An Oxford University physics graduate, Kate started out as a computer programmer before joining the BBC as a trainee audio engineer. By the time she completed her training, she was already achieving success in front of the camera as a presenter on Tomorrow’s World, the weekly live primetime TV show on BBC1. However, Kate remains close to her engineering roots. In 2003 she was awarded an MSc in Electronic Communication Systems by the University of Hertfordshire and is currently a doctoral researcher at UCL’s Centre for Engineering Education investigating the disparity in gender balance on engineering courses between different UK universities.

After fronting Tomorrow’s World from 1990 to 1994, Kate went on to host the children’s ITV science progamme ‘Big Bang’, Radio 5 Live’s ‘The Acid Test’ and BBC2’s ‘Museum of Life”.
She also took on the role of President of Young Engineers, working with their network of clubs in schools and colleges.

Kate set up and ran her own after-school STEM club for a local primary school and in 2007 she was awarded Qualified Teacher Status for secondary school maths, later also teaching GCSE and A level physics. In 2010, Kate was appointed National STEM Careers Coordinator where her focus was to enable all young people to be able to make informed STEM subject and career choices.

She now divides her time between keynote presentations, event hosting, conference facilitation and her academic research.