In this special International Day of Women and Girls in STEM episode, host Kelly Shungu sits down with three extraordinary conservation scientists from the RSPB who are redefining what it means to do groundbreaking research in some of the world's most remote and challenging environments.

Dr Antje Steinfurth is a penguinologist with over two decades of experience studying seabirds, leading the Gough Island Restoration Project — one of the world's most important seabird breeding site restorations — while working closely with island communities to protect critically endangered Northern Rockhopper penguins in the remote South Atlantic.

Dr Louise Soanes is a Senior Conservation Scientist working across the Caribbean and UK Overseas Territories, where she balances biodiversity protection with climate-smart approaches on low-lying, hurricane-prone islands — navigating both environmental extremes and the challenges of being a woman in remote field environments.

Dr Natasha Constant is a Principal Social Scientist specialising in the human dimensions of conservation across West Africa. She champions participatory methods and local knowledge systems, often as the only female or social scientist in her team, proving that conservation science must include the voices of the communities it serves.

If you've ever wondered what real conservation work looks like beyond the Instagram posts, or how women are leading global STEM research while breaking barriers in male-dominated fields, this conversation will open your eyes.

We dive into:

✨ What a day in the life of a conservation scientist actually looks like — from penguin colonies to tropical forests ✨ How these scientists balance rigorous research with climate change realities and community needs ✨ The unique challenges women face in remote fieldwork and male-dominated STEM environments ✨ Why local knowledge and participatory methods are essential to conservation success ✨ Real stories of conservation wins — from seabird restoration to climate-smart island protection ✨ How their work contributes to closing the gender gap and redefining STEM ✨ One action you can take this week to start or advance a career in STEM or conservation science

Whether you're considering a STEM career, passionate about conservation, or curious about what it takes to do world-changing research in the most challenging environments on Earth, this conversation will inspire you to think differently about both science and impact.

Follow the Women in STEM Podcast:

• Host LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-ann-shungu/
• Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-in-stem-podcast/
• All Links: https://linktr.ee/womeninstem_podcast
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womeninstem_podcast/

What if the future of STEM isn't about choosing between creativity and logic but realising they've always belonged together?

In this special episode, host Kelly Shungu brings you our first-ever live Women in STEM Podcast event — recorded in front of a sold-out audience at Somerset House, London. This panel discussion features three remarkable women who've each been guests on the podcast before, but this time, they're in conversation together.

Joining Kelly are Dr. Sabrya Carim (Editor at Nature Cell Biology, Chair of Springer Nature Muslim Employee Network), İlayda Bakare (Founder of Exhibits, self-taught coder), and Emily Wood (Software Engineering Leader, Code First Girls advocate). Together, they explore creativity, innovation, and unconventional paths in the STEM field.

We dive into:

✨ When creativity becomes essential to solving problems in STEM and why it's not separate from logic

Whether you're considering a STEM career, navigating an unconventional path, or believe that diverse perspectives drive innovation forward, this conversation will remind you that your unique journey is your greatest asset.

This event featured one keynote speaker, a panel discussion, seven hands-on workshops, and was sponsored by Engineering Tomorrow and Girl Dreamer. We have so much more planned for this year!

Follow the Women in STEM Podcast:

• Host LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-ann-shungu/
• Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-in-stem-podcast/
• All Links: https://linktr.ee/womeninstem_podcast
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womeninstem_podcast/

Previous Episodes: Want to dive deeper? Listen to each panellist's individual podcast episode:

Dr. Sabrya Carim: "Is a PhD Right for You?"

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrya-carim/?originalSubdomain=uk

İlayda Bakare: Building Exhibits and Self-Teaching Code

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilayda-bakare/

Emily Wood: Media Representation and Making Tech Accessible

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-wood-software-engineer/

What if refusing to "pick a lane" is exactly what makes you unstoppable?

In this episode, host Kelly Shungu sits down with Fionnghuala "Fig" O'Reilly — systems engineer, NASA Datanaut, first woman of colour to win Miss Universe Ireland, CBS Mission Unstoppable correspondent, Broadway producer, and the youngest Honorary Fellow in the 186-year history of Engineers Ireland.

Fig holds a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering from George Washington University, worked in NASA's data science program, and has flown in zero gravity as an aspiring citizen astronaut. In 2019, she made history by winning Miss Universe Ireland. In 2021, she shattered another ceiling, becoming the youngest Honorary Fellow at Engineers Ireland. And most recently? She made her Broadway producing debut as Co-Producer for the revival of The Wiz.

If you've ever been told you can't be brilliant and beautiful, technical and creative, or that you need to choose between STEM and the arts, Fig's story will prove otherwise.

We dive into:

✨ What a NASA Datanaut actually does and what it feels like to fly in zero gravity

✨ The decision to compete for Miss Universe Ireland as a systems engineer with NASA on her resume

✨ Navigating the "pick a lane" pressure when people can't reconcile all the parts of you

✨ The actual barriers women of colour face in STEM spaces beyond awards and recognition

✨ How systems thinking and engineering connect to producing a Broadway show

✨ What imposter syndrome looks like at the highest levels and how to handle it

✨ One action you can take this week to start building a multifaceted STEM career

Whether you're constantly told to dim one part of yourself to shine in another, or you're about to walk into a room where you'll be the only one who looks like you, this conversation will remind you that you never had to choose. You can be all of who you are.

🎧 Listen now: [Add podcast link]

Follow the Women in STEM Podcast:

• Host LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-ann-shungu/
• Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-in-stem-podcast/
• All Links: https://linktr.ee/womeninstem_podcast
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womeninstem_podcast/

Connect with Fionnghuala "Fig" O'Reilly:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/figoreilly/?hl=en
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/figoreilly/