International Women & Girls in Science Day celebrates women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). From the climate crisis to pandemics, women around the world are playing vital roles in solving the most pressing issues of our times.
In celebration, we’re hosting a blog series featuring women from across the Heart of the South West‘s STEM sectors. In this blog, we speak to Dr Sam Barrell, deputy CEO of The Francis Crick Institute and formerly the Chief Executive at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton.
Sam studied Medicine at Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School and spent a great deal of her career working in the South West. Sam became Chief Executive at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton in 2015. Before that, she was the Accountable Officer and led the formation of the South Devon and Torbay Clinical Commissioning Group. Sam was awarded a CBE in 2014 for services to healthcare.
The Crick is the largest biomedical research institute under one roof in Europe. Sam said: “Our labs are full of scientists working to understand many different aspects of health and disease. They’re studying the fundamental biology behind all life, from molecules through cells to entire organisms, and from analysis of ancient DNA to tracking the evolution of cancer.
“We are also incredibly proud of our education outreach programme, which helps to improve access to science and scientific careers for local school children. Increasing diversity in science will require action at all levels and career stages, but inspiring future young scientists is an essential first step, so that a career in science can be an aspiration for anyone.”
Sam believes that the development of UK science will require action to increase the number of women in the most senior roles. “Scientific discovery depends on creativity, openness, collaboration and sharing, which is why science and research thrives in an environment where there is diversity of background, of experience, and of thought, and these differences are celebrated”.
We asked Sam if she had any advice for girls and women thinking about pursuing a career in STEM. She said: “Take on work experience and ask as many questions as you can. Look at the amazing variety of jobs on offer – you don’t need to wear a lab coat to work in science!”
Read the rest of the blogs in this series.
Discover more about the Francis Crick Institute.
