About Jackie

Jaclyn is an award-winning Senior Teaching Fellow in the Department of Computing, Imperial College London, with a focus on Equality, Diversity, Outreach and Public Engagement. Her current research interests are in engaging underrepresented groups in STEM, methods of informal science learning and education, and effective ways of communicating science to the public.

Office: Huxley 306
Email: jaclyn.bell [at] imperial.ac.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaclynmariebell/
Twitter: @sciencesummedup 

Awards and Nominations:

  • Grant Holder – Royal Academy of Engineering, Diversity Impact Programme, 2022-23
  • Most Influential Women in UK Tech 2022 (Longlist), Computer Weekly, 2021
  • President’s Awards for Excellence in Societal Engagement, Imperial College London, 2022: The Leadership Award for Societal Engagement: For staff who have demonstrated an on-going commitment to societal engagement; bringing enthusiasm and innovation to this area and actively supporting other staff and students to get involved.
  • Women in Tech Rising Star, Computer Weekly, 2021
  • WISE20 Award Winner, The WISE Campaign
  • Nominee and Special Commendation, Presidents Award for Societal Engagement, Imperial College London, 2020
  • Alumni Award 2019, The University of Liverpool
  • Sir Michael Marshall Award for Diversity in Aviation and Air Charter, The Air Charter Association, 2019.
  • WISE Rising Star Award 2019, sponsored by BAM Nuttall.
  • North West, Wales and Ireland’s ‘STEM Rising Star’, Forward Ladies Regional Winner 2018.
  • Nominee, Sir Arthur C Clark Awards for Education and Outreach, 2018

 

Jackie Bell for Country Life Magazine. Shot at Imperial College in London on July 7th 2022 by Mike Garrard / Country Life Picture Library

Biography (for external talks/events):

Dr Jackie Bell is an award-winning Senior Teaching Fellow for Equality, Diversity, Outreach and Public Engagement at Imperial College London and Honorary Fellow of the University of Liverpool’s Mathematics Department. Having always had a passion for science and a curiosity for the unknown, Jackie became the first in her family to go to University, graduating with a BSc in mathematics (2010). Awarded a John Lennon Memorial Scholarship in 2010, Jackie was able to continue her studies in mathematical sciences (MSc, 2011) before progressing to a PhD in theoretical particle physics, graduating in 2016.

Jackie is passionately dedicated to raising the aspirations of children and adults from backgrounds similar to her own, challenging negative preconceptions and changing young people’s beliefs that higher education and careers in STEM aren’t for them. She has won several prestigious awards and scholarships for her work in advocacy and diversity and was recently named as one of the WISE20 (Women in Science and Engineering) and Most Influential Women in UK Tech (2022, Longlist).

Credit: Richard Taylor Photography

Jackie has three research publications in Physics Review D, and has over 11 years’ experience working with children, young people and under-served communities in various capacities. Regularly invited to present at events across the UK, Jackie has managed a host of national space and physics education programmes in partnership with organisations such as the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and UK Space Agency, most recently contributing to the development of a new programme with STFC to engage more widely, reaching in to marginalised and underrepresented communities to build positive relationships and inspire young people and families with the physical sciences.

Jackie’s ultimate dream is to become Britain’s next astronaut – and more specifically – the first Scouser in space! Her passion for space exploration led her to become one of twelve finalists (from 3000 applicants) to take part in the BBC science production ‘Astronauts: Do You Have What It Takes?’. Following filming, Jackie has continued to work towards her dream of becoming an astronaut, learning to speak Russian and fly helicopters in her spare time, and continues to inspire people of all ages with her journey.

Twitter: @sciencesummedup
Instagram: @drjackiebell