Alice May Roberts was born on 19 May 1973 in Bristol, England. She is the daughter of an aeronautical engineer and an arts teacher, and grew up in Westbury-on-Trym.

She studied medicine at the University of Wales College of Medicine, graduating in 1997, and later specialised in anatomy and palaeopathology. She worked as a junior doctor before moving into academia and teaching anatomy at the University of Bristol.

Roberts began her television career in 2001 as a bone specialist on Time Team. She went on to present numerous BBC science and history programmes and became widely known for hosting Digging for Britain, which airs on BBC Two and focuses on archaeological discoveries across the UK.

Since 2012, she has been Professor of Public Engagement with Science at the University of Birmingham. She is also a bestselling author and science communicator.

Roberts lives near Bristol with her husband, David and children, balancing academic work, broadcasting, and writing.