Talk TOPICS
Where Science and Diversity Collide
Feedback
“We all very much enjoyed your presentation and the feedback from everybody was overwhelmingly positive.”
- GSK Winter Party, 2023
Scattering Atoms, Electrons and Perceptions
What STEM taught me about identity, inclusion and belonging
In this talk, I draw on my journey growing up working-class, LGBTQI+ and neurodivergent, alongside my years working in STEM and academia. Moving through environments that often position themselves as objective and meritocratic, I explore how what we notice, value, and overlook shapes both scientific enquiry and human experience.
Through personal stories and professional insight, I examine the realities of navigating systems not built with everyone in mind. I highlight the barriers and the strengths that come with difference, and challenge assumptions about fairness, success, and inclusion.
This talk is about more than identity. It’s about how we interpret the world, who gets recognised within it, and what it takes to build environments where people can genuinely belong.
Audiences take away:
How “objectivity” and perception interact in STEM and beyond
A clearer understanding of intersectionality in real environments
The value of diverse perspectives in innovation and problem-solving
What meaningful inclusion looks like beyond policy
Beyond Lip Service
The reality of belonging in STEM and academia
A data-driven talk combining research and lived insight to challenge assumptions about merit, acces, and belonging in STEM and academia.
STEM and academia are often seen as objective, meritocratic spaces, but the data tells a more complex story.
In this talk, I examine the structural challenges facing underrepresented groups across STEM and academic pathways. Drawing on current research, participation data, and progression statistics, I highlight where disparities emerge; from education and recruitment through to retention and leadership.
Rather than focusing on individual experiences alone, this talk takes a systemic view: identifying patterns, questioning assumptions, and unpacking why well-intentioned initiatives don’t always lead to meaningful change.
The result is a clear, evidence-based exploration of inequality in STEM designed to move conversations beyond awareness toward informed, effective action.
Audiences take away:
The key statistical trends shaping diversity in STEM and academia
Where barriers emerge across the pipeline (entry, progression, retention)
How lived experience aligns with and adds context to the data
Why common interventions often fail to create lasting change
What a more evidence-informed approach to inclusion looks like
Science Talks: From Superconductors to Fusion
A series of engaging, accessible talks on cutting-edge physics and materials science, tailored to a range of audiences.
Alongside my work on equity and inclusion, I deliver a range of science-focused talks drawing on my background in STEM and academia.
These talks explore key areas of modern physics and materials science, such as superconductivity, thin film deposition techniques and fusion, with the goal of making complex ideas accessible without losing scientific depth.
Whether for students, general audiences, or specialist groups, these sessions are designed to spark curiosity, deepen understanding, and connect fundamental science to real-world impact.
Each talk can be adapted in depth and technical level depending on the audience.
Available Topics
Superconductivity:
What superconductors are and why they matter
Real-world applications (energy, transport, technology)
Current challenges and research directions
Thin Film & Deposition Techniques:
How advanced materials are made
Methods such as sputtering, evaporation, and deposition systems
Why fabrication matters in modern technology
Fusion:
The science behind fusion energy
Current approaches and global efforts
Challenges to making fusion viable
General Science / Physics Talks:
Introduction to key concepts in modern science and engineering
Pathways into STEM
The realities of working in scientific research