My passion for equality and inclusion in STEM began with my own experiences. During my time studying for a Masters in the 1990s, I was the only woman among 40 students. There were not many female academics and fewer than 1% of attendees at the conferences I attended were women. Don’t get me started on the poor attitudes.

Since 1999 I’ve been a pioneering force for evidence and data-informed change in diversity and inclusion in STEM. I believe in more than breaking barriers alone. It’s about each person contributing to an environment where everyone can be their best, every day.

I have led transformative projects such as the first PPE for women campaign in the UK and Different Women, Different Places, which explored the lives of black women in leadership. I was recognised as a leading advocate for inclusion in the workplace with an MBE for Services to Women and Engineering in the 2017 Honours List.