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 Sally Basker, CEO of Exeter Science Park, about her journey in STEM and why the sector needs more women.
Sally started her STEM journey when she studied Maths at the University of Nottingham, changing to Civil Engineering after a year, then staying on to do a PhD in Satellite Navigation (GPS). This led to a successful career in the navigation sector working in multiple areas including aviation, maritime, timing and defence, before joining Exeter Science Park in 2017. Since then, Sally has gained an MBA from Henley Business School and held an interim role at the Atomic Energy Authority.
As the CEO of Exeter Science Park, Sally supports innovative STEM companies to deliver extraordinary growth within the Park’s modern buildings, mentoring them and connecting them to the wider innovation ecosystem.
“We are currently creating a strategy to complete the development of Exeter Science Park that will focus on building and meeting the needs of our Science Park community, establishing and strengthening strategic partnerships, becoming an exemplar of environmental sustainability and delivering strong economic benefits to our region.”
Science parks have a significant economic impact on their region in terms of high-value jobs, enhanced productivity and economic growth. Exeter Science Park has grown over the last five years and there are now around 650 people working at the park.
“In the longer term, we expect the Science Park to become an economic anchor for Exeter, East Devon, Devon and the wider region. We expect that around £200m (2021 values) will be spent in the region developing the Park, that the combined turnover at the Park will be greater than £200m, and that about £20m pa will be spent in the local economy.”
We asked Sally what advice she would give to women and girls interested in studying or starting a STEM career. She said: “We live in a fast-changing world with huge challenges. STEM has an important part to play, and being part of the solution gives you the opportunity to change the world around you. Be curious, whether it is trying to count the stars, or investigating the impact of microplastics, or wanting to create more sustainable solutions, or designing vaccines to protect the population.
“STEM needs and values diverse teams of well-qualified, creative and enthusiastic professionals who bring their own perspectives and experiences to solve difficult problems. Ask STEM professionals about their jobs. Choose STEM subjects at school and college to start a fascinating career.”
Read the rest of the blogs in this series.
Discover more about Exeter Science Park.
