Making sure no girl feels excluded from a future in science, a University of West London (UWL) diversity champion is drawing on her own experiences to inspire the next generation of trailblazers.

After building her own career in biomedical science feeling completely unrepresented, Dr Bernadine Idowu is determined to see a change by making sure women and girls have the confidence to go further in their education.

Now a senior lecturer at UWL’s School of Biomedical Sciences, she’s tackling participation head on – acting as a champion for diversity and inclusion in academia, a mentor, and STEM ambassador where she is inspiring young people right across the country.

Not only is her work helping young girls as they decide on their next steps, but builds on the University’s commitment to ensuring access to education for all. 

Speaking ahead of International Day of Women and Girls in Science (Feb 11), Bernadine said:

I was always fascinated by science, but as I got older and began working in research labs I didn’t see anyone who looked like me and that had a big impact. I simply couldn’t understand why there were no black females studying for a PhD or taking part in these huge International conferences.

I realised these women weren’t choosing science as a career because they did not see representation. They didn’t think this was for them and that’s when I set about dismissing the myth that sciences were for a certain type of person.

I decided to be that role model for girls and change things, and to have that message reinforced at UWL where there is so much focus on participation and inclusion just shows how much we can all do to open up the endless possibilities that come from greater education.