Meet our VIP judges! Our panel of experts will help us decide the next:
- Big Bang UK Young Engineer(s) of the Year, supported by Thales
- Big Bang UK Young Scientist(s) of the Year
- Big Bang UK Young Technologist(s) of the Year, supported by Siemens
Over a week, the finalists in the running for top prizes, will be invited to further judging over a Microsoft Teams video call with a panel of friendly judges.
Say hello below!
Meet the VIP judges
Ainsley Carnarvon
With over a decade of experience, Ainsley is renowned for his adeptness in crafting STEM-focused programs. His extensive international background includes collaborations with the United Nations and the European Union, particularly in advancing STEM education and innovation across the Caribbean. Currently serving as the Digital Education Strategic Programme Manager at the Heart of Midlothian Innovation Centre, Ainsley spearheads the development of novel technology and Innovation programmes and initiatives for Edinburgh's youth, while simultaneously forging career pathways into the tech industry. Committed to inclusivity, Ainsley ensures accessibility for underrepresented groups in STEM, advocating for people of colour, girls, non-binary individuals, and those with additional support needs.
Andy Cowan
Andy Cowan is the current Head Judge for the Engineering project stream of the Big Bang Competition. As a student, Andy competed in the competition himself, winning the title of UK Young Engineer of the Year in 2011. He has since won numerous other prizes and awards in the field of engineering, including from the Royal Academy of Engineering and the publication Electronics Weekly. He was awarded a master's degree in Electronic Engineering from the University of Southampton, and currently works at Chelton Ltd as the Avionics Chief Engineer, developing cutting edge radio and navigation equipment for some of the world's highest performance aircraft.
Helena Dodd
Dr Helena Dodd is the current Head Judge for the Science project stream, after being a South East regional winner in 2012 and a national finalist in 2013. She currently works as a scientific adviser for the UK Civil Service after receiving a PhD in Chemical Biology from Imperial College London in 2023, where she focussed on the design, synthesis and testing of novel nanomaterial-based cancer immunotherapies. Prior to this, she completed two master’s degrees and a gained a variety of research experience both across the public and private sector. Alongside her work, Helena enjoys outreach and science communication activities to support future generations in STEM. Having been involved in the Big Bang Competition for the past 13 years, Helena is constantly inspired by the standard of scientific work presented. Getting to learn about the projects and meet some of the competitors is one of her professional highlights every year.
Alice Goodwin
Alice is a 24/25 Department for Transport Aviation Ambassador and Engineering Manager. As an aviation ambassador she works with the UK government to help deliver a skilled, diverse and sustainable aviation workforce fit to seize the opportunities of the future. She is also a One Young World Ambassador and holds a private pilot licence.
Amber Shand
Amber Shand is a former software engineer turned global speaker and founder of She Bytes Back, a 3,000-strong community supporting people in tech to grow their confidence, visibility, and careers in the AI era. After starting out in engineering at Skyscanner and AMEX, Amber went from quietly contributing in meetings to sharing ideas that caught the attention of senior leaders, a shift that led to more than 70 talks for organisations including Google, Salesforce, and Sage. Through her BRAVE framework, Public Speaking Accelerator, and community events, she now helps technical talent communicate with clarity, advocate for their work, and step into opportunities that shape the future of the industry.
Emily Xu
Emily Xu is a Management Consultant with experience delivering complex transformation and strategy projects across several of the UK’s major engineering and infrastructure programmes. An Imperial College Kingsbury Scholar and Chemical Engineering graduate, she has contributed to high-impact work including Future of Flight initiatives, Heathrow’s £800m Security Programme, organisational design for Connect Plus Services (M25), and British Airways. Emily was named UK Young Scientist of the Year at the Big Bang Fair in 2018 and went on to win international awards at both CASTIC and EUCYS, proudly representing the UK on the global stage. She is passionate about inspiring the next generation of STEM talent.
Jessica Gagen
Jessica is a dynamic graduate of aerospace engineering, an accomplished Miss England and former Miss UK and Miss World Europe. Currently working as a Sales Engineer for a global aerospace company, Jessica possesses a unique blend of technical expertise and public presence. She has been able to leverage her skills and knowledge to break barriers and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers through international media and TV. As an ambassador for the National Numeracy charity, Jessica passionately advocates for improving numeracy skills across the UK. Jessica has successfully collaborated on high-profile social media campaigns with industry giants such as Boeing and the European Space Agency.
Jess Wade
Dr Jess Wade is a Royal Society University Research Fellow and Lecturer in Functional Materials in the Department of Materials at Imperial College London. Her research considers new materials for optoelectronic devices and quantum technologies, with a focus on chiral systems and the identification of strategies to control photon and electron spin. Outside of the lab, Jess is involved with several science communication and outreach initiatives. She is committed to improving diversity in science, both online and offline.
Mark Wood
Mark has worked in the STEM arena for over 25 years, creating project content, in consultative and strategic roles and managing UK Government contracts linking schools and businesses around the skills agenda. He is an active STEM Ambassador and sits on strategic boards for OCR, The Inclusion Collective and EngineeringUK’s Business & Industry Panel. Mark chairs the Manufacturing Technologies Association’s Education and Development Committee, is also a Board Member of the NW3 Maths Hubs and sits on the Royal Society’s Partnership Grants Allocating Panel.
Matt Green
Tiktok sensation Matt Green AKA The Rapping Science Teacher is a TV broadcaster, Author and business owner - famous across the Globe for his edutaining rapping science videos on social media. Content creator Matt, uses his teaching skills to educate and entertain students by releasing weekly 30-second science rap videos with chart topping soundtracks to help them pass their exams. Matt also performs his science raps in a new YouTube series, The Lab Link, where he teams up with other famous creators and celebrities. Matt regularly appears on prime-time television shows both as an expert and performing his acclaimed freestyles and now he is about to publish three revolutionary revision guides set to change the face of learning for future generations featuring his famous raps to help students Rap, Revise, Remember!
Mike Stewart
Mike is a visionary leader in technology with broad market insight across a range of disciplines. He joined Thales in September 2025, with an ambition to support the Group’s ambition to support businesses, organisations and governments in addressing tomorrow’s major technology challenges by developing advanced Defence, Security, Cybersecurity, Digital Identity and Aerospace Solutions in the most sustainable, responsible and ethical manner. A passionate advocate of technology to benefit society, he is a keen external speaker and media spokesperson.
Pacha Pritchard
Pacha Pritchard is an award-winning young engineer and designer studying Sustainable Development and Geographical Sciences at the University of St Andrews. Her work focuses on practical responses to climate change and environmental problems, from city streets to coral reefs. She was named UK Young Engineer of the Year 2024 at The Big Bang Competition for her portable pollution monitor, a low-cost device that measures local air quality and turns the data into simple visual cues that children, parents and teachers can understand at a glance. The idea came from her work in a primary school in a high-pollution area and her belief that communities deserve clear, accessible information about the air they breathe. Her latest project, Time and Tide, is a new concept for a Biorock coral reef system designed to help reefs survive climate change, using modular, self-sufficient structures that work in real ocean conditions to regenerate coral more sustainably, support biodiversity and protect vulnerable marine ecosystems.
Ranita Ariyibi
Ranita is the 2023 UK Young Engineer of the Year. She continues to explore her passion for Technology through her A-level studies and super-curricular activities. She was part of a semi-finalist team in the Student Robotics 2025 competition and is particularly interested in the use of emerging Technology to make society a more equal and accessible place. Ranita is also a Saxophonist and further nurtures her love for music as a member of her local marching band and church choir.