Dr Michaela Livingstone-Banks

Michaela is the Divisional lead for Public Engagement with Research (PER), and is responsible for developing, implementing and monitoring the Division's Strategic Plan for Public Engagement with Research, with a focus on engagement with local communities. This includes oversight and delivery of the PER training programme, Oxford Sparks, the University's approach to local science engagement, cross-divisional and University-wide PER initiatives, and other strategic projects that are designed to nurture a positive environment where excellent Public Engagement with Research can flourish as part of research culture and practice.

Prior to working at the University, Michaela was Special Projects Manager at the UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres, overseeing the successful 'Hands-on DNA' and 'Explore Your Universe' national, strategic engagement projects.

She also spent some time as an intern on the learning team of the At-Bristol science centre. Michaela's life in public engagement began during her PhD at the University of Sheffield, where she co-founded the Science Brainwaves group, planned and hosted myriad different public events and designed the website.

I'm a proud LGBT+ Ally.

I'm a Mental Health First Aider - please reach out via email or Teams if you're looking for someone to talk to. My core hours are Mon-Fri, 9am to 5pm - outside of these hours, if you or someone you know needs support or is in crisis: 

• Contact one of the other MPLS Mental Health First Aiders if this fits within their core hours. 
• Call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans, or email: jo@samaritans.org for a reply within 24 hours. 
• Text "SHOUT" to 85258 to contact the Shout Crisis Text Line. 
• Call 111 for urgent GP advice or appointments. 

More information about all these services can be found on these NHS webpages.