Celebrating International Day Of Women In Science
Friday 19th Apr 2024
Since I was a little girl, I was always interested in reading about how crimes were solved and the value of evidence in court. For me, I didn’t have the confidence to apply for university until I was older, but I wish I’d done it sooner now. It has been the absolute best thing I have ever done. As well as thoroughly enjoying every aspect of my studies, it has opened doors for me which I never dreamed possible.
I graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Forensic Science in 2018 which was an achievement way beyond my wildest dreams. I sometimes still can’t believe that I am a scientist. It was tough at times but that’s where I learnt the most about myself. I had all this knowledge from self-study as well as my degree and decided I would like to give this away to others. So, with support from my programme leader, I applied to the university’s PGCE programme with a view to becoming a post compulsory teacher in my subject. During this time, whilst studying for a full-time degree, I completed 100 hours of teacher training on the Forensic Science Degree I had graduated from the year before. This felt like such an honour for me and really helped boost my confidence. It also gave me the belief that I had the knowledge and qualities to become a teacher in science. I delivered fingerprinting workshops in local schools, facilitated girls from across North Wales in STEM workshops on campus and joint facilitated anthropology workshops at the Big Bang science event in Venue Cymru. Additionally, I taught on the level 4 Crime Scene Investigation module and led on the level 5 Anatomy and Pathology and Forensic Examination of Human Remains modules.
Within three months of graduating as a teacher, I was employed as a sessional lecturer by Glyndŵr University where I became lead lecturer on the Crime Scene Investigation module. Whilst the university has been closed due to the pandemic, I have been contracted to deliver online content to Forensic Science students on Forensic Pathology, Autopsies and Trauma. I have hope that my teaching career will blossom once again when the current restrictions are lifted.
All of this gave me the confidence to apply for a Master’s degree in Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology, in which I will graduate from at the end of the year. If I hadn’t made that first step to apply for a Forensic Science degree in 2015, none of this would have been possible. I am now a confident, energetic teacher and scientist with so many doors being opened for me because I am a woman who decided to take a chance on science and follow my passion.
There is now more opportunity and support than ever to apply to university with great funding, mentoring and foundation year places. I would recommend it to anyone. The journey I have taken has been lifechanging.
