Becoming a leader, choosing engineering, and taking a break
Voted by popular demand! We're honoured to be joined by the NEW representative for the University of Manchester's Faculty of Science and Engineering... the wonderful Amrit Dhillon (she/her). Elected by her peers, she is basically an MP for her student cohort, championing their interests and getting their voices heard! Amrit has always been a leader. Living in close proximity to Rolls-Royce HQ, she grew up going to 'women in engineering' events with her mum, so STEM has always felt like an option. Raised with her head held high, the unequal gender split at university was shocking. It's unsurprising then, she'll soon be attending meetings with senior staff and hosting 'Faculty Forums' to hear students' POV - determined to make no-one feel left behind.This LEAD MCR role from the Students' Union came at the right time; Amrit shares how she struggles to fit her hobbies into her busy study schedule, and there's an overwhelming number of options to consider post-graduation. With the artistic flair she brings to her engineering solutions, she's more than ready to embark on this new challenge with creative engagement initiatives.We had such an incredible time recording this spotlight episode! You'll definitely want to hear how Amrit's full-time paid role offers a break from her Mechanical Engineering studies, an AMAZING opportunity for personal development and a chance to give others women that unshakeable self-belief.So, put your headphones on, grab a coffee and get comfy as we share stories, perspectives, and have a good old laugh while we're at it. You thought you didn’t have sisters to turn to for advice? Oh, yes you do.
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Rocks ARE Cool, physics is a team sport, and art is essential in STEM
If you didn't guess from this title, geology ROCKS! In this episode, both our guests were captivated by the great outdoors at a very young age, whether it was star-gazing out their bedroom windows or trawling for newts in the garden pond. These childhood dreams became Esther Ndongala's and Natalie Farrell's grown-up realities, and the invisible string which ultimately connected them years later.Natalie is a Geologist based in the Rock Defamation Lab, which is *literally* as cool as it sounds. Her research investigates the effects of fractures on the structural properties of rocks, among other incredible things. Basically, metamorphic rocks are her jam! She became an academic after spending four years in male-dominated industry, and actually completed her PhD while having her first baby! She runs an incredible programme called The Nuffield Scheme, inviting 17-year-olds from low-income local schools into the lab.Meanwhile, Esther has been a gifted student from childhood, and her acceptance onto the Nuffield Scheme by Natalie was foundational in her journey into research at Manchester! She now successfully holds the VERY impressive Cowrie Scholarship, and her love for physics far transcends outdated perceptions of the subject. Unfortunately, Esther feels incredibly under-represented as a black woman in her chosen field; there's less than 10 black students in her cohort of 200, where the gender split is only % women.This episode is one of our favourites. We cover so much, from conference childcare and beautiful rock illustrations, to comparing Albert Einstein to... Troy Bolton (?!)So, put your headphones on, grab a coffee and get comfy as we share stories, perspectives, and have a good old laugh while we're at it. You thought you didn’t have sisters to turn to for advice? Oh, yes you do.CHAPTERS1:45 lt all started that summer (Nuffield Scheme)2:21 The Rock Deformation Lab 2:51 Chemistry of rocks4:00 You're the first person to see what you're seeing6:03 Preparing for a placement7:58 Why I study physics...9:18 Geoscience pathways at Manchester11:41 Meteorites, oh my!15:40 Practical physics18:50 The merit in doing experiments yourself19:34 Representation in academia23:55 New discoveries in physics24:27 Physics is a team sport25:50 Troy bolton and Einstein?27:24 Male dominated fields30:43 The figureheads of physics31:00 Treatment of women in labs31:30 Finding communities in geoscience32:30 Having children in academia33:25 Oil and gas35:00 Sexual harassment in the workplace37:10 Career progression for women in STEM39:55 Becoming a parent during your PhD44:02 Shoutout to Wigan!45:50 'The greatest scientists are artists'46:14 Choosing the right A-Levels47:35 Unconventional science 🌀
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State school, hard work, and going for GOLD
You could rightfully say these two guests are the definition of go-getters. A natural fire burns in their bellies to over-achieve, which is textbook big-sister behaviour. However, we also explore how this is driven by personal circumstance too, and how 'time-poverty' impacts working class students getting into STEM.First off, meet Catherine Sayer. As a 'Draper's 30 Under 30' Fashion Buyer (and Manchester Alumni, ofc), she is nothing if not dedicated. Catherine read the Drapers Magazine list as a undergraduate student, vowing to one day make that roster through hard-work, knowledge of her craft and yielding a 'faking it until you make it' attitude. Now recently crowned alongside industries figureheads like Love Island's Molly-Mae Hague, Catherine is in a whole other league of climbing the career ladder.Meanwhile, let us introduce you to second-year Chemical Engineering student, Aram Ameen, who is not going to shy away from talking about intersectionality in STEM and networks for working-class students! She's President of the 93 Degrees Club (who recently hosted TED, btw?!), which delivers opportunities, spaces and employee connections to state-school educated girls. She's an oldest child AND a big sister - you could just say she's a professional problem solver.We chat to Aram and Catherine about everything: transitioning into Sixth Form, achieving HUGE life goals and learning to swim - not sink - when life gets overwhelming.So, put your headphones on, grab a coffee and get comfy as we share stories, perspectives, and have a good old laugh while we're at it. You thought you didn’t have sisters to turn to for advice? Oh, yes you do.
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Big Sisters in STEM S2: Teaser
Big Sisters in STEM is back! Jasmine returns with new guests, a new studio, and even a new Co-Host... welcoming Season-One co-Producer Alice to the microphone 🎙️Join us as we invite the brightest, most creative minds from the STEM stratosphere to talk everything from ADHD to winning awards!
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Self-growth, allyship, and learning to ask questions
What if you could change things? Break barriers, earn a PhD, be more confident? The good news is, you can. Today we're joined by Researcher Claire Brown (she/her) from The Tyndall Centre for Climate Change, who looks closely at social housing being built in the UK, using climate scenarios to see how our infrastructure might perform in 2050 or even 2080. Claire is also co-chair of the IEMA North West Steering Group, a mum of two, and brings her PhD to an impressive resume built on over 15 years industry experience.Also a working on her PhD after dipping her toe into industry waters at Cambridge Business Park, we are lucky to have Elle Franks (she/her). Elle's research area is all about improving our telescopes and radio signals from space. Alongside her busy schedule studying and teaching, Elle is an advocate for authentic LGBTQI+ representation and role models, recently filming for the BBC debunking the 'dangers' of EMF blockers.Joining our hosts Jasmine Luby Barrow (she/her) and Alice Stevens (she/her), we talk about everything from 'being a little nosey' to returning to education as a mature student. Site-work, empowerment, finding the right fit on your journey... expect golden advice from the best.So, put your headphones on, grab a coffee and get comfy as we share stories, perspectives, and have a good old laugh while we're at it. You thought you didn’t have sisters to turn to for advice? Oh, yes you do.
Who gets to decide where you belong? Which subjects to study, what university to go to, or how to choose your path? It should be you - and only you - but the reality can be more complicated than that.
The University of Manchester’s Number One Podcast has returned with an elevated sense-of-self and a new line up of experts, ready to bring topical issues into the hot seat. From ADHD, confidence and fan-girling, to self-growth, 'getting it wrong' and being a better trans ally - we're not afraid to get deep into these (sometimes uncomfortable) conversations.
This season looks a little different, with Jasmine Luby Barrow (she/her) joined by Co-Producer Alice Stevens (she/her) - together inviting a total of eleven phenomenal guests from across the STEM sphere to share their experiences, advice, and take the mic. Platforming the voices of women and marginalised groups of all ages and walks of life, you'll hear from university students, researchers, and industry experts as we discuss everything from choosing your A-Levels to fighting the entrenched class system.
UK