Big Sisters in STEM: the new podcast championing comfort, solidarity, and candid conversations

Outreach Research Social responsibility 16th May 2024

Imagine a world where the marginalised minds of STEM – those brilliant individuals that push the boundaries of what we know- are not confined by gender norms or societal expectations. A world where describing their lived experience isn’t the ways in which they’ve been discriminated, but the fascinating projects they’re working on, and the comfort they find in colleague allyship! This is the vision that Big Sisters in STEM has set out to realise. Acting as a pantheon of knowledge, this podcast invites a diverse array of guests—from student engineers to seasoned professionals—to share their stories, challenges, and triumphs, fostering a sense of solidarity and empowerment that transcends boundaries.

While innovation and discovery in STEM often receive glorification, this disquieting truth remains. Systemic barriers continue to muffle the voices and hinder the footsteps of women and non-binary individuals in these spaces. Not only that, but something essential seemed to be missing from mainstream media: a space to openly talk about these lived experiences across disciplines, generations, and perspectives.

Jasmine Luby Barrow, Host of Big Sisters in STEM, navigates each episode with creativity and pragmatism. Through her interactions with current students and academics in STEM fields, many are unaware that even the most successful career individuals and lauded researchers grapple with issues relatable to most of us. From battling self-confidence to learning the art of saying ‘no,’ these challenges are, in fact, universal.

One might assume it’s demoralising to learn that problems like imposter syndrome persist. However, Jasmine believes in flipping the script – instead, using this knowledge as a source of comfort and solidarity. “Knowing you’re not alone in your struggles; that others have walked this path and continue to do so, can be incredibly heartening. It’s a reminder that while the journey in STEM can be daunting, no one needs to walk it alone,” says Jasmine.

Big Sisters in STEM isn’t just about sharing struggles and stories; it’s a platform for advocating intersectionality in STEM, understanding how different aspects of a person’s social and political identities combine to create unique modes of discrimination and privilege. In STEM, this means bringing together people from varied backgrounds, experiences, and specialisms.

Whether it’s tackling climate change, exploring new technology, or striving for medical equality, solutions become more robust and comprehensive when they are informed by a plethora of perspectives. By encouraging intersectionality, the podcast aims to break the often-monolithic perception of the STEM fields. Across six episodes, the guests delve into self-doubt, the value of mentorship, setting-up expectation, and the challenges and rewards of pursuing a career in STEM.

The series kicked off with Ciara McGrath, an Astrodynamics Lecturer, and Vanessa Thai, an Environmental Sciences student, whose shared passion for climate change solutions set the stage for a riveting discussion. Meanwhile, in a later episode, Dr. Zahra Montazeri discusses her work on Disney’sThe Mandalorian and Avatar: The Way of Water, reflecting how Big Sisters in STEM isn’t just about delving into the depths of ‘hard science.’ It also explores romanticising everything, the ‘little things’ in life, and art-related topics, like the behind-the-scenes magic of blockbuster movies.

The series concluded with Dr. Ella Podmore, a Senior Material Engineer for McLaren, and Chemical Engineering student, Shree Kumaresan, discussing the role of early curiosity and diverse problem-solving in shaping their paths. From the importance of self-motivation and navigating male-dominated industries, to conforming to stereotypes and embracing failure as a catalyst for growth, the podcast acts as a vessel to connect people through shared commonalities.

The pair shared this interaction after Shree shared the news about her upcoming workplace placement: “I’m so excited for you going on that journey because you’ll experience this firsthand. The inner confidence and purpose you get after doing something like placement and coming back to uni; you realise that’s why you’re learning what you are,” Ella explains.

“You’ll come back and maybe you’ll have a dissertation topic and maybe you won’t, that doesn’t matter. You will have had that chapter in your life and know if this is something you want, or don’t want, to do. You’ll come back as a better developed engineer, but also having found out so much more about yourself.”

Stream Big Sisters in STEM through Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you find your podcasts. Find Big Sisters in STEM on Instagram for sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes content @bigsistersinstem

Words by Faustina Martha

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