Savita Willmott

Chief Executive of The Natural History Consortium

Savita Willmott is Chief Executive of The Natural History Consortium, a charitable collaboration of organisations connecting audiences and the natural world. She has been working in informal science and environmental engagement since 2001, including completing an MSc in Science Communication in 2002. Savita is on the board of Conservation Optimism and a range of national and regional committees.

Manifesto

I can genuinely date my desire to work in the informal science learning field (not that I knew that was a career) to the early 90’s when I first stumbled on a ‘gate’ exhibit at the Ontario Science Centre. The AH-HA! moment stuck with me through a degree in chemistry before I started my informal learning career in science centres by doing an MSc at Techniquest. It was a brilliant life “full circle” moment to be tutored by Harry White who I soon found out had created the gate exhibit years before!

I worked for Ecsite-UK for three years (2002-2005) which cemented my support for science centres and museums as vital institutions in our sector and in our cities.

My career has pivoted towards environmental communication and I most often find myself as centres as a visitor. However, having kept in touch with the sector through ongoing partnerships with the ASDC team and a few individual centres, I’m keen to play a closer role in helping secure the long term success of the network.