Hello! I’m Dr Katherine Holmes (you can also call me Kate).
I am an academic researcher turned Communications Trainer and Facilitator, out of the sheer love of it.
Nothing makes me happier than working with amazing, clever folks to share their passions, interests, and knowledge with the world.
Taking the extensive experience from my academic journey, I know what to look for to maximise impact and avoid common pitfalls. It is my mission to change the world of knowledge exchange, one conversation or presentation at a time.
I also practice what I preach, sharing my research expertise with audiences ranging from children through outreach to professors in meetings and invited seminars. No one is ever ‘unreachable’ when you have good comms skills under your belt.
So I deliver training, panels, seminars and organise events, but I also work with the public, focusing on teenagers and marginalised communities including LGBTQ+ groups and the disabled community, whenever I can.
Quick-fire fun facts!
– My PhD was in the Maths department of Imperial College London. I studied applied maths, open quantum systems and how balls move on billiards tables! (I’m not joking – ask me about “Laser Billiards”)
– I’ve trained every kind of mathematician out there from abstract geometry and AI/ML to fluids and finance
– I serve non-maths folks too, having facilitated for teachers, life scientists and industry experts
– I have an advanced DBS checked and completed training in child safeguarding and wellbeing
– A highlight working with children was helping to run a Maths Summer Camp for 12-14year olds. It was so much fun!
– I began learning improv drama in 2018 and have since facilitated for many groups, both for fun and as part of comms training
– I make improvised 1-minute haikus with artworks for my STEM-Improv Network newsletter
– My favourite outreach talk was about data science and finding the perfect cup of tea!
That’s me in a nutshell!
For specific detail on my services, please explore my website or contact me at Hello@DrKatherineHolmes.com
As a little bonus, here is a timeline snippet of how I became a communications specialist.
This timeline summarises a few highlights from my journey and doesn’t cover everything by any means.
Attend Communicating Mathematics research, Teacher: Justine Jones, Mary Lister McCammon Research Fellowship, Imperial College London (ICL) 2019
Independent study of communication theory
alongside PhD research
(during COVID-19)
Founded Speed Science Symposium for the Aces in STEM network, 2021
Attend Presenting PhD researchers (Foundations and Advanced), Imperial College London
2021-2022
Attend Leiden Science Communication Summer School for training, 2022
Co-teaching Communicating Mathematics Research for MLMC Research Fellowship, ICL 2022 – 2024
Mentoring students, developing and facilitating workshops at ICL, 2022-2024
Present at national and international Conferences and invited seminars including at Hokkaido (2023), Kyoto (2024) and Crete (2024).
Co-organise and Chair an international conference for knowledge exchange and collaboration,
ICL 2024
Be awarded bursaries to attend the BIG Science Communication and Talking Maths in the Public conferences, 2025
Attend 20+ workshops on topics relating to Professional Facilitation; Communicating STEM, Research and Data; Interdisciplinary Projects; Inclusion, and STEM outreach, 2025
Founded the STEM-Improv Network, 2025
Received my Doctorate Award from ICL,
and pursued a fulltime freelance career as a Comms Trainer, Facilitator and Speaker, 2025
2025 onwards, work with Universities, research groups, conference networks, foundations, charities, science festivals, business partners and even comedy groups
Now I do all sorts of fun, impactful facilitation
… and love the work that I am doing!
