I am a PhD student at the University of the West of Scotland; working with Dr Andy Miah at the School of Media, Language and Music; and in close collaboration with the Institute of Nanotechnology in Stirling. My research investigates ethical, social, policy and public engagement issues arising from emerging technologies, particluarly focusing on nanotechnology.
During my time as an intern at DaimlerChrysler's Technology and Environmental Communication department in Stuttgart, Germany, I developed a strong interest in researching aspects of communication between scientists, PR professionals and journalists. Foucing on technical innovations like renewable fuels, nanoparticles to modify plastics, and hybrid and F-Cell technologies, I was particularly interested on how to effectively communicate innovations to the broad public. I was mainly engaged in in developing PR strategies and in organising the DaimlerChrysler Innovation Symposium (DCIS) 2004, an event for 300 international journalists, and redefined and developed my ideas on science communication in my BA dissertation at the end of the internship.
As I am exceptionally interested in public and media engagement related to emerging technologies, I started a postgraduate research course (MRes) in Communication studies and Sociology at Brunel University, investigating media messages on nanotechnology, adding a cultural perspective (remains of the DCIS 2004! sic!).
I focused on researching media frames related to risks and benefits of nanotechnology and was sure, even before I finished my disso, that there's still "plenty of room at the bottom" for further research about risks, benefits, policies, public and media engagement in relation to nano...
I am a member of the following professional and academic organisations:
Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL); British Sociological Association; European Communication and Education Association (ECREA); Journalists' Association for Technological-Scientific Publishing (Teli e.V.); Media, Communications & Cultural Studies Association (MECCSA); National Union of Teachers (NUT); Royal Institution of Great Britain.
More details on my work and academic experience may be found on LinkedIn.