Shows
Big Sisters in STEMEqual opportunity, intersectionality and where DOES physics meet philosophy?“Equal opportunity, intersectionality and where DOES physics meet philosophy?" In conversation with UoM VC Prof Duncan Ivison – a bonus episode Following a season filled with big questions, we’re BACK - and this time we’re taking them straight to the top. In this special bonus episode, we sit down with Professor Duncan Ivison (he/him), Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester, to explore what equal opportunity, centering human experience, and intersectionality really mean for the future of STEM and beyond.We are also joined by Season Two Big Sister and exceptionally gifted Physics S...
2025-12-1041 min
Big Sisters in STEMBecoming a leader, choosing engineering, and taking a breakVoted 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. I...
2025-06-1627 min
Big Sisters in STEMState school, hard work, and going for GOLDYou 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...
2025-06-1642 min
Big Sisters in STEMRocks ARE Cool, physics is a team sport, and art is essential in STEMIf 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...
2025-06-1652 min
Big Sisters in STEMSelf-growth, allyship, and learning to ask questionsWhat 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...
2025-04-0235 min
Big Sisters in STEMConfidence, exams, and finding your pathWhen you hear someone say "...and then I ate my words", you know it's going to be a good episode. Joining hosts Jasmine (she/her) and Alice (she/her), Modinat (she/her) and Ashika (she/her) chat about the gift of confidence - a sprinkle of which can be the difference between a B and an A*, it turns out. There's also discourse on getting the energy right - finding that delicate balance between work/home, and who fills your cup - as well as how our guests found their path into this wacky and wonderful industry. That's the...
2025-04-0238 min
Big Sisters in STEMBeing a fangirl, ADHD, and carving your own spacesWhat better way to start season two than with a sprinkle of inspiration? From chasing your dreams, to recognising your strengths, we are joined by two guests who have actually already met. Jari (she/her) was plucked out of a queue at a career event by Tam (she/her) who recognised what it felt like to feel drowned out by louder voices. Tam actually has a picture of this moment on her LinkedIn profile! Today your hosts Jasmine Luby Barrow (she/her) and Alice Stevens (she/her) reunite the two to talk about what it means to refuse to...
2025-04-0237 min
Big Sisters in STEMBig Sisters in STEM S2: TeaserBig 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!
2025-02-1401 min
Big Sisters in STEMMaking an impact, imposter syndrome, and the pressure to conformIt’s our final episode of season one, and we’re going out with a bang! Delving into the dimension of supercars and laundry detergents designed for NASA, Jasmine (she/her) is joined by University of Manchester alumni Ella Podmore MBE (she/her) and Chemical Engineering student Shree Kumaresan (she/her).Challenging the expectation that women in engineering must have been raised with a spanner in their hand, Ella argues that it’s actually a brave choice to remain a “girl’s girl” in a masculine space. Together, we talk about subverting expectations and how it’s okay if you ha...
2024-05-0146 min
Big Sisters in STEMSpeaking up, the climate crisis, and being on the crest of a waveSpeaking out about the things that matter, matters. This week Jasmine is diving into the deep end with Professor of Climate Science and Energy, Alice Larkin (she/her), and Ishita Somwanshi (she/her) a first year Materials Science and Engineering student.When you find yourself riding the crest of a wave, Alice argues it’s important to bring others along with you. Be it in climate science or creating equal opportunities, Alice and Ishita both agree that we can’t change the world by ourselves – it takes a village! From decoding gendered language to reducing shippin...
2024-04-2444 min
Big Sisters in STEMRole models, unlocking creativity, and shedding stereotypesFrom Star Wars to Avatar... you can find pieces of Dr Zahra Montazeri (she/her) and her work throughout some of your favourite films. Today she explains not only how she employs science to create such magical results, but how important it is to believe in your abilities on your journey. From Iran to Turkey, and from California to the UK – Zahra knows talent, hard work, and self-belief can take you anywhere and everywhere.No one knows this better than Cagla Velidedeoglu (she/her) – a final year Civil Engineering student whose journey has already taken her from Turk...
2024-04-1743 min
Big Sisters in STEMBurn out, defying expectations, and curing cancer‘If you’re a creative person that can write well, then science is for you!’ Professor Emma CrosbieOn today’s episode, we’re talking about defying expectations and looking out for yourself while you do. From letting go of the things which no longer serve you, to refusing to let other people hinder your aspirations – in the end, to support others you must learn to support yourself first.You may think things look and sound a little busier than normal, and that’s because they are! This week, Jasmine is joined by three guests, each at differ...
2024-04-1050 min
Big Sisters in STEMCoding IS fun, sustainable fashion, and being the main characterShouldn’t we all be the main character in our own lives? This week Jasmine talks sustainability and finding support systems with two guests – Fashion Business and Technology Lecturer Charlene Gallery (she/her), and final year Computer Science Student Eman Ahsan (she/her).From 3D modelling the shoes on your feet, to using technology to mitigate the need for waste in clothes sampling, Charlene advocates that STEM and the Arts are stronger together. As two worlds collide, Eman shares her own perspective on the rapidly developing tech world and looks out at the possibilities ahead. Expec...
2024-04-0343 min
Big Sisters in STEM‘Little things’ matter, intersectionality, and changing the worldWe begin our journey with two guests aligned in their passion of making a positive impact on our planet, Ciara (she/her) and Vanessa (they/them). Ciara bringing her experience as an Aerospace Systems Lecturer, and Vanessa theirs as an Earth and Environmental Science student. You may be surprised just how much their passions collide, but then again, isn’t bringing different perspectives together what innovating is all about?Joining our Host, Jasmine Luby Barrow (she/her), we talk about how the little things around us can make a big difference when it comes to inspiring the pa...
2024-03-2746 min
2024-03-0402 min