Fasten your seatbelts, this year's Presenter Network Conference is going to be a jam-packed event
We usually host the conference onsite at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, but things are a little different this year.
As we are in the middle of the Royal Observatory's transformation project, this year's Presenter Network Conference on Tuesday 22 September is going digital.
As always, the conference is free!
What is the Presenter Network Conference?
The Presenter Network Conference brings together our hubs from around the UK to share best practice when it comes to presenting. This network has been created by presenters, for presenters.
As always, the conference is designed to give you a snapshot of the network's ‘best bits’ from the last year. We ask our speakers to pack their talks full of the advice and guidance they have gathered through their careers – that means there are always buckets of practical tips for you to take away and try out.
Where is the conference taking place?
This year’s conference will be hosted on Zoom Webinar on Tuesday 22 September, and you will need to book a place – so get in there quick!
You need to be a network member to join the event. If you haven’t already signed up, you can do that here: The Presenter Network
Zoom invitations will then be sent to members.
Conference programme 2026
9am: Introductions
9.15-10.15am: Keynote, Ellie Carter Ames
Break
10.30-11.30am: Style it out!
Speakers will talk about:
- how their style has developed
- what challenges they have faced
- what advice they would share.
Break
11.45 - 12.45pm: Lightning talks
These are rapid talks, each covering something our presenters from within the network want to share with you. This may be something they have developed, learned or discovered.
Conclusion
Keynote Speaker: Ellie Carter Ames
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Creative Director (Universal Creative / Two Tails Productions)
'The Why. The How. The Wow!'
Ellie will be presenting a this year's keynote talk at the Presenter Network Conference, called 'The Why. The How. The Wow.'
Ellie has worked for more than ten years as a Creative Director, working with many of the biggest family-focused brands in the world. She has presented work to Warner Bros., Aardman, Sanrio and, more recently, for Universal Creative, through her work as a Creative Director for Universal United Kingdom Resort.
Meet the Style It Out! speakers
1 / 4
Lucy Cooke
Lucy has been working in the museum sector since 1996, when she joined the National Portrait Gallery sponsorship team. She has been at Royal Museums Greenwich for just over 30 years and has enjoyed a number of roles spanning events management, philanthropy and is now the Head of Development and Events. She enjoys building relationships with supporters, making a difference and believes storytelling lies at the heart of successful fundraising. She is a liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights and when not working enjoys swimming, walking, singing and spending time with her family.
2 / 4
Pranjal Garg
Pranjal Garg graduated with a BSc degree in Planetary Science with Astronomy and is currently an Astronomy Planetarium Presenter and Science Explainer at the Royal Museums Greenwich. She is also working as a STEM Ambassador to communicate science and make it accessible for all group groups. Her interest includes Planetary evolution, Lunar geology and physics.
3 / 4
Jonah Albert
As a Cultural Events Producer at the British Library, Jonah develops ambitions public programmes that bring the Library’s collections, exhibitions, and ideas to life. He commissions and produces talks, panel discussions, performances and festivals, working with leading writers, artists, historians, broadcasters and other cultural figures. Jonah's works pans literature, history, politics and contemporary cultures to creating engaging experience for diverse audiences. He develops partnerships and collaborations, sharing the British Library's distinctive public programme that connects scholarship with public engagement.
4 / 4
Clare Mitchell
Clare Mitchell is a Live Science Communicator and Science Explainer with the astronomy team at Royal Museums Greenwich, bringing Earth and planetary science, astronomy and the natural world to life through storytelling, curiosity, awe and wonder. A graduate in Earth and Planetary Sciences with Astronomy, Clare’s interests span planetary geology, volcanism, star formation, cosmic expansion and the fascinating worlds beyond our own.
A mature student who returned to education later in life, Clare’s own journey has shaped her approach to presenting and communicating science. As someone who is neurodivergent, inclusivity and accessibility are particularly important to her, and she is passionate about finding different ways to make science engaging and meaningful for everyone, whatever their background, age, experience or way of thinking.
Clare is a member and fellow of the Geological Society and the Royal Astronomical Society, as well as a STEAM Ambassador involved in outreach. She is particularly dedicated to using live science, storytelling and shared experiences of awe and wonder to break down barriers to science and encourage people to stay curious, ask questions and see themselves as part of the story of discovery.
Lightning Talks: Presenters
Meet the team behind the Lightning Talks
Dr Matt Pritchard
Dr Matt Pritchard is a science magician and Curator of Wonder. Previously Matt conducted atomic physics research at Durham University. He subsequently went on to work within the Education department at Thinktank Science Museum before setting up his own company 15 years ago. In addition to this experience, he has spent the last 25 years working as a professional magician and is an Associate of the Inner Magic Circle – one of only 300 people in the world to hold this distinction. He is a two-times winner of the international Best Illusion of the Year contest.
Dr Mark Crouch
Dr Mark Crouch is Head of Investigations at Forensic Collision Investigation and Reconstruction Ltd. Mark is a forensic scientist and expert witness that regularly gives evidence at criminal and high court trial that involve deaths or catastrophic injuries.
Alex Ranahan
Alex is a presenter, MC and event host. As an experiences presenter, Alex is keen to share experience of how he influences the energy levels of his audiences to encourage participation.
Liz Avery
Liz is Head of Astronomy at Royal Museums Greenwich and Presenter Network Founder. She is a trained physicist but when she was bitten by the science communication bug there was no looking back. She is an author and experienced presenter in-person, on TV and radio and looks after the Presenter Network as a whole.
Dr Louise Devoy
Dr Louise Devoy is Senior Curator of the Royal Observatory, Greenwich. Louise has a background in astrophysics and the history of science and has worked at various museums in the UK and abroad. She has contributed to exhibitions such as Cosmos and Culture (Science Museum, 2009), Observatory Life (Royal Observatory, Greenwich, 2016) and The Moon (National Maritime Museum, 2019). Her research interests include astronomical instruments, women in astronomy and networks of knowledge exchange between historic observatories.
More about the Presenter Network
Header image: Electric Threads of the Lightning Spaghetti Nebula © Shaoyu Zhang – ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2025