Professor Sarah McCormack:

That is one of the key things we need to do to. We need to ensure all students have equal access and opportunity in regard not only to STEM but to other subjects as well. Transition year students come to us on workshops and we often hear they have to study physics outside of their own school. It is quite difficult to come from a school where there is not enough interest, but it I about them having that understanding of what physics is and seeing that it is no more difficult than other subjects. Sometimes there is an idea, even going back to primary school, that certain students are not good at maths or science and they might pick biology because they think physics is too difficult. These are misconceptions some people hold but they might not know enough about physics to say whether it is too difficult. Breaking down those biases regarding the subjects is important.

Likewise, in the case of computer science, the mention of algorithms is enough to turn some students off the subject. Explaining to them what an algorithm is and how they are used in everything we do today is important, and it is about getting in early to explain what these subjects are.

We often see the unconscious bias stuff whereby people are waiting on the firefighter to come in. They are expecting men and it turns out to be women, and the little kids are so surprised because they have never seen a woman firefighter before. With these types of things, it is very important that we try to get in as early as possible so they understand the opportunity is there for everyone and it is not just men's career choices and women's career choices.