Centre for Life chief executive wins ASTC award

The chief executive of the International Centre for Life in Newcastle, Linda Conlon, has been honoured with an award in front of many peers from science centres around the world.

At the annual conference for the Association of Science and Technology Centres (ASTC) in Toronto, Linda was presented with the Chair’s Award for Outstanding Achievement.

The ASTC is the global body representing nearly 700 science centres from almost 50 countries. In 2015, Linda became the first woman in Europe to become a chair of the ASTC since the organisation was founded in 1972.

Presenting the award was Guy Labine, the current chair of the ASTC. He highlighted Linda’s service on the board and her dedication to increasing engagement in science and technology to all people.

In her acceptance speech, Linda said: “We live in a world that is shaped increasingly by science and technology and where the pace of change is accelerating.

“We face some daunting challenges – not least amongst them is climate change. Science centres globally have a massive role to play in helping people of all ages and backgrounds to understand better what all of this means for them and their families and friends.

“It has never been more important to work together and harness our collective skills and expertise and, most importantly, the passion that we all have for science engagement, to face these challenges.”

Alastair Balls, chair of the board of trustees at the International Centre for Life, added: “This is a tremendous honour and testament to the high regard in which Linda is held in the global science centre community.”