HI I’M JULIE ANN FOOSHEE
MY STORY
I am a PhD student at the University of Edinburgh studying science festivals and intersections of accessibility and outreach. My own experience of being disabled has led to my interest in exploring how science and technology both help and harm those accessing STEM outreach events. While studying the work of science festivals and collaborating with other professionals and researchers in the varied overlapping fields where I study, the closer I come to understanding this work and the effects on all the communities it touches.
SELECTED EXPERIENCE
October 2021- October 2022
RESEARCH ASSISTANT; ECA/EFI UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH
My work with the Edinburgh Futures Institute on The New Real comprised ethnography of experience and tracking the production of the project. This was my second time working with the team at EFI and my prior work with them was also in the realm of science festivals and ethnography. I also worked on the marketing and social media aspects of the project in the early phases prior to and through their time at Are Electronica.
September 2019- June 2020
SCIENCE ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST; NASA
My role at NASA, Johnson Space Centre was based in the ARES division where I worked alongside scientists to make content around their findings accessible to the public, mostly non-agency audiences. I planned small events and participated in large scale events as an agency ambassador. I also worked through the early phases of the pandemic working to bring resources that were developed by the division online for teachers.
May 2013 - August 2019
COORDINATOR; MIT
My time as the Science Festival Alliance Coordinator at the MIT Museum at MIT was focused on networking dozens of festivals across North America and creating global relationships with our counterparts abroad. Part of this work was focused on bringing to life annual conferences, evaluation of our network, and social media and web upgrades. I also spearheaded projects focused on diversity and inclusion with science events.
ACADEMICS
Degree: Science Communication and Public Engagement with Science
PhD: In Progress
November 2021 - Current
PhD, University of Edinburgh
September 2020 - November 2021
MsCR, University of Edinburgh
Degree: Science and Technology Studies
MScR: Graduated with Merit; Dissertation: Barriers of Engagement: Science Technology in Society and Science Festivals vs the Digital Divide
September 2016 - July 2019
MsC, University of Edinburgh
Degree: Science Communication and Public Engagement
MSc: Graduated with Merit
Dissertation: Rules of Engagement: Live Science Events as Defined by the Sector
July 2002 - May 2006
BA, University of Georgia
Degree: History
Thesis: Twenty Years of Urban Renewal: The Jacksonville Story
MY SKILLSET
SCIENCE COMMUNICATION
Advanced
I have extensive experience in communicating science to multiple audiences and creating appropriate content for all event types.
RESEARCH
Advanced
My current and past work on research projects in the US and UK have prepared me for all types of research; I currently work in ethnographic research but am happy to expand.
Oscar Wilde
"You will always be fond of me. I represent to you all the sins you have never had the courage to commit."