Celebrating STEM Stories
At the Lightyear Foundation, we believe that everybody belongs in the world of STEM, and that representation matters.
Our Celebrating STEM Stories programme showcases disabled and neurodivergent people who work in or study STEM subjects, use STEM in their everyday lives, or just have a passion for what STEM can offer.
We are building a community where every disabled and neurodivergent person feels welcome to join the world of STEM, and to be a role model for others. We hope you enjoy exploring the written and video profiles below.
If you have any questions about the programme please contact hannah@lightyearfoundation.org.
If you are a teacher
These profiles are designed to inspire and empower disabled and neurodivergent young people by showcasing real stories and diverse pathways into STEM.
Teachers tell us that they share them in lessons, science clubs and assemblies, inspiring their students to overcome barriers and to imagine what's possible for them in STEM.
Some of our profiles have been turned into printable resources, which you can find in our STEM Inspiration Packs.
Becoming a role model
As a STEM role model, you'll be featured in a short written or video profile sharing your personal journey with science, technology, engineering or maths.
The format will be decided by the Lightyear Foundation based on available resources, but all profiles aim to capture your story in an authentic and accessible way.
We aim to:
Feature a variety of disabilities, both visible and hidden (including those who identify as disabled without a formal diagnosis).
Highlight and value intersectional experiences.
Represent STEM in its broadest sense, and highlight a variety of routes into STEM (including T-levels, apprenticeships, entry level roles, etc).
If you are interested in being featured, please complete this short survey.
“These role model videos are fantastic and exactly the kind of thing I could use to broaden our student's horizons and raise aspirations.”
Teacher, 2024
“As someone who's had what I'd call a squiggly career into STEM, I think it's important to challenge the idea that you need a PhD in mathematics to make an impact. STEM careers come in all shapes and sizes, and there's so much room for curious minds, problem-solvers, and innovators from every background. “
Claire Given, 2024 STEM role model
Ethan, Izzy, James, Kieran, Louis, Luke, and Poppy
Students from The Oaks Specialist College
Animesh Anand
Job Title: Engineering Academic Tutor at the University of Sheffield AMRC Training Center.
Disability: Autism & ADHD
Lara Ayris
Job Title: Managing Director of WPS Compliance Consulting Ltd
Disability: Autistic and Irlen Syndrome
Chris Baily
Job Title: Research Scientist for Servomex
Disability: Visually impaired, living with the degenerative eye condition Retinitis Pigmentosa
Dr Hannah Barham-Brown
Job Title: Doctor, Speaker, Disability and Gender Campaigner.
Disability: Ehlers Danlos Syndrome with Dysautonomia
Dr. Jessica Boland
Job Title: Senior Lecturer in Functional Materials and Devices, University of Manchester
Disability: Hard of Hearing
Vicky Bowskill
Job Title: PhD Researcher and Science Illustrator
Disability: Autism, Dyslexia, and Irlen Syndrome
Andrea Chapman
Job Title: Application Support Brachytherapy
Disability: Dominant Optic atrophy
Glen Cornhill
Job Title: Space Project Lead and Tutor at G2G Communities CIC / Chief Technology Officer at Artemis Space / Open University Masters Student
Disability: Dyslexia and Irlen syndrome
Dr David Cornwell
Job Title: Senior Lecturer in Geophysics, University of Aberdeen
Disability: Type 1 Diabetes
Amy-Charlotte Devitz (Charlotte)
Job Title: Frontier’s Masters Student in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Michigan
Disability: Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Pandysautonomia (EDS + PANDYS)
Dr Patrick Dunne
Job Title: Lecturer in Physics and Data Science, Imperial College London
Disability: Asperger's, Dyspraxia, Tourette’s
Julie Eshleman
Job Title: Disability Researcher, University of Stirling
Disability: Autism
Ross Exton
Role: Video Producer and Director at Watch and Learn Productions
Disability: Hearing loss
Sam Frampton
Job Title: Mission Safety Analyst at Civil Aviation Authority
Disability: Dyspraxia
Sara Fletcher
Job Title: Head of Impact and Engagement, ISIS Neutron and Muon Source
Disability: Dystonia
Claire Given
Role: CEO of Equipmii
Disability: Congenital Transradial Amputation
Dr Hamied Haroon
Job Title: Research Associate in Magnetic Resonance Imaging, University of Manchester
Disability: Charcot Marie Tooth Disease
Elli Harpum
Area of Work: Quantum Physics
Disability: Type 1 diabetes, wheelchair user, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), deaf
Natalie Hiller
Job Title: Chartered Accountant and Co-Chair of Disability Awareness Network at PwC
Disability: Mobility and dexterity, wheelchair user
Francesca Littler
Job Title: Technician Commitment Manager at the Wellcome Sanger Institute.
Disability: Multiple long-term health conditions, including a connective tissue disorder.
Dr. Claire Malone
Job Title: Science Journalist and Inclusion Consultant
Disability: Cerebral Palsy (rare subset, choreoathetoid)
Laura Martin
Job Title: Master’s student in Observational Astrophysics (Liverpool John Moores University)
Disability: Autism Spectrum Disorder & Chronic Migraine
Dr Camilla Pang
Job Title: Postdoctoral Scientist and Author.
Disability: Autistic Spectrum Disorder, ADHD.
Emily Radley
Job Title: Head of Manufacturing and Technical Customer Support at Hexigone
Disability: ADHD and Dyslexia
Daisy Shearer
Job Title: Physics postgraduate researcher & experimental quantum physicist
Disability: Autism Spectrum Disorder
Tosin Sonubi
Role: Data Engineer
Disability: ASD, ADHD and Dyslexia
Zach Walker
Role: Chief Operating Officer at Jamescape
Disability: ASD
Alexia Alexander Wight
Job Title: Trainee Science Teacher and Physicist
Disability: Mental Health Disability
Lucy Williams
Job Title: Assistant Editor at the Royal Astronomical Society
Disability: Visually Impaired (Oculocutaneous Albinism)
Nat Hawley
Job Title: Neuroinclusion Consultant (Applied Neuroscience) and Founder of Divergent Thinking UK
Disability: Autistic, Dyslexic and Dyspraxic