Fresh Perspectives aims to showcase a variety of inspiring guests working hard within the science (or related) fields to offer their stories, journeys, advice, or words of wisdom.
This week, I was lucky enough to speak to Alice Gray, a welsh STEM blogger, writer and YouTuber, and a highly proactive science enthusiast. Alice has a fantastic and varied online presence, and was one of the first bloggers to interact with me. She has shown herself to be extremely kind and supportive to everyone in the blogger community, as well as being an amazingly creative and unique scientist. Alice is also a serial multi-tasker who is involved in many, many, science communication and outreach activities alongside her day-job.
What made you start your blog and getting involved in STEM equality? Was there a specific event/situation which gave you the push?
In my final year at university, we had to study a module that hoped to develop more conscientious scientists, and it taught students about issues like animal testing, ethics and philosophy. As a liberal student who was really passionate about women’s rights, I was excited to see ‘feminism in science’ was on the list of topics the module would cover. I had never been more excited to go to a four hour lecture, but was left extremely disappointed when this part of the module only took around 30 seconds.
This was a huge issue that I felt students would really benefit from being knowledgeable about, especially as they were about to be embark on a career in science. So, I went home and started my blog to help raise awareness for the issues facing women in STEM. From that, I have gone on to work with government to help shape science policy, work with large STEM organisations like the European Space Agency and the BBC, to raise awareness for the barriers that face women and girls in science, technology, engineering and maths.
Did you always know you what direction you wanted to take in science during your degree, or did you figure this out afterwards?
I had ideas about what I was interested in and essentially followed them. I think that is what is great about science, your career can be shaped by what you find interesting. Before I started university, I liked science in school and was really passionate about art, and found myself drawing a lot of anatomical drawings. So when it came to applying for university, I knew that I was interested in medical science, psychology and anatomical science, so studying biomedical sciences and specialising in neuroscience made sense.
In my final year of university I started volunteering as a STEM Ambassador and discovered that I loved talking about science and capturing people’s interest, as well as blogging - this lead me to science writing and communication. I don’t think I had a planned direction in science, I just followed my interests, and I am lucky enough that I am in an industry that enables you and encourages you to follow your interests.
Why do you think there are such elitist attitudes or expectations in science?
I have often encountered judgement due to my lack of PhD, or have received negative comments because I have left a career in industry for communications.
I think the elitism comes from a traditional view of what scientist is, which is problematic for many reason as it can be sexist, homophobic, racist and classist. In this case, we have a particular view of scientists as researchers, and if someone deviates from this it can be met with trepidation about their legitimacy.
What do you think we (as scientists) could do to change these?
I believe that we need to constantly challenge any industry that we work in, especially when we see so many groups having to face barriers. But I also think this also includes questioning the working culture and challenging attitudes that can be isolating or limiting, to promote cultural change.
There is, or at least I believe there is, a shift in understanding, and I think appreciation for excellent communicators is building, as the industry begins to see that good scientists don’t necessarily explain science well. Therefore we need good science communicators who can engage people with research effectively.
If it wasn’t for these attitudes, would you want a career in academia, or do you feel that yourself and others are pressured into this ‘to be taken seriously’?
I certainly think that we are pressured into postgraduate education to feel like we belong in the industry, but I also think its a symptom of the times. The graduate job market is abysmal, and employers are expecting a lot more from graduates for roles that originally didn't require a PhD, simply due to competition.
You seem to have lots of exciting scicomm projects going on at the moment. How do you balance these with your day job of working in PR and communications?
Between my day job and my blog, I work seven days a week and don’t get much sleep some nights. But I get so much joy and enrichment from it, I wouldn’t change. Also, if it gets to much, I carve out time for myself.
Alice has a fantastic and informative YouTube series, Gray Matter
What stands out most about you (I feel) is your versatility – you’ve worked with the BBC numerous times, published various articles, and even given a TEDx talk! Could you tell us a bit more about these? And how someone interested in going down this route could gain similar experiences?
I have always had a finger in every pie, with interests in art, science, writing and sport, and I think my varied interests and stubborn drive has helped me in this. I have been able to apply my love of talking to people about science to writing, presenting and giving talks, as well as my passion for the cause.
When it comes to importing knowledge for others, you have to carve out your own space, as you want to make yourself different. So don’t try and copy what other science communicators are doing, take inspiration from them, but ultimately if you create a niche for yourself, you can market yourself.
Also, when I left university someone told me about the importance of building a personal brand and I always keep that in mind.
What advice would you give to someone wanting a non-academic science career?
I would give them the same advice I would give someone who wants an academic science career.
When I do science talks, children have asked me why they should study science and I tell them about how science allows you to find something you enjoy and you can just pursue what you enjoy - and I think the same applies for non-academic science careers.
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Its great to hear from Alice about her experiences, and that success as a scientist doesn't only come from having a PhD or research career! I think this makes Alice a great role model for anyone thinking about going down a similar path. Please go check out Alice's blog HERE, and you can also find her on Twitter and YouTube for all things STEM and brain related!
Thanks so much to Alice for being a guest, and thank you for reading. Let me know what you think of this type of post, and also if you are keen to be featured!
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