Claire is an Outreach Fellow in the department. Claire also teaches Mobile Robotics and looks after the Interaction Lab.

Claire was awarded a PhD in Space Robotics in 2006 from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. As part of her research she worked on the Beagle 2 Mars Lander, and took part in many outreach activities including Research Councils UK (RCUK)’s Researchers in Residence programme and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)’s NOISE scheme. Claire even appeared twice on Channel 4’s Scrapheap Challenge Road Show.

Following her PhD Claire managed EPSRC-funded project Walking with Robots. Working with over eight robotics research labs in the UK, the project reached over 80,000 people with events such as

• Robotic Visions; a nationwide programme of five conferences that fostered two-way discussion between young people and robotics researchers;
• a parliamentary seminar on the future of robotics;
• the first UK festival of robotics.

Walking with Robots was awarded the Rooke Medal for the Public Promotion of Engineering by the Royal Academy of Engineering.

In 2010 Claire joined the Bloodhound SSC team.

In 2011 Claire moved to Cheltenham Science Festival to manage FameLab, an international competition to identify, train and mentor researchers and aspiring science communicators wishing to engage public audiences with their work. During this time she worked closely with both the British Council and NASA.

Claire has recognised expertise and experience in both robotics and public engagement; Claire is Chair of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Technical and Professional Network on Robotics and Mechatronics and sits on the IET Design and Production Committee. She is one of the academic coordinators for European Robotics Week. She also reviews Public Engagement grants for the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Wellcome Trust and the Swiss National Science Foundation. Claire’s approach to public engagement is research-led. Her work in this area has been published and presented at international conferences.

Email: c.l.rocks@warwick.ac.uk

Tel: 02476 523802