First Flight

Dr Anna Ploszajski is an award-winning materials scientist, writer, presenter, trumpeter, English Channel swimmer, feminist, knitter, walker and dog mum, originally from Bedford, now settled in Walthamstow, East London. She’s a materials generalist; equally fascinated by merino wool as stainless steel, and the stories that these materials tell about us. Her ability to enthuse so publicly about our wonderful material world saw her made a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining in 2022, one of its youngest ever. As an author, Anna’s debut popular science book for adults, Handmade: A Scientist’s Search for Meaning Through Making was published by Bloomsbury Sigma in 2021, and she’s contributed to books for younger readers with Dorling Kindersley; What’s It Made Of? (2025) and First Flight (2026). She can frequently be found on radio, stage and telly, or delivering workshops on storytelling to other scientists and engineers through her business, Storyology Ltd. Oh, and it’s pronounced “Por-shy-ski”.