BIG - STEM Communicators Network, UK

A white background with purple and black text reads. BIG Committee 2025/26 Chair Hana Ayoob Vice-Chair Naomi Foster Secretary Chris Snowden-Smith Treasurer Claudia Antolini General Officers Ash Redhouse White Elizabeth Mills Sophia Constantinou Khalil Thirlaway

Executive Committee Results 2025

Thank you to everyone who put themselves forward to be part of exec, this amazing group of volunteers are what makes BIG able to run every year!

Congratulations to those who have been duly elected, your freelance team are excited to work with you all!

I’ve had a blast at my first @big-stem-network.bsky.social meeting at the RI. Learning from a host of amazing people who dedicate their life to sharing the joy of science and make it as accessible as possible. From games and demos, to science TV shows and animal displays. #sciencecomms #naturecomms

Celebrating Ruadh Duggan win silver medal at @big-stem-network.bsky.social #BigEvent2025 #BestDemo

#Bigevent2025 @big-stem-network.bsky.social

BIG poem 2025 #1

There's always something going on at BIG,
From finding your feet to finding freelance gigs.
If you lose your name badge THAT'S OKAY
Just get your audience thinking in mathematical ways.
And asking questions that are SUPERcool,

Hana wearing a black tshirt which says badass science lady, a rainbow pencil necklace, traditional Indian earrings and a brightly patterned skirt in oranges and blues The royal institution logo and motto is above her

Leaving my 10th BIG Event as the incoming Chair of @big-stem-network.bsky.social

Not bad for someone who was told SciComm was probably ‘too competitive a career for someone like you’ 15 years ago.

Here’s to the next year of BIG!

Big shout out to @petergallivan.bsky.social and @kathrynboast.bsky.social for an unprecedented joint winning of @big-stem-network.bsky.social best demo
.some really great #scicomm

You found him!!!

What’s this about then? @big-stem-network.bsky.social #BigEvent2025

A white man and white woman hold a silver trophy in front of a book case

Well, it's been a bit of a whirlwind and our event manager has struggled to find time for social media

But here's a highlight for you!

The winners of this year's Best Demo Competition, in joint 1st place, are @kathrynboast.bsky.social and @petergallivan.bsky.social

Getting set for day 2 @big-stem-network.bsky.social event at @ri-science.bsky.social talking demos and stories

Platform sign showing 07:56 to London

Looking forward to a nice day trip to London to attend the @big-stem-network.bsky.social event at @ri-science.bsky.social

Martin, holding a rubber duck, looking smug

Look what we found #BIGEvent25

@big-stem-network.bsky.social

Can you guess what is being hummed ...

#BIGEvent25

@big-stem-network.bsky.social

Heading to the UK's premier #scicomm conference today. @big-stem-network.bsky.social event hosted at the royal institution. See you there

On my way to the #BIGEvent2025 at @ri-science.bsky.social, perhaps the only conference it's perfectly normal to bring a blender with you to... @big-stem-network.bsky.social

A speaker on stage at the Royal Institution

And were off!

The BIG Event 2025 is now underway!

#BIGEvent25

On our way to the pre-conference social!

In London tonight? Join us for a beverage at the Goat Tavern in Mayfair (just round the corner from the Royal Institution) from 7pm

New and not sure who to look for? Look for the guy in the extremely over the top D&D themed Hawaiian shirt.

You will be missed Jo!

If you're at @big-stem-network.bsky.social this week or if you order anything from canopyrobin.etsy.com you can have one of these stickers for free 🏳️‍⚧️

YouTube video by CanopyRobin Cup or Mug? BIG Best Demo 2024 by Robin Hayward

Heading to the @big-stem-network.bsky.social annual meeting and can't believe it's been a year since I won the Best Demo competition with what was totally a demo of the scientific distinctions between cups and mugs and not at all a call out of gender critical pseudoscience 👀 youtu.be/oxg-COlAqcY?...

A graphic of green pinstripe deck chairs with purple and white text which reads "29C Each Day Bring a Water Bottle Dress for the weather Look out for each other Hot Weather Warning"

It's a hot one!

We wanted to let you know that the Royal Institution is going to be a HOT building this week, and to make sure you are ready for the London heat.

If you need any assistance, please speak to a member of the BIG Exec Committee or a member of staff at the Royal Institution.

I've made it to London, and of course I'm here for the conference I've organised.

But most importantly I get to see some of my best pals in the world this week.

First up, @drtalksalot.bsky.social!

BIG Prep on Elite Mode

A white man with a beard, glasses and an orange hat looks at the camera

Anyone travelling to London today?

Event Manager Sam and his Event Manager Plan are almost there, a whole 48 hours early

When do you get to the capital?

#BIGEvent25

A graphic showing an image of the Royal Institution lecture theatre. Overlaid is text that says Hang out with BIG Event delegates The Goat Tavern, 15th @ 7pm BST Seven Dials Market, 16th @ 7pm BST Join us for networking!

Are you in London this coming week and wanna hang out with cool #scicomm professionals?

You can join delegates from the BIG Event 2025 at the Goat Tavern in Mayfair on Tuesday from 7pm BST.

And then, you could come join us for a bite to eat or drinks at Seven Dials Market on Wednesday at 7pm BST.

A photo of part of a set of small drawers. The lowest drawer is marked "lasers" and contains assorted lasers.

I guess now is a good time to make sure folks going to @big-stem-network.bsky.social BIG event know that you've got a week to dig out and pack any lasers you'd like testing.
An alarming number of (especially cheap..) laser pointers are Dangerously Not What They Say They Are. We can check yours!

It's almost time for #BIGEvent25 and we're so excited that @hanaayoob.co.uk and @acescicomm.bsky.social will be running their #NerdyLooks challenge all week!

Get your nerdiest looks sorted, whether it's that new Lucy & Yak jumpsuit, an over the top lanyard or something else, we wanna see it!

There’s still time to cast your vote for the 2025/2026 Executive Committee. Read about the various roles at www.big.uk.com/volunteer/ and cast your vote at docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F... by 11am Thursday 17th July. The winners will be announced at the AGM later that day, as part of the BIG Event.

A group of enamel pins in the shape of frogs, clustered and sitting on tiny logs like they're part of a class photo. The frogs are coloured as nonbinary, bisexual, LGBTQ progress, trans, pansexual, lesbian, gay man, intersex, asexual, and aromantic pride colours

What we need now is a queer army*

I'm excited to announce my latest Pride pins: a whole crew of queer frogs 🐸 Please share them and check out the thread below to meet the gang 🧵

canopyrobin.etsy.com/uk/listing/4...

*Army is the collective noun for a group of frogs