Q&A with Sue Lyons, Just Content’s STEM Champion

This week, we’re joined by Just Content’s new STEM Champion, Content Services Manager Susan Lyons ! We sat down with Sue to talk about her decades-long career in STEM and editorial, and how it led her to a career at Just Content and a deep passion for STEM.?

Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you became a STEM Champion for Just Content? How do you integrate STEM into your work?

I graduated more years ago than I care to remember with a Physics degree. I worked for the BBC World Service as a studio manager for a year and then started work at CUP as a Desk Editor working on 16–19 Mathematics and SMP 11–16. I was then promoted to be commissioning editor for 16–19 Mathematics, IT, D&T and post-16 Science. I left when I had my daughter because I wanted to train as a primary teacher. I taught for a year, then did part time work as a pre-school assistant manager alongside freelance editorial work. I was freelance for many years before taking a role at a publishing company as a development editor working on materials for the NGSS. Then I saw a job advertised at Just Content and was appointed first as an Editorial Manager, then Senior Content Lead and now Content Services Manager. Much of my work is STEM-related and it was felt that my experience could be used across the company in the Champion role.

How do you balance the technical aspects of STEM with the creative demands of your job?

You can be creative and work with STEM! It isn’t an either/or situation. Think about what’s involved in designing and producing a video game, for example. My work involves making STEM content accessible to as wide a range of readers as possible.?

Can you describe a typical day in your role at Just Content?

I manage a small team so some of my time is taken up with making sure they are OK and able to do what they need to do each week. Otherwise, I can be developing content, reading proofs, managing schedules, meeting with clients – no two days are the same.

What strategies do you use to make complex STEM topics accessible and engaging to a broad audience?

A picture is worth a thousand words. We also make sure the language is as accessible as possible, so we don’t fill a page with technical words without explanation. We try and use relevant examples – for example, when talking about the immune system we will mention vaccines and the huge advances that have been made in technology for producing them.?

What trends do you see emerging in STEM publishing? How do you think technology will shape the future of publishing in the STEM field?

There is an interest in environmental science and sustainability now that wasn’t always there. As research moves on in different fields (vaccines being an example) then we’ll adapt to make sure we stay up to date. We’re also continuing to develop digital content so that learning can be tailored to individuals.

What advice would you give to someone interested in both STEM and publishing?

Get your background in STEM first, then look at publishing.?

What resources (books, websites, courses) would you recommend for someone looking to deepen their knowledge in STEM?

Read articles relating to STEM in newspapers, magazines and so on. Watch good documentaries by established presenters. Keep up to date with developments in a particular field of interest – if you’re interested in space, for example, keep an eye on updates from NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration and European Space Agency - ESA .