Emma Timewell
Name Emma Timewell
Current Job Title Mission Communications Manager
Organisation Bioeconomy Science Institute
AWIS Role National Convenor
Academic Background BSc (Hons) Molecular Biology and Genetics, University of East Anglia, UK; PGDip Bioscience Enterprise, University of Auckland; Accreditation in Public Relations
Area Of Science Science communication
My Story
After completing my degree, I realised that, even though I loved science, I wasn't a bench scientist. After a short term contract with Unilever's Toxicology Department, I went to work at a healthcare communications agency in London, in a team that specialised in corporate and financial communications for biotechnology companies. For five years, I worked with mostly drug discovery and medtech companies, increasing profile with their key audiences (investors, potential partners etc). In 2005, I decided that I'd had enough of commuting and moved to New Zealand to check it out! I spent a year as the Communications and Production Manager of a small start up biotech company, then three years as Communications Adviser for Science and Medical & Health Sciences at The University of Auckland. In early 2009, I moved to Plant & Food Research, primarily to raise the profile of the company's science activities, then to the Bioeconomy Science Institute as after it was formed in 2025.
Extra CurricularI'm a keen reader, particularly "trashy" fiction. I'm also the mother of Alex, born in January 2016
Favourite BookThe Godfather, Mario Puzo
Favourite MovieThere's lots - Slipper and the Rose, Ever After, Transformers rank highest (it's an eclectic mix).