Laura Roberts

As a STEM Outreach Officer, encouraging women and girls to study, work, and enjoy STEM subjects is at the heart of what I do. This year’s International Women’s Day theme, Give and Gain, perfectly captures the spirit of my work, because in supporting women in STEM, the exchange is never one-sided. 

One of the most rewarding parts of my role is mentoring and supporting female students studying STEM degrees at USW. When they become STEM Ambassadors and work alongside me delivering outreach activities in local schools and community groups, they are giving back, sharing their knowledge, experiences, and enthusiasm with the next generation. In doing so, they help younger girls see that a future in STEM is possible and achievable. 

But they also gain so much in return. 

Through outreach work, they build confidence, develop communication and leadership skills, and gain valuable professional experience. They grow into role models. They find their voices. They begin to recognise their place in a field that has traditionally been male dominated.

I feel privileged to give these young women opportunities shaped by my own journey. Yet I gain just as much, renewed perspective, fresh ideas, and a deeper appreciation for the importance of diversity in STEM. They challenge me, teach me, and strengthen my belief that a more equal STEM community benefits everyone.  

This International Women’s Day, Give and Gain is more than a theme. It reflects the lived reality of mentorship, collaboration, and shared growth. When women support women in STEM, we all rise and together we build a future where every voice is heard and every talent has the opportunity to thrive.