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Women In STEM Podcast

Women In STEM Podcast

Hosted by Kelly Shungu

CareersScienceInterviews guests
WebsiteRSS feedLinkedInInstagram

Episodes

85

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN

About the show

🎙️ Welcome to the Women In STEM Podcast! 🎙️ Dedicated to amplifying the voices of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, our podcast features a diverse lineup of incredible speakers from around the globe. 🌍✨Join us as we dive into a wide array of topics, from career advancement to balancing motherhood and a STEM career. 💼 Get ready for insightful discussions and inspiring stories that will motivate and empower you! 🔬 🔗 For more information and updates, follow us on Instagram and Twitter @womeninstem_podcast, and connect with us on LinkedIn at "Women In STEM Podcast." All the links you need - https://linktr.ee/womeninstem_podcast Intstgram - https://www.instagram.com/womeninstem_podcast/ New Linkedin page - https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-in-stem-podcast

Listen to episodes

60 recent
October 19, 202624 min

Who Gets to Shape the Future of Engineering?

Engineering is changing fast. But who gets to shape what comes next? In this episode of Women in STEM, host and producer Kelly Shungu is joined by Dr Nike Folayan MBE (CEng, FIET), Co-founder of AFBE-UK, the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers UK, and a long-standing advocate for representation and progression in engineering. Nike shares her journey into STEM, the moments that shaped her, and what getting in really looked like. We talk about why representation at entry level isn't enough on its own, what actually helps women progress into leadership, and what organisations can do to create environments where women stay and rise. We also look ahead. With AI and emerging technologies reshaping the industry, where are the opportunities for women, and how do we stop existing inequalities from being carried into new roles and industries? This conversation connects to AFBELive 2026, AFBE-UK's flagship engineering conference, taking place in Birmingham on Friday 30 October under the theme "The Future of Engineering: From Access to Equity." Stay to the end for Nike's advice on what the next generation of women in STEM should be thinking about right now. 💜 🎧 Part of our Black History Month series celebrating Black women in STEM. Listen to the podcast: https://rss.com/podcasts/womeninstem/ Follow the podcast social media: https://linktr.ee/womeninstem_podcast Nike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikefolayan/ Learn more about AFBELive: AFBELive.com

October 12, 202622 min

From Law to Tech: The Non-Traditional Way Into Tech

She studied law, but her future was in technology, and there was no traditional route to follow. In this Black History Month episode, host Kelly Shungu is joined by Ama Annan-Fru, an Infrastructure Transformation Specialist and Inclusion & Diversity Lead at Accenture. Ama made the move from law into tech through self-learning, perseverance and a willingness to step outside the expected path. Today, she helps organisations turn complex business challenges into scalable technology solutions. Ama shares what that transition really looked like, including the moments of self-doubt. She talks about growing up with values of resilience, determination and excellence, and how her mother's journey from experiencing racism in Liverpool to becoming a Chief Auditor shaped the way she sees challenges and representation. We also talk about navigating tech as a Black woman and what meaningful inclusion looks like beyond having diverse people in the room. Through mentoring, speaking, and her work with Bridging Barriers, Ama is opening doors for the next generation of Black women in technology. She is also a two-time Black Tech Fest finalist and an Inspirational Woman of the Year finalist. Stay to the end for her advice to anyone who wants to move into STEM but doesn't have the "traditional" background. 💜 Podcast Links : Link to podcast: https://rss.com/podcasts/womeninstem/ Podcast social media link: https://linktr.ee/womeninstem_podcast Ama Social media: Instagram: 4m4.fruit LinkedIn: Ama Annan

October 5, 202619 min

Never Too Young : Building a Space Where Girls Belonging & Breaking Barriers - Black History Month Series

She was 10 years old when she saw a problem, and her mum helped her build the solution. To open our Black History Month series, I sit down with Avye Couloute and Hélène Virolan, the mother-and-daughter team behind Girls Into Coding. I'm Kelly Shungu , and in this episode Avye and Hélène share how it all began: Avye started the organisation after noticing that most of the young people at the tech workshops she ran were boys. Eight years on, they've reached over 20,000 girls across the UK. Together, they talk about the moment an idea became something bigger, what it's like to build an organisation as a family, and what representation really means as Black women in STEM. They also share why girls need more than a pep talk to thrive in tech: they need spaces where they truly belong. Avye is a Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree and UK Young Engineer of the Year. Hélène brings business and strategy expertise as a Director of Girls Into Coding. Stay to the end for their message to every young Black girl who loves technology but isn't sure she belongs. 💜 🎧 Part of our Black History Month series celebrating Black women in STEM, hosted & produced by Kelly Shungu. Follow the Women in STEM Podcast: Podcast Founder LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-ann-shungu/ Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-in-stem-podcast/ All Links: https://linktr.ee/womeninstem_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womeninstem_podcast/ Social media: Website: https://www.girlsintocoding.com/ LinkedIn (GIC): https://www.linkedin.com/company/girls-into-coding/ LinkedIn (Avye): https://www.linkedin.com/in/avye-couloute LinkedIn (Helene): www.linkedin.com/in/hélène-virolan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girls_into_coding/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/girlsintocoding Learn more: girlsintocoding.com | @girls_into_coding

April 27, 202618 min

Racing, Engineering & Breaking Barriers with Sonya Lloyd

In this episode of the Women in STEM Podcast, Kelly Shungu sits down with Sonya Lloyd, professional motorcycle racer, biological engineer, and Technical Marketing LDP at Siemens Digital Industries, for a conversation that will completely rewire how you think about what a STEM career can look like. Sonya doesn't fit neatly into any one box. She graduated with a degree in Biological Engineering from the University of Georgia in 2024, competed in the 2025 FIM Women's World Circuit Racing Championship, and is now preparing for the 2026 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Championship on the Factory Suzuki team, all while working full-time in tech. Her story isn't just inspiring. It's proof that passion, data, and sheer determination don't belong in separate lanes. In this episode, we get into: ✨ How a Biological Engineering degree shows up on the racetrack from data and telemetry to race strategy ✨ What it's really like navigating two male-dominated worlds: STEM and professional motorsport ✨ Sonya's journey from university to Siemens Digital Industries and why the path was anything but linear ✨ What the FIM Women's World Circuit Racing Championship means for the future of women in motorsport ✨ How Sonya manages a full-time tech career alongside international racing ✨ The unexpected ways tech and racing feed directly into each other ✨ What she'd say to any young woman sitting at the crossroads between passion and practicality Whether you're a STEM student wondering if your interests are too scattered, a woman navigating a male-dominated industry, or simply someone who needs reminding that there are no rules on what your career can look like, Sonya's story will push you to go faster. Follow the Women in STEM Podcast: Podcast Founder LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-ann-shungu/ Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-in-stem-podcast/ All Links: https://linktr.ee/womeninstem_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womeninstem_podcast/ Podcast hosted & edited by Kelly Shungu Podcast edited by Erza Bajskolli

April 13, 202623 min

Wearable Tech That Saves Lives: Inside the Future of Respiratory Care Featuring Sharon Samjitsingh

Sharon Samjitsingh is not your average tech founder. She was named TechRochester's Technology Woman of the Year in 2020, counts herself among the Top 100 Women in FemTech and HealthTech, and has built a company dedicated to transforming how we manage respiratory disease, one wearable at a time. In this special episode, guest host Erza Bajskolli sits down with Sharon to explore how Health Care Originals is closing the gaps traditional healthcare has left wide open. Sharon shares the story behind ADAMM, their groundbreaking respiratory wearable, and the Nightingale service that supports patients in real time. She also gets candid about the economics of chronic illness, the unique strengths women bring to health innovation, and what the next decade of wearable tech could mean for the millions living with asthma and COPD. This one will make you rethink what it really means to build technology that puts patients first. Follow the Women in STEM Podcast: Podcast Founder LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-ann-shungu/ Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-in-stem-podcast/ All Links: https://linktr.ee/womeninstem_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womeninstem_podcast/ Founded and produced by Kelly Shungu . Guest hosted by Erza Bajskolli. Episode edited by Erza Bajskolli.

April 7, 202624 min

The Physicist Who Chose People Over Particles

Dr. Claire Malone is not your average physicist. She completed her PhD at the University of Cambridge, hunting for supersymmetric particles at CERN's ATLAS experiment, has met Stephen Hawking, and has since built a career dedicated to making science work for everyone, not just the few. Kelly Shungu sits down with Claire for one of the most thought-provoking conversations we've had on the show. Claire opens up about why she walked away from research after her PhD, how she navigated academia with cerebral palsy, and why AI is reshaping who gets a seat at the science table. She also introduces the idea of the "Culture of Speed" and makes a compelling case for why it might be the single biggest barrier holding STEM back. This one will make you rethink what success in science is actually supposed to look like. Resources Mentioned: Dr. Claire Malone's website: www.doctorclairemalonecom Course: AI with Insight The Lightyear Foundation Follow the Women in STEM Podcast: Host LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-ann-shungu/ Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-in-stem-podcast/ All Links: https://linktr.ee/womeninstem_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womeninstem_podcast/ Hosted and founded by Kelly Shungu. Episode edited by Erza Bajskolli.

March 30, 202623 min

Building Ethical AI in Finance

In this episode, host Kelly Shungu sits down with Rachel Kirkham, CTO at MindBridge, whose career path took her from ACA-qualified chartered accountant and Head of Data Analytics at the UK National Audit Office to leading cutting-edge AI innovation in financial risk intelligence, and she's never looked back. Rachel is a founding member of R-Ladies Global, a passionate advocate for women in technology, and a recognised voice in the world of ethical, explainable AI for regulated industries. She brings a rare combination of deep financial expertise and technical leadership to one of the most consequential questions in modern AI: how do we build systems we can actually trust? If you've ever wondered how AI is transforming the way auditors and financial institutions detect risk or how women can break through systemic barriers to reach the top of STEM and tech leadership, this conversation will change the way you think about both. Check Out Women In STEM Podcast New LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-in-stem-podcast/ https://linktr.ee/womeninstem_podcast We dive into: ✨ How Rachel made the leap from chartered accountancy to leading AI product strategy at a global tech company ✨ What it really means to build ethical, explainable AI in a heavily regulated industry ✨ The ideal human + AI collaboration in financial risk analytics — and when it genuinely surprises even the experts ✨ The persistent barriers facing women in STEM and what organisations can actually do to dismantle them ✨ Rachel's experience as a founding member of R-Ladies Global and why community matters in tech ✨ How to tackle imposter syndrome in male-dominated leadership spaces ✨ Where AI in auditing and financial risk is heading in the next 5–10 years ✨ One action you can take this week to start building confidence and competence in AI or data science Whether you're an aspiring data scientist, a finance professional curious about AI, or a woman navigating your own path in STEM leadership, Rachel's story is proof that unconventional career journeys can lead to the most extraordinary places. Follow the Women in STEM Podcast: Host LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-ann-shungu/ Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-in-stem-podcast/ All Links: https://linktr.ee/womeninstem_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womeninstem_podcast/

February 9, 202635 min

International Day of Women and Girls in STEM: From Vision to Impact – Redefining STEM by Closing the Gender Gap with Three RSPB Conservation Scientists

In this special International Day of Women and Girls in STEM episode, host Kelly Shungu sits down with three extraordinary conservation scientists from the RSPB who are redefining what it means to do groundbreaking research in some of the world's most remote and challenging environments. Dr Antje Steinfurth is a penguinologist with over two decades of experience studying seabirds, leading the Gough Island Restoration Project — one of the world's most important seabird breeding site restorations — while working closely with island communities to protect critically endangered Northern Rockhopper penguins in the remote South Atlantic. Dr Louise Soanes is a Senior Conservation Scientist working across the Caribbean and UK Overseas Territories, where she balances biodiversity protection with climate-smart approaches on low-lying, hurricane-prone islands — navigating both environmental extremes and the challenges of being a woman in remote field environments. Dr Natasha Constant is a Principal Social Scientist specialising in the human dimensions of conservation across West Africa. She champions participatory methods and local knowledge systems, If you've ever wondered what real conservation work looks like beyond the Instagram posts, or how women are leading global STEM research while breaking barriers in male-dominated fields, this conversation will open your eyes. We dive into: ✨ What a day in the life of a conservation scientist actually looks like — from penguin colonies to tropical forests ✨ How these scientists balance rigorous research with climate change realities and community needs ✨ The unique challenges women face in remote fieldwork and male-dominated STEM environments ✨ Why local knowledge and participatory methods are essential to conservation success ✨ Real stories of conservation wins — from seabird restoration to climate-smart island protection ✨ How their work contributes to closing the gender gap and redefining STEM ✨ One action you can take this week to start or advance a career in STEM or conservation science Whether you're considering a STEM career, passionate about conservation, or curious about what it takes to do world-changing research in the most challenging environments on Earth, this conversation will inspire you to think differently about both science and impact. Follow the Women in STEM Podcast: Host LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-ann-shungu/ Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-in-stem-podcast/ All Links: https://linktr.ee/womeninstem_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womeninstem_podcast/

January 19, 202627 min

Live from Somerset House: Celebrating Creativity & Innovation in STEM

What if the future of STEM isn't about choosing between creativity and logic but realising they've always belonged together? In this special episode, host Kelly Shungu brings you our first-ever live Women in STEM Podcast event — recorded in front of a sold-out audience at Somerset House, London. This panel discussion features three remarkable women who've each been guests on the podcast before, but this time, they're in conversation together. Joining Kelly are Dr. Sabrya Carim (Editor at Nature Cell Biology, Chair of Springer Nature Muslim Employee Network), İlayda Bakare (Founder of Exhibits, self-taught coder), and Emily Wood (Software Engineering Leader, Code First Girls advocate). Together, they explore creativity, innovation, and unconventional paths in the STEM field. We dive into: ✨ When creativity becomes essential to solving problems in STEM and why it's not separate from logic Whether you're considering a STEM career, navigating an unconventional path, or believe that diverse perspectives drive innovation forward, this conversation will remind you that your unique journey is your greatest asset. This event featured one keynote speaker, a panel discussion, seven hands-on workshops, and was sponsored by Engineering Tomorrow and Girl Dreamer. We have so much more planned for this year! Follow the Women in STEM Podcast: Host LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-ann-shungu/ Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-in-stem-podcast/ All Links: https://linktr.ee/womeninstem_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womeninstem_podcast/ Previous Episodes: Want to dive deeper? Listen to each panellist's individual podcast episode: Dr. Sabrya Carim: "Is a PhD Right for You?" LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrya-carim/?originalSubdomain=uk İlayda Bakare: Building Exhibits and Self-Teaching Code LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilayda-bakare/ Emily Wood: Media Representation and Making Tech Accessible LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-wood-software-engineer/

January 12, 202625 min

From NASA to Miss Universe Ireland: Refusing to Pick a Lane & Redefining STEM

What if refusing to "pick a lane" is exactly what makes you unstoppable? In this episode, host Kelly Shungu sits down with Fionnghuala "Fig" O'Reilly — systems engineer, NASA Datanaut, first woman of colour to win Miss Universe Ireland, CBS Mission Unstoppable correspondent, Broadway producer, and the youngest Honorary Fellow in the 186-year history of Engineers Ireland. Fig holds a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering from George Washington University, worked in NASA's data science program, and has flown in zero gravity as an aspiring citizen astronaut. In 2019, she made history by winning Miss Universe Ireland. In 2021, she shattered another ceiling, becoming the youngest Honorary Fellow at Engineers Ireland. And most recently? She made her Broadway producing debut as Co-Producer for the revival of The Wiz. If you've ever been told you can't be brilliant and beautiful, technical and creative, or that you need to choose between STEM and the arts, Fig's story will prove otherwise. We dive into: ✨ What a NASA Datanaut actually does and what it feels like to fly in zero gravity ✨ The decision to compete for Miss Universe Ireland as a systems engineer with NASA on her resume ✨ Navigating the "pick a lane" pressure when people can't reconcile all the parts of you ✨ The actual barriers women of colour face in STEM spaces beyond awards and recognition ✨ How systems thinking and engineering connect to producing a Broadway show ✨ What imposter syndrome looks like at the highest levels and how to handle it ✨ One action you can take this week to start building a multifaceted STEM career Whether you're constantly told to dim one part of yourself to shine in another, or you're about to walk into a room where you'll be the only one who looks like you, this conversation will remind you that you never had to choose. You can be all of who you are. 🎧 Listen now: https://rss.com/podcasts/womeninstem/ Follow the Women in STEM Podcast: Host LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-ann-shungu/ Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-in-stem-podcast/ All Links: https://linktr.ee/womeninstem_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womeninstem_podcast/ Connect with Fionnghuala "Fig" O'Reilly: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/figoreilly/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/figoreilly/

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