ASDC welcomes three new trustees

The board of ASDC have recruited three new trustees to support, and challenge the organisation, to grow and thrive.

For the first time since the charity was formed, ASDC has changed its articles of association to allow for non-members to sit on the board, bringing a broader and more diverse perspective to the strategic leadership and scrutiny of the charity.

The three new trustees are Savita Wilmot, Savita Willmott Chief Executive of The Natural History Consortium, Hassan Joudi Chartered Engineer, WSP and Dr Sheila Kanani MBE Outreach and Diversity Officer, Royal Astronomical Society.

Savita is Chief Executive of The Natural History Consortium, a charitable collaboration of organisations connecting audiences and the natural world. She has been working in informal science and environmental engagement since 2001, including completing an MSc in Science Communication in 2022. Savita is on the board of Conservation Optimism and a range of national and regional committees.

Hassan studied Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College London and currently works for WSP as a Chartered Engineer in the Power Generation sector. He is involved in the delivery of major infrastructure projects that support the energy transition to net zero. He believes passionately in the importance of effective public communication of science & engineering in our increasingly technology-focused world. Hassan was also the youngest ever Office Bearer to be elected to serve in the leadership team of the Muslim Council of Britain and continues to advocate for the role of young people as a driving force for positive change in society.

Sheila is a British planetary scientist, teacher, science communicator, author and self-alleged space comedian with a background in research from UK universities. Sheila has been the Education, Outreach and Diversity Officer at the Royal Astronomical Society since 2014, is a primary school governor, STEM ambassador and was awarded an MBE in the New Years Honours List 2022 for services to astronomy and diversity in physics.

The board of trustees play a vital role ensuring ASDC has a clear strategy, and that current activities and goals align with the vision for a society where science is accessible, inclusive and valued by all as a fundamental part of everyday life.