British Science Week: "Believe in your dreams"

LJMU welcomed more than 100 girls from schools across the Liverpool City Region for a Making Space event to mark British Science Week.

Celebrating the contribution of women in STEM, the day showcased the work of the National Schools’ Observatory and the Astrophysics Research Institute (ARI) at LJMU.

Guest speakers included PhD students Emily Costello and Rojita Buddhacharya, who both spoke openly about their journey, the barriers they have faced and the challenges they have overcome.

Now into its 10th year, Making Space aims to inspire the next generation to consider a career in STEM.

Making Space is about getting people to think about the need for everyone to belong in STEM and to find career paths in STEM and that it can be a place for everybody. It’s so inspirational to hear the stories behind how people have got to where they are now.

Dr Stacey Habergham-Mawson, project manager at the National Schools’ Observatory

The guest speakers were asked to share their words of encouragement for those schoolgirls in attendance.

Rojita Buddhacharya said: "Do not stop asking questions. Its always good to have a supportive environment around you and people you can confide in. Trust in yourself. Believe in your dreams."

Emily Costello said: "Talk to people. There’s so much imposter syndrome in STEM especially for women. The more you talk about that with your friends, the more you realise that if there are imposters everywhere, are there any imposters at all?"

Find out more about British Science Week.