Celebrating the International Day of Women and Girls in Science: Voices from SMRU Consulting
Posted FEB 2025
To celebrate the recent International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we interviewed three women at SMRU Consulting to learn about their journeys in science. At SMRU Consulting, we are proud to have an incredible group of female scientists who make up over 60% of our team. Among them are Magda, Meadhbh, and Samantha (Sam). Magda is a Senior Scientist, she specializes in modelling the effects of offshore wind construction on marine mammals and understanding population-level consequences of disturbance. Meadhbh, a Project Scientist, analyses acoustic datasets, conducts spatial analysis, and undertakes fieldwork for underwater noise monitoring. Sam, a Principal Scientist, manages research projects, provides technical support, contributes to strategic planning, and mentors junior staff. We spoke with them about their careers, inspirations, and advice for aspiring scientists.
When asked what inspired them to pursue a career in science, all three attributed it to a curiosity about the natural world. Magda was inspired by icons like Jane Goodall and David Attenborough, who show us how amazing the natural world can be. The ever-evolving nature of scientific discovery is appealing to Magda; she likes that there are no absolute truths, we can only make deductions based on the most current data and technology available to us at the time, which affords a flexibility for making mistakes and constantly improving what we do. Meadhbh’s childhood experiences in nature, such as exploring rockpools and being taught how to identify birds, mammals and plants, shaped her passion for marine science. Growing up, Sam had endless questions about animals and biology, which naturally led her toward a career in STEM.
We asked Magda, Meadhbh and Sam what advice they would give to young women and girls interested in STEM careers. Meadhbh emphasized the importance of following your interests, continuously developing your skills, and not letting imposter syndrome hold you back. Similarly, Magda and Sam acknowledged that self-belief isn’t always easy but encourage young women to take initiative, speak up, and don’t listen to any doubt that others may cast on your goals and aspirations. Sam highlighted the value of perseverance, and the importance of finding mentors and positive influences who can help you reach your goals and celebrate your achievements.
When asked what could be done to encourage more women and girls to pursue a career in science, a common theme was to challenge gender biases from an early age. Meadhbh noted that fostering self-belief and curiosity in childhood can have a positive impact on career possibilities later in life. Sam pointed out that while many women do pursue a career in science, retention and representation of women in senior leadership roles remain key challenges. She was optimistic that this was improving with time, and that this will encourage more young women to pursue and stay in science careers.
Finally, we asked what excites them most about the future of their field. Despite the current challenges in marine science and conservation, optimism and hope for the future persist and we at SMRU Consulting are excited to drive positive environmental change. Magda is excited to be part of the green energy transition and Meadhbh is eager to see advancements in acoustic monitoring for marine conservation, while Sam is inspired by the passion and enthusiasm of the next generation of scientists: “When I see the excitement for knowledge and discovery, enthusiasm for science and passion for understanding and conserving the natural world around us in the next generations, paired with the technological developments we’re seeing - the future is looking pretty bright to me.” Couldn’t agree more Sam!
Dr Samantha (Sam) Simmons, radiotracking seals in the field