trust People Award £30,000 (2005).