Cristy Burne

Summary

Cristy Burne is an international science communicator, award-winning author and applied creativity expert with two decades of experience turning complex information into stories and ideas people understand and remember.

She has worked with organisations including CERN, CSIRO, the Australian Museum and Fermilab, written 19 children’s books and worked with audiences across five continents. Known for experiential learning, emotionally intelligent storytelling and a healthy dose of fun, Cristy creates experiences that get people thinking differently — and connecting quickly.

Biography

Cristy Burne is an international science communicator, award-winning author, and big-time marshmallow enthusiast.
With two decades of international success in science communication, applied creativity and future-ready thinking, Cristy is an expert in translating complex information into stories and ideas that people genuinely understand and remember.

A nerdy kid who loved science and reading, Cristy overcame a childhood stutter to earn degrees in biotechnology, science communication and professional communication. She began her career as a science circus performer, went on to become a magazine editor for CSIRO, worked as a technical editor in a biotech patent office in Japan, survived a gangrenous appendix, worked as a freelance writer, then scored an editorial job at CERN in Switzerland, home of the Large Hadron Collider, just in time for the world’s biggest particle accelerator to be switched on for the first time.

Alongside this career, Cristy’s passion for inspiring courage and innovation led her to publishing, where she is the internationally published, award-winning author of 18 children’s books spanning biographies, graphic novels, LEGO, poetry, fantasy and comedy.

Cristy has now lived and worked all over the globe for world-renowned organisations including CERN, Fermilab, CSIRO, Queen Mary University of London, the Australian Museum and World Expo Osaka. Her work has been translated into multiple languages, shortlisted for prestigious awards, and recognised both in Australia and overseas for its originality, creativity and impact.

Cristy is a burst of positivity and energy. She shifts the way people think with experiential events, emotionally intelligent storytelling, science and a huge helping of fun. Think everything from storytelling and science to vacuum cleaners and pocket rockets.

Cristy’s most recent book is One Day Soon, a semi-autobiographical account of her family’s journey with genetic testing for familial motor neurone disease.

Relevant qualifications

2006 Masters – Professional Communication - Deakin University, Victoria (Distinction)

2001 Graduate Diploma – Science Communication - Australian National University, Australian Capital Territory (Distinction)

1997 Bachelor of Science – Biotechnology - Murdoch University, Western Australia (Distinction)

Recent experience

Event speaker: 2025 Whitsunday Voices Festival; 2024 Sydney Writers Festival; 2023 Sydney Writers Festival; 2022 Brisbane Writers Festival; 2019 Whitsunday Voices; 2019 Somerset Storyfest

Children's writer in residence: 2023 Deakin University

Keynote speaker: Warrnambool Storytelling Festival, Victoria

Keynote speaker: Cadence 2025, Professional Speakers of Australia, Brisbane