The ASDC board of Trustees is comprised of 8 to 16 professionals who are committed to the mission and values of ASDC, representing leadership both within and beyond our membership. The Board works with the Chief Executive to drive the strategy and vision of ASDC.
Each year Trustee elections are held at The ASDC AGM.
For 2023, this will be held on Thursday 28th September at W5 Science and Discovery Centre in Belfast. This is the first event of the ASDC National Conference.
Trustees serve a three year term and then stand for re-election if they wish. This sets up a rotation of Trustees that gives all ASDC member organisations the opportunity to stand for election to the ASDC Board and to help shape the direction of this national strategic organisation.
2023 Candidates standing for election to the ASDC Board
Laurence Butler, Museum Manager, Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum
Profile
I have been based at Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum since 2005 and have held various roles in different teams including front of house, learning and engagement, outreach and I am now managing Thinktank’s visitor operation as well as the museum operations.
Thinktank is part of Birmingham Museums Trust which looks after 9 sites around the city, this has given me experience working with teams who specialise in heritage, art, history as well STEM topics.
My own achievements include leading the learning aims of the ISF funded MiniBrum project to create a coproduced interactive under 8’s gallery, establishing and delivering teen engagement opportunities across the trust in partnership with academic researchers and planning and implementing the safe reopening of Thinktank following Covid.
In my own time I volunteer as a Scout leader and have been running a local troop for over 20 years. I work mainly with 10 – 14-year-olds but have experience with all sections and am now helping to deliver a program for the newest section, squirrel’s which is aimed at 4 – 6 year olds.
Manifesto
I have worked with ASDC for many years and have found the knowledge and support on offer invaluable in helping both Thinktank grow as an organisation and with my own career progression. I want to champion the use of working with a variety of organisations including those traditional to the STEM field and those that might be more associated with arts, heritage, and culture. I have experience of working in coproduction with a variety of audiences. Coproduction benefits all organisations and enables new ideas to be shared and worked on and allows audiences to have ownership and a voice in what is being produced. I have worked with young people for all my adult life and the energy and enthusiasm they bring to all challenges is what helps me both plan and deliver programs and projects. By working with everyone and hearing new ideas I can help ASDC both thrive and offer the support I have received to all members both on an individual basis or as organisations delivering STEM programs.
Gareth McTiffin, Head of Commercial Development, Techniquest
Profile
Since graduating with a Marketing degree from Aberystwyth University I’ve held commercially focussed roles within visitor attractions, working for six years in London within brands such as Thorpe Park, Pinewood Studios and Madame Tussauds before moving back to Wales and into the world of Science Discovery Centres.
Since I started at Techniquest in 2017, it has radically transformed its offer thanks to the Science Capital investment project. The initiative, which I helped to deliver involved a significant extension allowing us to enhance our experiences to school, corporate and public audiences.
Within our small and dynamic charity I develop, lead and deliver commercial projects and partnerships across the retail, ticketing, operations and events departments. I also investigate new potential revenue streams and consider how our centre can strategically diversify its audiences.
What I bring
- I have over six years of experience working within a small-scale Science Discovery Centre, with a further six years of working within high profile visitor attractions.
- I would provide a Welsh viewpoint to the ASDC, ensuring centres and organisations from all corners of the UK are represented.
- My approach will provide new perspectives for revenue generation, supporting the aspirations of the ASDC to introduce new revenue streams.
- I genuinely strive to apply equality, diversity and inclusion techniques to projects which are visitor and community focussed.
Manifesto
Science Discovery Centers offer a unique and engaging educational environment that goes beyond traditional classroom learning. They provide a valuable space for hands-on experiences, interactive learning and exposure to the wonders of science, contributing significantly to building Science Capital across the country. Part of what makes Science Discovery Centres so engaging is how dynamic they are through the delivery of ever changing shows and programmes. I have experienced first-hand, valuable programmes that have been delivered at Techniquest which wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the ASDC.
As a hopeful trustee, I would like the opportunity to support the charity vision and primary mission which aims to bring organisations from across the UK together to achieve collective impact of all things STEM. I also commit to bringing my experience and perspectives to each meeting to continually further the goals of the ASDC.
John Bull, CEO of Cambridge Science Centre
Profile
After an ancient history degree and an ill-advised (and short) dabble in the corporate world of insurance I began my career in museums and science centres. I’ll be forever thankful that my first position was as an Explainer at the Science Museum. From that time onwards I’ve looked to build my understanding of the almost magical power that science centres have to transform the way that people see themselves and the world around them.
As part of my journey, I’ve been fortunate enough to spend over a decade abroad contributing to and leading projects to create innovative experiences. In the UAE, I was the founding Director of Terra. A new kind of theatrical STEM centre housed within a net zero water and energy building. Before I returned to the UK, we engaged over 2 million people in conversations on ways to improve human and planetary health.
I’m now CEO of Cambridge Science Centre leading the strategic direction for this small charity and helping to navigate a pathway towards a successful future.
Manifesto
I know, as do all of you, that the work of science centres is crucial and impactful. We need to continue pushing forward on our work to find a powerful common language to be able to speak with one voice. I’m determined to lobby for greater and more consistent funding streams for our work based on shared evidence of the change we are enabling.
One of the strengths of the science centre community is our diversity with both national and local impact. Working at a smaller science centre, I am looking forward to representing the needs of similar institutions and supporting a collaborative approach to overcoming shared challenges of sourcing funding and ensuring audience impact.
Looking to the future, I am keen to promote and support the innovative work of the sector to reach beyond the confines of our buildings. Progressive work delivered digitally and through in-person outreach continues to provide evidence as to our ability to support communities on the issues that matter to them. I hate hearing communities described as ‘hard to reach’ our work is pioneering ways to reach those that have been underserved and I want to play a part in highlighting its importance.
At the AGM
Those standing will be asked to introduce themselves to members at the AGM, and give a three-minute 'election speech' covering their background and what they would like to achieve for the national network if elected.
Individuals nominated for the ASDC Board and elected by members will then be invited to four Board meetings per year. These take place in January, April, July and October, both in-person and online/hybrid. Trustees can offer to host future Board meetings. In support of ASDC, the Trustee's organisations generally cover the Trustee expenses to participate in the Board meetings. However this is not assumed, particularly for Trustees whose organisations are outside of the ASDC membership.
Attendance at the AGM is free to all ASDC members and if you wish to attend please notify the team by emailing info@sciencecentres.org.uk.
The main conference begins at 1pm and full details can be found on the ASDC Conference page.
The list of current ASDC Trustees is on the website here