Hassun El-Zafar

As CEO of Edinburgh Science, Hassun El-Zafar is working to challenge conventional engagement models and bring science to people in the places, formats, and spaces that matter to them.

This position includes oversight of the Edinburgh Science Festival, the world’s first public celebration of science and technology as a festival, as well as the Careers Hive, Generation Science, and Edinburgh Science Worldwide programmes.

Across all of these initiatives, El-Zafar’s approach is rooted in the belief that audiences should be active participants in science, not simply recipients of information.

“He thinks beyond his own organisation, considering the wider needs and opportunities of the sector as a whole, and is passionate about exploring new models that strengthen the future of science engagement,” says one person who nominated El-Zafar.

“His curiosity, openness, and willingness to innovate make him an exciting voice for the next generation of science centres.”

El-Zafar has spoken on science and society worldwide, from national broadcasts to international festival stages. He previously served as senior producer at the Royal Institution of Great Britain and is a former science teacher.

His work also extends into art, theatre direction and storytelling; for example, his installation HEAR showed at the Southbank Centre in London and explored hearing loss and climate extinction.