Profile

Hi everyone, Pete here! I grew up in Bedford, and spent most of my holidays as a child outside hiking or visiting just about every National Trust property that exists in the UK. I went to study Zoology at the University of Sheffield, graduating in 2012. Whilst at University, I helped run science outreach activities,  and also taught people Brazilian samba drumming. I guess I did a bit of Zoology along the way too! After graduating, I swapped the Peak District for the Swiss Alps, moving to Switzerland to work at Kandersteg International Scout Centre. Here I planned and ran a wide range of activities, including but not limited to trips over glaciers and running alongside a train waving at the King of Sweden. I joined the Royal Institution in early 2016 and only slightly miss the mountains! I love working there, and being a part of helping inspire thousands of young people to take an interest in science.

From a young age I loved nature and exploring: looking in rock pools, or going for long (wet) walks in the Peak District. It was watching David Attenborough on TV though that really inspired me to take an active interest in biology at school, alongside excellent teachers like Mrs Klarich, Mrs Gabri and Mr Spyropoulos. Somehow assessed titrations at A Level chemistry weren’t enough to put me off studying science and so I ended up studying Zoology at University (not having flicking through the whole prospectus, and ending up on Z!).

I organise a wide range of different activities, to help young people and families get hands-on with science. The biggest of these is the Christmas Lectures, but I also organise talks, workshops and activity days to name but a few things. My job involves me working with lots of different scientists and science presenters, bringing them together at the Ri to create amazing and exciting science experiences for young people.