University of Central Lancashire

Dr Joanne Pledger is a senior lecturer in Astrophysics at UCLan and an active researcher using STFC-funded telescopes to investigate the evolution of massive stars and their ultimate death as supernovae. Joanne has a strong background in public engagement and began her outreach work at the Hayden Planetarium in New York. She now continues this in the UK working with the Ogden Trust, UCLan’s Young Science Centre and STEMFirst and often delivers hands-on sessions at UCLan's Alston Observatory https://www.star.uclan.ac.uk/observatories/alston-observatory/

Ruth Spencer is a Co-Course leader in Dance at UCLan and leads the Dance in Education and Community modules. Ruth has vast experience over 30 years developing high quality dance resources and INSET training and mentoring for schools, colleges and organisations across the UK and abroad. She regularly advises national dance companies, such as the English National Ballet, on the development and implementation of high-quality dance education programmes.