OUR TEAM
“If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch,
you must first create the universe.”
Carl Sagan
At First Create The Media, we believe that it’s not enough to do great science. It needs context, clarity and a coherent story to make an impact and attract the right kind of attention.
We’re a team of smart, talented people who can sniff out a story, create compelling messages and turn complex science into clear communications for a range of audiences.
Get in touch to find out how we can help you share your story.
OUR VALUES
QUALITY
Great science deserves great communication – we pride ourselves on doing every job well and delighting our clients.
UNDERSTANDING
We understand our clients’ needs and their science, and we only work with organisations that understand the value of communication.
INTEGRITY
We’re a no-nonsense company – we’re not buying it, and we’re not selling it either.
RESPECT
We treat everyone who works with us with respect – whether staff, contractors or clients – and we expect it in return.
OUR TALENTED TEAM
KAT ARNEY
Founder and Chief Creative Officer
Kat Arney is an award-winning science writer, public speaker and broadcaster. She founded First Create The Media in 2018, assembling a team of brilliant humans to help organisations in the life sciences tell their stories to the world.
Kat holds a first class degree in Natural Sciences and a PhD from Cambridge University. After leaving the lab, she spent 12 years in the science communications team at Cancer Research UK, co-founding the charity’s ground-breaking Science Blog and acting as a principal media spokesperson.
Kat is the author of three books, Herding Hemingway’s Cats: Understanding how our genes work, How to Code a Human and Rebel Cell: cancer, evolution and the science of life, and has presented numerous radio shows and podcasts, including Genetics Unzipped and The Suffrage Science podcast: How women are changing science, also produced by the team at First Create The Media.
When she’s not working, Kat loves making music, drinking single malt whisky and snuggling spaniels.
Connect with Kat on LinkedIn and follow her on Twitter @Kat_Arney
PHILIPPA SHELTON
Director of Strategy and Content
Philippa is responsible for working on strategic projects and keeping our written content at the highest standard. She works closely with clients and manages our sought after freelance writers ensuring the team provides a flawless service.
She holds a first class degree in Biology and has worked across the research and life sciences sector with first-hand experience of funders, government, charities and professional institutions for nearly a decade.
Her background in science communication and policy means Philippa can put her hand to a broad range of health topics such as genetics, health data, healthtech, and biomedical engineering.
When she’s not keeping busy down the word mines, Philippa is most likely to be found running or swimming in her local park.
SALLY LE PAGE
Head of Audio and Video
Sally is responsible for producing audio and video content for our clients, sharing her wealth of experience communicating science through digital media.
She first started producing entertaining videos about biology on her YouTube channel in 2012, and has since presented a science show for Rooster Teeth and was the first YouTube Creator in Residence for General Electric. She produced the weekly Naked Scientists radio show and podcast for BBC 5Live and also communicates her passion for science as a public speaker at live events, having given talks at the Royal Institution as well as stand-up science comedy nights.
Sally holds a first class degree in biological sciences and a PhD in evolutionary biology from the University of Oxford, looking at fruit fly sex, death and cannibalism.
In her spare time, she can often be found pond dipping, paddleboarding and using insects to make jewellery.
Eleanor Bird
Science Writer
Eleanor is responsible for telling the stories of the organisations we work with.
She holds degrees in Biochemistry and Neuroscience and before joining First Create The Media worked with researchers, publishers and charities as a freelance writer. Eleanor has also worked as a science writer in a university and for a science and technology magazine.
Outside of writing, Eleanor is a keen amateur photographer (squirrels are her favourite) and might otherwise be found with her head in a book or playing various instruments badly.
COMING SOON
Head of Technical Content
We’re looking for an outstanding life sciences writer and editor to take on our more technical B2B clients. Role profile and application info coming soon…
SARAH HAZELL
Chief Operations Officer
Sarah is responsible for the day-to-day running of First Create The Media.
She holds a PhD in Molecular Embryology. Before joining First Create The Media, Sarah worked in communications in the charity sector.
When she isn’t organising the rest of us, Sarah keeps herself busy delivering personal training sessions and teaching classes in the gym.
SHANNON PARKER
Head of Operations
Shannon is our resident Australian and works with Sarah making sure all the day-to-day running of First Create The Media gets done. He is also in charge of paying everyone so we make sure to keep him well fed.
Before joining First Create The Media, Shannon worked in the international retail operations team of a UK high street fashion brand.
When he isn’t up to his eyeballs in process flows and spreadsheets, Shannon is an avid reader and loves a good board game.
COMING SOON
Head of Project Management
We’re looking for a super organised people-person to come and work with us, managing our wide-ranging portfolio of projects delivering high quality science-led communications and content for a diverse international client base. Role profile and application info coming soon…
MARTIN ROBBINS
Business Advisor
Martin is in charge of our business strategy.
He holds a first class degree in Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence. Alongside his role at First Create The Media, he works as a product strategist in health-tech, as well as being a consultant in applied machine learning and freelance writer.
In his spare time, Martin loves travelling, eating good food and enjoying single malts.
JOIN OUR TEAM
Apply to join our freelancer pool
We’re always on the lookout for new talent to join our freelance pool, including writers, editors, account handlers, PR professionals, audio/video producers, animators, designers and social media superstars with experience and background in life sciences and health for our contractor pool.
If you think you’ve got the science chops and sparkling comms skills we’re after, pop your details in the form below and we’ll be in touch.