How to apply webinar | 24 June 2026

Sophie Meekings is a neuroscientist whose work focuses on understanding speech production in typical speakers and people with communication disabilities (like stuttering). Studying voices was an unusual choice, as Sophie is profoundly deaf – but she believes her lived experience of communication disability makes her a better researcher as she has a deep personal understanding of the complexity of spoken communication and the challenges it can pose for disabled people. Sophie is currently a Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of York, with previous work funded by the British Academy and the Economic and Social Research Council. In her spare time, she volunteers for a national outdoor education charity and can teach you how to light a fire, read a map, or whittle a spoon.

Sophie Meekings is a neuroscientist whose work focuses on understanding speech production in typical speakers and people with communication disabilities (like stuttering). Studying voices was an unusual choice, as Sophie is profoundly deaf – but she believes her lived experience of communication disability makes her a better researcher as she has a deep personal understanding of the complexity of spoken communication and the challenges it can pose for disabled people. Sophie is currently a Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of York, with previous work funded by the British Academy and the Economic and Social Research Council. In her spare time, she volunteers for a national outdoor education charity and can teach you how to light a fire, read a map, or whittle a spoon.

Charlotte Senior is the Membership and Alumni Officer and joined the UK Young Academy at the end of November 2023. As part of her role, she overseas member activities and development, facilitates member-led projects, and organises events for members and stakeholders, including the New Members’ Induction and Annual Members’ Meeting. She is also the project manager for the yearly call for applications. With previous roles spanning design to clinical reporting, Charlotte has experience in membership and public engagement, organising sell-out public events, and supporting individuals at all stages of their careers to develop new skills. Outside of work, Charlotte is a regular performer with the BBC Symphony Chorus and keen houseplant cultivator – casual hobbies which have grown exceedingly out of hand.

Sophie Meekings is a neuroscientist whose work focuses on understanding speech production in typical speakers and people with communication disabilities (like stuttering). Studying voices was an unusual choice, as Sophie is profoundly deaf – but she believes her lived experience of communication disability makes her a better researcher as she has a deep personal understanding of the complexity of spoken communication and the challenges it can pose for disabled people. Sophie is currently a Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of York, with previous work funded by the British Academy and the Economic and Social Research Council. In her spare time, she volunteers for a national outdoor education charity and can teach you how to light a fire, read a map, or whittle a spoon.

Alina Patelli is a Senior Lecturer in Applied Artificial Intelligence at Aston University. She is passionate about the environmental agenda and is committed to realising it by harvesting the power of AI, ethically, safely, and considerately. She dedicates her work, both in the arena of scientific research and in the classroom, to developing powerful, reliable and moral technologies with direct applications in problem domains directly relevant to the net zero strategy. Intelligent transportation is one. Imagine a fully integrated urban ecosystem where people, their vehicles and the roads on which they travel interact in a sustainable, conscientious way that preserves the planet and betters the lives of its inhabitants. This is what Alina stands for and aims to bring about by educating the AI researchers of tomorrow.

Fatima Rezai is currently a PhD researcher at Nottingham Trent University, specialising in diaspora studies and the experiences of marginalised communities, particularly women and ethnic minorities in migration. Her extensive career in conflict-affected regions, working in humanitarian relief and Development Programs with UN agencies and non-governmental organisations, has deeply shaped her academic journey. Having led and contributed to initiatives addressing the needs of vulnerable communities – especially women and children – she brings a nuanced, interdisciplinary approach to her research. A recipient of the prestigious Chevening and Fulbright scholarships, Fatima is committed to producing impactful scholarship that informs inclusive policies and amplifies the voices of underrepresented populations.

Oliver is an environmental lawyer and Director of Legal Affairs and NDC Partnerships at Balance Eco, a UK-based climate finance venture working at the intersection of law, climate governance, and environmental markets. His work focuses on developing nature-based finance models that combine biodiversity restoration, socio-economic equity, and climate mitigation. He works with governments and partners to integrate these approaches into national climate strategies and international climate policy frameworks. Oliver has contributed to climate policy discussions at COP27–30, UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations in Bonn, and New York Climate Week. Earlier in his career, he worked at a leading law firm in London and at the European External Action Service in Brussels, focusing on environmental law and transatlantic policy cooperation. Alongside his professional work, Oliver participates in international networks focused on climate leadership and cross-sector collaboration. He holds law degrees from the University of Cambridge, BPP University in London, and the University of Manchester.