The driving force behind the podcast, named Big Sisters in STEM, is a recognition of the need for a supportive and inclusive environment where women and non-binary individuals in STEM feel seen and heard.

It explores the challenges, triumphs and experiences of women and non-binary individuals navigating through a traditionally male-dominated field and delves into the complex realities behind living in a society where just being present in the room is often hailed as a milestone achievement.

From grappling with imposter syndrome to the societal pressure to overburden ourselves, the challenges of being the only woman in the classroom and navigating a career while balancing family responsibilities, the podcast unpacks the multifaceted issues that hinder the full participation of underrepresented groups in STEM.

Host and producer Jasmine Luby Barrow (she/her), a Marketing and Recruitment Co-ordinator at Swag直播, said: 鈥淭he idea behind Big Sisters in STEM was really about creating a safe space for women and people who know what it feels like to be othered.

鈥淭he prospective and current students I talk to are so often surprised to hear that successful career people or award-winning researchers still struggle with relatable things like self-confidence or learning how to say 鈥榥o鈥�. While it might be scary to hear that things like imposter syndrome linger on longer than we鈥檇 like, I hope it鈥檚 also heartening for people to know they are not alone, and that together we might be able to better support each other.

鈥淚t鈥檚 somewhere to come together and share experiences and guidance in an open and genuine way 鈥� like sitting down for a 鈥榗uppa with your big sister.

鈥淎s in all areas of education and industry, it鈥檚 so important that STEM becomes more intersectional 鈥� and we talk about that a lot on the podcast. The more perspectives which inform a situation the more well-rounded our solutions will be 鈥� be that in climate change, use of new technology, or medical equality.鈥�

Each episode of the podcast hears from a combination of inspirational academics, industry professionals and students.

Episode one, which will air on Wednesday, 27 March 2024, features (she/her), a Lecturer in Aerospace Systems at the University, who specialises in Astrodynamics and Space Mission Design and in 2021 won the Institute of Engineering and Technology Woman of the Year award.During the episode Ciara shares her own personal experiences, talking about the turning point in her career when someone told her, her work on space was 鈥渇rivolous鈥�. She gives her take on the topic, space as a that can help 鈥渃hange the world鈥� and shares fascinating insight into how satellite technology has a tangible impact on everyday lives on earth.

She said: 鈥淧eople think that space is so far away, but it鈥檚 not. Most of the satellites that we have in space are actually closer to us here in Swag直播 than we are away from Paris.鈥�

Ciara goes on to talk about the lack of understanding around the breadth of engineering and frustration of losing potentially great people from the field through lack of understanding.

She added: 鈥淭here are so many skills that are equally as important in engineering, and we probably lose those along the way鈥� One of the things I talk about with industry partners we work with is how important human factors are. You can engineer the perfect aircraft or spacecraft but accounting for how people are going to behave is really hard 鈥� that鈥檚 where accidents happen, and mistakes are made. We need good communicators, and psychologists, and I worry that we鈥檙e losing those people along the way because people don鈥檛 feel like those are the skills we need in engineering.鈥�

Ciara is joined by Earth and Environmental Sciences student Vannessa Thai (they/them), a first-year Earth and Environmental Sciences Student with a sought-after scholarship at the University.

They said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 a lot of challenge to go through and fight for what you believe in and be heard, especially in spaces where people don鈥檛 look like you or from your background, especially climate engineering where it can feel like an exclusive space.

Other guests throughout the six-week series include Dr Zahra Montazeri (she/her) a Computer Science Lecturer, who is a Computer Graphics specialist and has previously worked with Disney, Pixar, and Dreamworks - on everything from Star Wars to Frozen.

The season also brings conversations with Dr Charlene Gallery (she/her), who talks about her work in the fashion industry, working with new technologies to pioneer more sustainable practices,(she/her), a Professor of Climate Science and Energy Policy at Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, Ella Podmore MBE (she/her) IET Woman of the Year 2020 and Senior Materials Engineer, and (she/her) an inspiring Clinical Academic who focuses on the screening, prevention and early diagnosis of gynaecological cancers.

They are joined with students from a broad range of STEM areas, including civil engineering, computer science, materials science, chemical engineering, biotechnology and medicine.

The first episode of Big Sisters in STEM will launch on Wednesday, 27 March 2024 and will be available on all podcast platforms.

For more information and regular updates, follow the Instagram, or visit the website:

As part of the  campaign, more than 500,000 primary and secondary school pupils will take part in a celebratory event where they will get the chance to ask and explore their own scientific questions, take part in experiments and be inspired into science and engineering.

The national campaign was launched by Swag直播 to elevate the prominence of science in the classroom.

Now in its eighth year, the campaign has seen exponential growth with over 500,000 primary and secondary school pupils signed up to participate this year. Thousands of schools and STEM organisations across the UK and internationally, will be sharing science on 13 June 2023.

Swag直播 will host 30 primary and secondary schools from across Greater Swag直播 in its newly opened

This year鈥檚 theme is Science Around Us 鈥� an idea that provides an opportunity to focus on the important role science has to play in addressing the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development.

The pupils have spent weeks gathering data, analysing, and drawing conclusions about a wide range of questions, including:

• Does the amount of air pollution affect the amount of biodiversity around our school?
• Does the material used for the wing of a glider plane affect the distance it travels?
• Can we identify and classify living things around us?
• Can we stop or slow down the time it takes for the polar ice caps to melt?
• Could reflection of light help tackle climate change?

The event at Swag直播 will be attended by Councillor Yasmine Dar the Lord Mayor of Swag直播, President and Vice-Chancellor of Swag直播 Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, Councillor for Baguley Tracey Rawlins, alongside other local business, and education professionals. The guests will be encouraged to listen and question the pupils about their findings as part of this inclusive and non-competitive event. 

Professor Lynne Bianchi, Campaign Director and Director of the Science and Engineering Education Research Innovation Hub at Swag直播, said: 鈥淲e are always encouraged by the way teachers and educators make the Great Science Share for Schools their own 鈥� and the engagement figures prove that the campaign continues to make a difference across the UK and internationally. Every scientific question a child is able to ask, investigate and share is a question worth listening to 鈥� and each of us has a responsibility to support our younger generations to that.鈥�

 Research states that if children do not develop an identity for STEM before leaving primary school, they are unlikely to be able to do it the older they grow. The events aim to empower children to tell their own scientific stories at a critically influential time - a vital approach to instilling the skills and attitudes towards science from an early age.

Matthew鈥檚 poster on research about the 3D bioprinting of human intervertebral disc models for regenerative medicine will be judged against dozens of other scientists鈥� research in the only national competition of its kind.

Matthew was shortlisted from hundreds of applicants to appear in Parliament.

Matthew said, 鈥淪TEM for Britain is a unique opportunity for early career researchers to meet with politicians and academic experts in celebration of cutting-edge British science. I feel genuinely honoured to have been selected and look forward to discussing the implications of 3D bioprinting and other powerful biotechnologies on future policymaking.鈥�

Stephen Metcalfe MP, Chairman of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee, said:

鈥淭his annual competition is an important date in the parliamentary calendar because it gives MPs an opportunity to speak to a wide range of the country鈥檚 best young researchers. 

鈥淭hese early career engineers, mathematicians and scientists are the architects of our future and STEM for BRITAIN is politicians鈥� best opportunity to meet them and understand their work.鈥�

Matthew鈥檚 research has been entered into the biosciences session of the competition, which will end in a gold, silver and bronze prize-giving ceremony.

Judged by leading academics, each winner will receive a cash prize with a medal for the gold recipient.

The Parliamentary and Scientific Committee runs the event in collaboration with the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Institute of Physics, the Royal Society of Biology, The Physiological Society, the Nutrition Society and the Council for the Mathematical Sciences, with sponsorship from Dyson Ltd, Clay Mathematics Institute, United Kingdom Research and Innovation, Warwick Manufacturing Group, AWE, British In Vitro Diagnostics Association, the Society of Chemical Industry, Institute of Biomedical Science, the Heilbronn Institute for Mathematical Research, and the Biochemical Society