What 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 her toe into industry waters at Cambridge Business Park, we are lucky to have Elle Franks (she/her). Elle's research area is all about improving our telescopes and radio signals from space. Alongside her busy schedule studying and teaching, Elle is an advocate for authentic LGBTQI+ representation and role models, recently filming for the BBC debunking the 'dangers' of EMF blockers.Joining our hosts Jasmine Luby Barrow (she/her) and Alice Stevens (she/her), we talk about everything from 'being a little nosey' to returning to education as a mature student. Site-work, empowerment, finding the right fit on your journey... expect golden advice from the best.So, put your headphones on, grab a coffee and get comfy as we share stories, perspectives, and have a good old laugh while we're at it. You thought you didn’t have sisters to turn to for advice? Oh, yes you do.

When 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 good, the bad, and the ugly.We're joined by Modinat, a first year PhD student in Inorganic Chemistry and the baby of her research peers! She really cares about making her craft (making mirrors sounds pretty much like magic) accessible for others on a global scale with her social media, as well through conversations at the kitchen table with her family.We're lucky enough to have not one, but two fundamental science girlies with us! Ashika (she/her) is a Physics alumni and expert STEM tutor for high-school students all around the world. Aside from getting them the best grades, she is a BIG advocate for emboldening students with critical thinking and a lasting confidence to store in their life-long 'toolkit'.So, put your headphones on, grab a coffee and get comfy as we share stories, perspectives, and have a good old laugh while we're at it. You thought you didn’t have sisters to turn to for advice? Oh, yes you do.

What 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 shrink yourself and how to amplify the things that make your skillset unique at school, university, in your careers, and at home.It can't go without saying how delighted we are to be joined by Tammana Haque (she/her), Lead Data Scientist at Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and University of Manchester (UoM) alum. You could call Tam a master of manifestation, as this is the same person who fangirled over Jaguar as a little girl online. From a young age, she has also always loved Maths (together with her twin sister!) and is passionate about the subject of Maths as one of the best pathways to data science. At JLR, Tam has also set up a 'Women in AI' network and she has recently welcomed her first child, Lana.It is also a total joy to welcome to the show, Jari (she/her) - third year Mechatronics student, winner of UoM Hackathon 2024, and multi-passionate advocate for making de-stigmatising neurodivergence. Specifically, we explore Jari's experiences in STEM leading to, and since her, ADHD diagnosis, and both the challenges and huge strengths in that brings. From appreciation of the arts to pattern recognition - we leave no stone unturned!So, put your headphones on, grab a coffee and get comfy as we share stories, perspectives, and have a good old laugh while we're at it. You thought you didn’t have sisters to turn to for advice? Oh, yes you do.

It’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 haven’t got imposter syndrome all figured out yet… after all, who does?As Shree prepares to enter her industrial placement this Summer, she opens up on how it feels to be intimidated by the idea of entering new spaces, but also excited. It’s all about embracing our evolution – in our education, career, and ourselves!So for the final time this season, put your headphones on, get comfy, and join us as we sit down and share our stories, perspectives, and have a good old laugh too. If you thought you didn’t have sisters to turn to for advice, yes you do.____Follow us on Instagram: @bigsistersinstemWatch the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Cd6_IlETQ2A· About the guestsWhere do we begin when it comes to introducing Ella Podmore MBE (she/her)? Previous IET Woman Engineer of the Year, Senior Materials Engineer at McLaren, MBE holder, and of course, Manchester alum (!) – Ella is virtually famous back here on the campus she once studied at. Today we talk about the cutting-edge work Ella is working on not only as an Engineer, but also in engaging with the wider community and nurturing upcoming young voices in the field too. As we traverse imposter syndrome, being a ‘girl’s girl’ in a traditionally masculine field, and finding your voice, we come to know Ella as both an inspiration and a truly supportive voice.Be it winning writing competitions, learning new languages, or approaching STEM a little differently, Shree Kumaresan (she/her) believes in taking a holistic approach to solving real-world problems. A Chemical Engineering student keen to get started on her fast-approaching industrial placement, it feels like we’ve caught her at an exciting turning point. Jasmine says: ‘It’s immediately clear Shree is driven by a desire to innovate and invent, and she is already doing those things - through combining the problem-solving of maths with the science of chemistry!’

Speaking 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 shipping emissions, this episode is filled with both newsworthy topics and unexpected directions. Join us to learn why it’s so important to speak up for our peers, even when they’re not in the room, and why it’s okay if your journey into STEM hasn’t been a straight line because together, our differences make us stronger. As Alice would say, ‘It isn’t about individuals, it’s about the collective’.So put your headphones on, get comfy, and join us as we sit down and share our stories, perspectives, and have a good old laugh too. If you thought you didn’t have sisters to turn to for advice, yes you do. ____Follow us on Instagram: @bigsistersinstemWatch the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7EsaXJ4hJDwAbout the guestsWhere do we begin introducing Professor Alice Larkin (she/her)? Currently a Professor in Climate Science and Energy Policy at The Tyndall Centre, and previously Head of Engineering here at The University of Manchester,                  Alice has committed her career to making positive change. Be it through advocating for holistic sustainability solutions, or personally changing recruitment methods to use less gendered language, Alice goes above and beyond to create a better future for others. A true changemaker, we couldn’t be more honoured to have her join the Big Sisters community.  As a first year Materials Science and Engineering student at The University of Manchester, Ishita Somwanshi (she/her) might be in her discovery phase, but she’s learning fast. Attracted to Materials in her pursuit to study something interdisciplinary, Ishita is keen to make a big impact and already investigating the sectors responsible for heavy fossil fuel usage, and how her skillset could help to create solutions for these. A scholarship holder with a natural ability for professional public speaking, Jasmine knew she wanted Ishita on the show as soon as they met: ‘Ishita has this ability to look at the big picture and quickly find puzzle pieces within it, which she could fill – watch this space!’.