This week, Edinburgh will see what is the world’s first and still Europe’s biggest Science Festival celebrating women in STEM (science technology engineering maths) with a large-scale street art trail across 9 locations around the Capital, each devoted to a different female STEM professional whose passion and knowledge contributed to their branch of STEM.
The Trail is a visual representation of Edinburgh Science’s commitment to championing women in science and science communication and the fight against the under-representation of women in STEM and the stereotypes that persist, despite many long-standing initiatives to boost young women’s interest.
Edinburgh Science presents a worthy Festival where no less than 60% of guest speakers are women and the Women in STEM Street Art Trail, supported by Edina Trust, showcases the inspiring achievements of:
Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE (Lothian Street), the youngest girl to complete A-levels in computing at the age of 11, Oxford graduate at 20 and founder of Stemettes, an organisation dedicated to inspiring and supporting young women and non-binary people into STEM careers.
Helen Sherman OBE (Citadel Youth Centre), first British Astronaut who in 1991 flew on a Soyuz rocket up to the Soviet Mir Space Station. During her eight days in space, she conducted medical, agricultural and materials and Earth observation work.
Talat Yaqoob (WHALE Arts), award-winning Scottish campaigner, writer and activist passionate about improving women’s access to STEM subjects and politics.
Natalie Duffield (North Edinburgh Arts), a digital innovator who, following a personal tragedy, decided to not go to university but work and earn – she is now the CEO of InTechnology SmartCitie who provides free WiFi in central Edinburgh, which is a paid for by the company meaning the Council doesn’t have to spend a penny.
Lorna Prendergast (The Space/Broomhouse Hub), a 90-years-old Melbourne University graduate with master’s in ageing who now continues her investigation into the correlation between music and dementia symptom relief via a music therapy trial which started in July 2020.
Dr Aline Finger (Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh), a conservation geneticist and molecular ecologist at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, focusing on the conservation of rare, threatened or important plant species in Scotland.
Dr Helen Senn (Edinburgh Zoo), Head of Conservation and Science at Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS). Overseeing all 23 wild conversation projects and working as a conservation genetics specialist, Helen supports reintroduction projects for critically endangered species, such as the dama gazelle and the addax.
Dr Kathy Sullivan (Dynamic Earth), first American woman to complete a spacewalk (1984, Space Shuttle Challenger), the first woman to travel to the bottom of the ocean (2020, Challenger Deep in the Marian Trench, seven miles below the surface). After the dive, Kathy made a phone call to the International Space Station, marking the two extremes of human exploration.
Zarina Ahmad (Summerhall), climate justice and race equality advocate who has been dedicated to increasing participation and improving funding access for under-represented groups.
The large-scale portraits of these inspiring women have been produced by artists Kerry Wilson and Shona Hardie, the latter being known for her portraits of the late DJ Andy Weatherall and the legendary Leith figure Arthur Williams.
Trust Secretary at Edina Trust Geraldine Marais said “Edina Trust is proud to have sponsored the Edinburgh Science Festival since 2005. Edina’s main aim is to enhance primary science teaching and learning across the UK by supporting schools, science providers, and science festivals. Edina views science as a key part of children’s learning from the start, to make sense of the world we live in, and to provide opportunities to pursue a career in the world of STEM in our ever-changing world. Part of this includes encouraging girls to consider a future in STEM by supporting their learning through hands-on science activities at an early age.”
The Festival’s 2021 line-up features an inspiring line-up of female STEM professionals, authors and explorers from around the world, including such names as Professor Linda Bauld who is an adviser to the Covid-19 Committee of the Scottish Parliament and as a result now a well known face on television; astronautical engineer Cassandra Mercury; 19 year old Mya-Rose Craig who is a prominent British Bangladeshi birder, conservationist and environmentalist whose blog clocked 5 million views; quantum gravity, theoretical physics expert Dr Sonali Mohapatra who is part of the technical team of the upcoming ROKS mission which will be launched in 2022 and Professor Heidi Larson, founder of the Vaccine Confidence Project and the recipient of this year’s prestigious Edinburgh Medal.
The Festival’s entire ambitious Women in STEM programme is dedicated to the memory of Joan Davidson who led Edinburgh Science’s Learning programme for 12 years and stood out for her dedication to inspiring young people to explore, study and develop a lifelong love of science and technology.
Edinburgh Science Festival is in its 33rd edition as it celebrates women in STEM and runs from 26th June till 11th July.
Irene Brown
Radio Summerhall Arts 