Futures in STEM Programme Coordinator
It’s always rewarding to be able to welcome some of our programme’s former participants to the University and see how they progress through their time here.
A lifelong Science enthusiast, I hold a Bachelor’s in Medical Biochemistry and a Master’s in Medical and Molecular Biosciences. My passion for science extends beyond the lab, driving me to explore its broader impacts through science communication and education outreach. I love sharing knowledge, inspiring curiosity in others, and helping young people see how Science isn’t as scary as it may seem!
Futures in STEM is an online academic and pastoral support programme for underrepresented A-level students who are aspiring to study a STEM subject at university. We provide cohorts of over 120 students with the opportunity to meet with some of Durham University’s own undergraduates, postgraduates and academic staff to learn more about what life is like studying a STEM subject at university. Participants also get an insight into scientific research and activities in Durham Faculty of Science through guest lectures and open day sessions.
Underrepresentation and barriers to Higher Education STEM subjects are national dilemmas that Futures in STEM (and similar widening participation programmes) aims to resolve. We’d like for the programme to allow participants to envision themselves studying a science subject at a top UK University, no matter what their background and circumstances are.
As someone who used to think that Science at University wasn’t really accessible for me, I know that younger me would have loved to be involved in a programme like this! So, my favourite thing about working on the Futures in STEM programme is seeing our participants realise their potential for accessing and succeeding at Higher Education, especially in a STEM subject. Our participants end up in some of the UK’s top-rated Universities – including Durham – and it’s always rewarding to be able to welcome some of our programme’s former participants to the University and see how they progress through their time here.
For the participants, we know that the programme helps them make decisions about the future of their academic journeys, as well as providing them with the tools to succeed in Higher Education if they choose to go to university. For our student mentors, tutors and interns, we see that they also gain key teaching skills and experiences that we hope they can use in their careers once they’ve left university.
We now have a community of over 50 former Futures in STEM participants who are now Durham University undergraduates, 5 of whom are now mentors and interns on the programme!
Learn more about how we work with our communities to make science accessible to all. delivering science programmes, activities and events which build on our excellent research and teaching.
Meet more of the brilliant minds behind our Science Engagement work. Explore the experts making science accessible for all!
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