In recognition of International Women’s Day, Life throws the spotlight on women working in exciting STEM jobs in the North East. We caught up with Kate Winter, a research scientist at Northumbria University, who also takes part in Life’s ‘I’m a Scientist’ programme, which gives schoolchildren the opportunity to talk to scientists, share their personal stories of their love of science and how it created career opportunities for them in the field.
I wasn’t really interested in science as a young child and never saw myself as a scientist. I don’t come from a scientific family, and I didn’t find my (older, male) science teachers very relatable.
But I’ve always been interested in the natural world, and it was only when I went to university that I realised that exploration requires scientific understanding! Now I’m interested in science because it answers the questions I have about the natural world.
After leaving school I went straight into a BSc, MSc and then PhD. I haven’t always got A grades or first-class marks, but over time I have realised that’s ok. You don’t need to be the best. There’s room for lots of different people in science.
I’m now a research scientist, although I still love art and try to use art to communicate my scientific findings to others.
My work takes me all around the world and I love exploring new places.
We should encourage more girls and women into science – no one should ever feel excluded from science.
Everything we do involves science. Showing that baking, cycling, and even everyday activities are all rooted in science makes it feel more connected to our lives and far more engaging.