About
The Short Version (120 words)
Dr Anna Ploszajski is an award-winning materials scientist, author, presenter, comedian and storyteller based in London. She’s a materials generalist, equally fascinated by metals, plastics, ceramics, glasses and substances from the natural world. Her work centres around engaging traditionally underserved audiences with materials science and engineering through storytelling. Having developed her own unique blend of autobiographical scientific storytelling in her first book, Handmade: A Scientist’s Search for Meaning Through Making, she now trains professional researchers and teachers to communicate what they do better, through the study of story. In her spare time, Anna plays the trumpet in a funk and soul covers band and is an ultra-endurance open water swimmer. Oh, and it’s pronounced “Por-shy-ski”.
The medium version (250 words)
Dr Anna Ploszajski is an award-winning materials scientist, writer, presenter, comedian, trainer and storyteller based in London. She has a PhD in Materials Science and identifies as a materials generalist, equally fascinated by merino wool as stainless steel, through all the wonderful metals, plastics, ceramics, glasses and natural substances that make up our material world.
Anna channels this passion by storytelling with materials on the screen, radio, stage and page; her first book, Handmade: A Scientist’s Search for Meaning Through Making, is out now. Anna can often be found London’s pub basements performing stand-up comedy about materials and making. She also frequents science festivals across the country entertaining audiences with demo-packed shows. Anna’s podcast, Handmade, features weekly chats with artists, makers, movers and shakers all with a love of materials.
Having developed her own unique blend of autobiographical and technical science communication, Anna now trains professional scientists, engineers and school teachers in the art of scientific storytelling. She has won numerous prestigious industry awards for her work, including Young Engineer of the Year by the Royal Academy of Engineering, and the Silver Medal from the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3). In 2022 she was made a Fellow of the IOM3, one of the youngest in its history.
In her spare time, Anna plays the trumpet in a funk and soul covers band called Don’t Freak Out and is an ultra-endurance open water swimmer; she swam the English Channel in July 2018. Oh, and it’s pronounced “Por-shy-ski”.
The long version
Representation
Books: Laura Macdougall at United Agents.
Presenting and Digital: Matt Nicholls and Jamie Stockwell
Testimonials
Anna is a true original, an impressive talent. She is a fantastic performer who brings a fresh approach to materials science. Entertaining and enlightening in equal measure.
- Professor Mark Miodownik, materials scientist, writer and broadcaster
Anna is almost unique in the UK; a young woman in engineering who’s accomplished and intelligent but also hilarious, brave and willing to challenge orthodoxies in amazing ways. Oh, and she can do it all on stage too.
- Dr Steve Cross, public engagement professional, consultant, trainer and stand-up