NATALIA JAGIELSKA

Natalia Jagielska PhD, MEarthSci (b. 1997) graduated with a Doctorate in Geosciences, specialising in vertebrate palaeontology, at the University of Edinburgh in 2024. Her team discovered the first named, and to date, best-preserved pterosaur from Scotland (Dearc sgiathanach) to global media interest and academic acclaim (awarded the Edward Forbes Prize in 2024). Natalia's work focuses primarily on functional osteology of vertebrates (notably, pterosaurs) and screening techniques (such as Laser-Stimulated Fluorescence or Synchrotron-Rapid-Scanning X-ray Fluorescence). Dr. Jagielska has a 1st class Integrated Masters (Hons) in Earth Science from the University of Manchester (2019), with thesis focusing on fossil geochemistry. Her research has been presented at global conferences (SVP, EAVP, SVPCA...). Natalia herself delivered lectures and classes on her research at the University of Warsaw, and Charles University Prague among others. And demonstrated on field geological courses at the University of Edinburgh.

Education:

Doctorate (PhD) in Geosciences
The University of Edinburgh (2019 - 2024)

Master of Earth Sciences (MEarthSci) (Hons) 1st class
The University of Manchester (2015 - 2019)

Chinese Language & History
British Council GenerationUK Project
Zhejiang University 浙江大学 (2019)

Employment:

Post-Doctoral Fellow
Chinese University of Hong Kong
香港中文大學 (starting 2025 - 2027)

Engagement & Collections Curator
Lyme Regis Museum (2024 - 2025)

Muzealnik (Museum internship)
Geological Museum of the Polish Geological Institute (2023)

Dr. Jagielska in addition to being a prolific scientist, has a diverse portfolio of work experiences. From industrial internships with British Petroleum (BP) to teaching design and programming with FireTech, and wetland management in Mainland China. Along with training on British-China relations (British Council), Central European Green Energy Sector (EPG Romania), and Leadership (UpRising Leadership; Common Purpose). She has worked in England, Scotland, Poland and mainland China. The industry Natalia is most connected to is the museum sector. Having years of experience in public engagement and curation, from voluntary work at the Bolton Museum (2014-19) to the Manchester Museum (2015-19), culminating in employment at the Museum of Polish Geological Institute (2023) and the role of Collections Curator at the Lyme Regis Museum (2024-2025). Where she was involved in handling loans, preparing exhibition spaces, delivering lectures, writing grant proposals, digitising and facilitating access to collections. Dr. Jagielska has been in charge of organising the largest palaeontological event in Britain, the Lyme Regus Fossil Festival in 2024 and 2025, attracting over 15,000 visitors. Natalia also works as a scientific consultant, providing feedback and guidance for film, tv, books, toys and video games. She was involved with games such as PalaeoPines (winner of The Gamehers Best Game of The Year award) and the upcoming BBC Walking with the Dinosaurs reboot.

Natalia is a digital artist. Illustrating children's books, science journals, covers, logos, apps, and museum exhibitions. Her works have been exhibited in Tokyo as part of the Japanese Dinosaur Art Exhibition (2023). She is a vocal activist for migrant rights, working-class representation and social mobility. Acting as an ambassador for the Manchester Access Program and delivering classes via the Polish Consulate in Edinburgh to migrant communities in Scotland.

Currently based in Dorset, working on the UNESCO Jurassic Coast in England. Moving to Hong Kong (SAR) in 2025.