Frances Dixon

Frances is a communications professional with extensive experience in designing and implementing communication strategies to increase the impact and uptake of environmental research.

She joins York’s research support group providing communications expertise on a number of York-led projects including: GIZ – Air Pollution and Climate Change; iKnowFood and SEI’s City Health and Well-being initiative. In her role, she will also be developing and implementing the York centre’s communication strategy.

Frances has a background in water security and international development. During her studies, she looked at how effective communication can increase stakeholder engagement in environmental initiatives.

She is passionate about the role research communication can play in shaping policy decisions and outcomes. She is especially interested in building the communication capacity of researchers, so the full impact of research can be realised.

Frances enjoys transforming complex information into compelling narratives and using a variety of media and techniques to do this. She is interested in how different creative forms – such as data visualisation, illustration, audio and imagery – can enhance audience engagement and experience. She finds inspiration in the beauty and patterns in nature.

Frances values working in an international environment, for the unique and varied perspectives it brings, and the rewards of collaborating with a common purpose.

She holds an MSc in Water Security and International Development from the University of East Anglia and a BSc in Geography from Aberystwyth University.