Women in STEM
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Celebrating women in STEM
Friday, 8 March, 2024This International Women’s Day falls at the start of British Science Week, so to celebrate we’re meeting one inspiring Bath Spa University School of Science alumna, who is not only a woman working in STEM, but also runs her own science-related business.
It’s no secret that historically STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects and careers have been male-saturated. In response, there has been a nationwide push to make STEM subjects more gender inclusive in recent years – with promising results. Between the years 2011 and 2020, the number of women accepted onto full-time STEM undergraduate courses at university increased by 50.1% in the UK.
Bath Spa University also attracts a high number of women students, with 76.3% of current students enrolled on science courses identifying as female or non-binary and the percentage of female or non-binary students graduating is predictably similar at 77.8%.
But what are some of our BSU School of Science alumna doing now?
We spoke to one of our inspiring BSU graduates who works in STEM and even runs her own thriving business.
The multi-talented Natasha Underwood graduated from BSc Biology with a focus on conservation in 2019. She then went on to study an MSc in Environmental Consultancy at Plymouth University and is currently coming to the end of a PhD studying the water quality on the Somerset levels lowland peatlands.
Natasha also has her own ecology dog business with her three trained scent dogs River, Wren and Molly. NHU Ecology and Detection Dogs provides conservation-led freelance ecological services and training classes.
We asked Natasha a few questions about her study and career so far.
Has your Bath Spa University science degree helped you get where you are today? If so, how?
“During my time at Bath Spa, I ensured I took part in ecology practical experience and surveying such as great crested newt surveying. I also took extra courses such as a business module to progress ideas and develop my business plan. The practical elements of the course such as the great crested newt and bat survey experience helped me to gain my first freelance ecology job with FPCR.”
What is it like being a woman working in STEM? Have you found that there have been any challenges or successes?
“I feel like there are more opportunities now for women in STEM, it’s all about being determined and dedicated to get where you want to be by building up practical experience in your chosen scientific field. There are lots more opportunities to build up your CPD (continuing professional development) with online courses, memberships to societies, volunteer training opportunities, gaining licenses, and developing new technology skills (such as GIS, Excel, biodiversity net gain metric, camera equipment etc.) all to make you stand out on application.”
Lastly, do you have any advice for current students who want to follow in your footsteps?
“If you're looking at getting into a PhD program, I would encourage you to read around the topic you're interested in, focus your dissertations on this topic, find something novel you can add to science, and have the passion and resilience to keep researching and developing this topic for a long period of time.
“For business development, research current business in your surrounding areas see what they offer, prices, and reach. Try to fill in gaps in the market where these other businesses may be lacking, so for me there was a lack of scent work trainers in Cornwall with a more holistic approach and coming from more operational style training methods rather than pet dog training.
“For the ecologists, freelancing as an ecologist means you’ll start to reach out around the beginning of the year to local Ecology businesses that might need you on the list to help during the summer months. Get your CV out there and you name down on their lists. When offered work try to make sure you keep yourself free to take the work. If you’re keen and you’re reliable, you will get more work and opportunities.”
If you’d like to learn more about Natasha’s ecology and dog detection business, you can follow her on Instagram or browse our range of science based courses.