Kylie Ahern
Trailblazing founder, science publisher and research engagement expert.
Kylie’s vision is to help research and innovation organisations achieve the recognition, trust and support they need to continue their transformative work.
An engaging and thought-provoking speaker driven by a deep passion for STEM, Kylie brings an unparalleled wealth of expertise to her mission. She is a science publisher and strategic consultant with decades of experience helping research, science and technology organisations demonstrate their unique value to industry, government, students, collaborators and funders.
Prior to founding STEM Matters, a top research engagement consultancy, she was co-founder of COSMOS Magazine and a former executive at Nature.
“I want to create a world where the true value of research, in all its diverse, complex and often unexpected forms is recognised, celebrated and nurtured.”
Keynote
Kylie is an experienced speaker who is adept at engaging both technical and non-technical audiences.She is an early pioneer and developer of research impact as a critically important strategic framework for science-heavy organisations, channeling her passion for strategic research engagement into practical, useful talks that draw on decades of experience in the STEM sector. With an accessible, engaging and entertaining approach, her insights have helped 100+ clients accelerate their funding, profile, rankings and influence—and get the recognition they deserve.
Talks and webinars
Kylie and the STEM Matters team have a deep passion for helping research-heavy organisations find their unique value proposition, and develop compelling ways to share it with the world. With an extensive network of journalists, science communicators and technical experts, she is able to curate an experience tailored to your needs and deliver useful, practical guidance on a range of relevant topics—from effective interview techniques when working with researchers to how STEM organisations can transform their research engagement strategy.
Panellist
Kylie is a strong addition to any panel, bringing a quick wit and a pragmatic, real-world oriented approach to any discussion. She has particular strength at bridging the gap between technical and ‘layperson’ audiences, translating between the two to create mutual understanding. She brings a unique combination of storytelling experience, technical knowledge and business chops that is sure to add value to any conversation.
“Working with Kylie was like being enrolled in Chief-Scientist Training Academy.”
—Dr Alan Finkel, former Chief Scientist of Australia
TOPICS
Below is a list of our most popular talks. We are always happy to create a bespoke talk to address your needs! Just fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch.
Research Impact: a transformative toolkit at your fingertips
Publicly-funded research has changed the world for the better—but the majority of people don’t know that. Amidst the ongoing funding crisis, it’s more important than ever that research-heavy organisations connect with their key audiences to demonstrate their unique and frankly incredible value. If they don’t know your impact, why would they support, fund or partner with you?
This Research Impact talk will share insights drawn from decades of experience to help science and innovation organisations engage key audiences with their research impact.
It provides practical guidance on how to build a research impact and engagement strategy that will transform funding, profile, rankings and influence—and make impactful and effective research engagement easy.
Beyond metrics: World-class research engagement
In the world of research, metrics are king. But step outside, and the most commonly-used metrics, like h-indexes and impact factor, become meaningless.
Metrics can’t tell a rich, engaging story about your work and how it’s changed the world. They can’t show government how you’ve helped solve their problems, demonstrate your value to industry partners, or inspire the general public. They can’t explain the importance of fundamental research and knowledge. Only storytelling and narrative can do that. Yet these strategic skills are enormously neglected.
This research impact communication talk provides practical guidance on how to transform your approach to communicating impact. It provides both strategic insight and practical advice for researchers and executives alike to build personal, institutional and sectoral narrative.
Research Impact for Asia: A transformative toolkit
Asia is reshaping the global research landscape, from establishing world-class research hubs, to its universities’ swift climb of international rankings.
Yet despite incredible growth and progress, challenges remain. Asian universities and research organisations often experience difficulty attracting and retaining high-calibre talent from abroad; in establishing and growing international collaborations; and in developing distinct identity and brand on the world stage. Many struggle to communicate their research impact, or tell compelling success stories.
This is where a strong research impact strategy can help. In this tailored talk, we explain how a transformative research engagement strategy can help the Asian research sector build international profile; increase and stabilise rankings; and become top destinations for star talent and thriving centres for the future of research.
HOW TO WIN PRIZES AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE
Science and research-heavy organisations are full of talented, driven people—whether early- or mid-career researchers and educators just beginning to blaze their trail, or later-career leaders who’ve already made a difference in the world. But too often, they are unsung heroes, whose contributions to the world go unnoticed. This loss of profile has an enormous cost: lost promotions, prizes and opportunities.
Despite the importance of building profile, researchers and leaders are often left to figure it out by themselves. This is a significant burden—even seasoned communicators struggle to describe their work, their vision and impact.
Whether it be prizes for individuals or a strategy to build and stabilise rankings, this talk provides clear and practical guidance on how to build your profile and to create a strategic roadmap that will help you achieve your objectives.
GET IN TOUCH
To enquire about booking Kylie to speak - fill in the below or get in touch directly by emailing kylie.ahern@stemmattersagency.com