Ryan Laird · CMktr MInstP

Science, communication and digital strategy for complex ideas.

I am an astrophysicist, science communicator and strategist working across space, sustainability and technology.

I help organisations, teams and individuals make complex work clearer, more accurate and more useful through communication, digital practice, teaching and collaboration.

Based in Leicester. Working across the UK, Europe and online.

Portrait of Ryan Laird
  • MPhys Astrophysics
  • CMktr Chartered Marketer
  • MInstP Institute of Physics
  • MCIPR Chartered Institute of Public Relations
  • Founder and Director Impact Orbit Co.

How I contribute

From complex work to useful progress.

My work starts in different places: a difficult message, an underused website, a question someone wants to understand or a conversation worth bringing into the open. The routes below describe what I do when I am asked to help.

I plan

Strategic communication

When the subject is technical, contested or still taking shape, the first task is often to create a shared direction. I help teams decide what they need to say, who needs to hear it and how communication can support meaningful progress.

  • Positioning and messaging
  • Communication and content strategy
  • Audience, stakeholder and engagement planning

For: Space, Earth observation, climate, sustainability, science and technology organisations.

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I build

Digital strategy and systems

Useful digital work is not only about a new website. It is about giving people better ways to publish, organise, find, measure and improve the work that already matters.

  • Websites and information architecture
  • Content operations and publishing systems
  • Analytics, workflows and practical automation

For: Teams improving their website, content operations, information architecture, analytics, workflows or automation.

Explore digital strategy and systems

I teach

Teaching and mentoring

Learning works best when it connects knowledge with confidence and practical next steps. I teach scientific subjects, facilitate useful conversations and support people as they develop their own direction.

  • Physics and astronomy tuition
  • Guest teaching, workshops and training
  • One-to-one mentoring and career reflection

For: Students, adult learners, schools, universities, charities, networks and professional teams.

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I contribute

Speaking and collaboration

Some work needs a contributor rather than a consultant: someone who can bring an informed perspective, connect ideas clearly and help a conversation reach the right people.

  • Talks, panels and podcasts
  • Editorial commissions and interviews
  • Research and public-engagement collaboration

For: Event organisers, journalists, editors, universities, public-engagement teams and research collaborators.

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Selected work

Work across science, space and public interest.

A selection of projects spanning communication, Earth observation, sustainability, digital work and public engagement.

Space communications

ESA Business Applications newsletter

My role: Marketing lead, via HE Space

Expanded case study in preparation.

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Earth observation research · National Centre for Earth Observation / University of Leicester · 2008

Calibration of Geostationary Earth Radiation Budget (GERB) FPA

Comprehensive analysis of calibration data from the Geostationary Earth Radiation Budget (GERB) Focal Plane Assembly (FPA) using IDL to derive relative spectral…

Expanded case study in preparation.

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Earth observation and public engagement · 2019

Food Security and Resilience Copernicus Hackathon

A 48-hour collaborative hackathon at the University of Leicester bringing together coders, researchers, scientists, designers and problem-solvers to develop solutions…

Expanded case study in preparation.

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Space technology communications · Bake In Space GmbH · 2017

Bake In Space

Bake In Space was a space-food innovation project developing a safe, low-power system for baking fresh, crumb-free bread aboard the International Space Station. The…

Expanded case study in preparation.

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Atmosphere data and public information · ECMWF · 2018

DiscovAir

Editorial and science-communication work for DiscovAir, a personalised environmental-information service that used Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service data to…

Expanded case study in preparation.

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Public engagement

Leicester Space Week

My role: Runs the festival

Expanded case study in preparation.

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Research and writing

Evidence, explanation and informed perspective.

I write and contribute to research on astrophysics, Earth observation, space sustainability, climate and how science reaches the public.

Latest writingAstronomy software guide

Learning and engagement

Build understanding, confidence and direction.

Support for people and groups who want to understand a subject more deeply, communicate more effectively or think through a useful next step.

One-to-one support

Mentoring

Structured conversations for early- and mid-career professionals, career changers and people exploring space, sustainability, science communication or mission-led digital work.

How mentoring works

For groups and events

Teaching, workshops and talks

Physics and astronomy tuition, guest teaching, workshops and public talks for schools, universities, charities, professional teams and wider communities.

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Organisation-level projects

Impact Orbit Co.

Larger organisation-level projects in strategic communication and digital strategy and systems are delivered through Impact Orbit Co.

This site is the home of my personal practice: research, writing, teaching, mentoring, speaking and selected collaborations.

Visit Impact Orbit Co., opens in a new tab