Sallie Robins
Sallie Robins is our Executive Secretary.
She has an MSc in Science Communication and worked in PR at the British Association for Science (now the British Science Association) running the press office at the Festival of Science.
Previously, Sallie researched, wrote and promoted science and public health policy at the British Medical Association. She has worked as a publicist to science authors including Richard Dawkins and Martin Rees, and organisations such as the Royal Society, the Science Museum and the Cheltenham Science Festival. She was Co-Director of the World Conference of Science Journalists held in London in 2009 and is Director of the World Conference of Science Journalists being held in London in 2027.
Vera Novais
Vera Novais is our Community Manager.
Vera has been a journalist since 2013. Her main beat is science and health, but working for a generalistic news media meant she often found herself reporting on other topics. As a journalist, Vera embraces the mission of providing the best information possible to her audience, including counteracting mis- and disinformation.
Being a science journalist means not only covering science stories (at large) but also being part of a wide international community that she works to help flourish. Vera has been a member of ABSW since 2017, she often collaborates with the World Federation of Science Journalists (WFSJ), and she's a board member of SciComPt - The Portuguese Network of Science and Technology Communication.
As a Community Manager, Vera expects to network with ABSW members and followers, to listen to their queries, and to address needs and expectations.
Maisie Keogh
Maisie Keogh is our Young Science Writer Award Programme Director.
Maisie leads the UK’s national competition celebrating outstanding science writing by 14–16-year-olds. She steers the strategic development of the programme, manages partnerships with organisations including the BBC, the Royal Institution and the Science Museum, and drives national engagement across schools, teachers, and young people.
Maisie holds a BSc in Chemistry and an MSc in Biofluid Mechanics, and she is finishing a PhD in Rehabilitation Engineering with a focus on motion analysis in stroke rehabilitation. Alongside her academic work, she works within the NHS, contributing to clinical orthopaedic research and the improvement of motion analysis and rehabilitation pathways.
A Churchill Fellow and experienced science communicator, Maisie brings a research-led and educationally grounded approach to youth engagement. She is committed to widening access to science opportunities for young people from state-funded non-selective schools and ensuring that the Young Science Writer Award continues to provide a national platform for emerging scientific voices. Maisie’s research on stroke rehabilitation technology caught the attention of BBC Click, and she’s also published in Nature—showcasing her dedication to pushing the boundaries of science. A long-standing member of the ABSW, Maisie is passionate about clear, engaging science communication and regularly gets involved in initiatives that bring together researchers, clinicians, and the public.
