Petra joined the University in September 2026 as a Research Support Officer within the Demographic
Science Unit (DSU) and the Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science (LCDS). She supports the
Centre’s research, communications and operational activities, working closely with researchers and
the Centre’s Professional Services team. Her responsibilities include supporting the coordination and
delivery of Centre activities, communicating research and outputs to diverse audiences, and
contributing to the Centre’s wider engagement.

Petra has an academic background in biological sciences, having completed an integrated Master’s
degree in Biology at University of Leeds. Prior to joining LCDS, she worked at the Faraday Institution, where she
supported the scientific communication and engagement across a large, multidisciplinary research
network. She has also been involved in science engagement through networks including the
European Science Engagement Association (EUSEA) and the BIG STEM Communicators Network.