In this episode, we speak with Dr Ocean Mercier, an Associate Professor at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington about the profound value of indigenising science, history, and language curricula as an act of reconciliation and decolonisation. We first speak about the inspiring physics teacher at Wellington Girls' College who encouraged her scientific pursuits. We then discuss her passion for highlighting and incorporating Mātauranga Māori—interdisciplinary knowledge from the Māori people—into various curricula. Dr Mercier also elucidates a Māori term, aronga takirua, which describes the cultural double-labour exacted upon Indigenous students as governments attempt to decolonise national curricula. Finally, we discuss the pros and cons of pursuing an academic career in New Zealand.

Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/33-reconciliation

Volume IV

33 Reconciliation

In this episode, we speak with Dr Anna Ampaw, a Provost Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Toronto working in medicinal chemistry. In addition to talking about her fascinating research, we chat about Dr Ampaw passion for inspiring young women in STEM—with a particular focus on women from and living on the African continent—through her non-profit Empowering Female Minds in STEM.  

Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/35-empowerment

35 Empowerment

In this episode, we speak with Icahn School of Medicine medical illustrator Ni-ka Ford. We begin by chatting about her life-long love for the visual arts, the artists she is most inspired by, and her path to becoming a board-certified medical illustrator. Importantly, we talk about the complementary nature of science and art and discuss how empowering medical illustrations can be for patients and clinicians alike. Lastly, we dissect her passion for storytelling through art and science.

Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/36-storyteller

36 Storyteller

In this episode, we speak with Lietsel Jones, a science educator with a background in engineering and neuroscience. We begin by discussing her non-linear path to present day; despite wanting to be a medical doctor early on, Lietsel was nudged towards other career paths, first exploring journalism and law before deciding to pursue her Bachelor's and Master's in Engineering. Further, we discuss the series of events that led to her self-described exodus from academia, also touching upon the importance of reevaluation, recalibration, and rebirth if one finds themselves in an less than ideal professional space.

Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/37-renaissance

Voume IV

37 Renaissance

In this episode, we speak with Salomé Buglass, a Marine Ecologist at the Charles Darwin Foundation and a PhD Candidate in Geography at the University of British Columbia. Our conversation begins with discussing her dynamic academic journey to date. She then shares stories from her international upbringing, which has included stints in Germany, Spain, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Ecuador, England, and Canada. Importantly, we discuss the nuance of growing up multi-racial in a white world and the identity crisis that she faced as an undergraduate student at UCL. In Discovery, learn about Salomé, her life, and her amazing research on deep-water ecosystems.

Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/38-discovery

38 Discovery

In this episode, we speak with Emmanuella Bassey, an undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin, currently completing her BSc in Neuroscience with a minor in French. We begin our conversation chatting about her journey into neuroscience. We then discuss the impactful organisations that Emmanuella is a part of, including Black In Neuro, a grassroots organization that fosters community between Black neuroscientists around the world, and BIPOC, Because Inquiry Propels Our Curiosity, which aims to support scientists of colour who are interested in pursuing research opportunities. Importantly, we chat about the roles that family, faith, and friendship play in her life.

Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/39-faith

39 Faith

In this episode, we speak with BioJam team members Corinne Okada Takara, Callie Chappell, and Ana Maria Guerrero-Campos. BioJam (https://biojamcamp.weebly.com/) is a one-of-a-kind interdisciplinary summer program through which ‘artists, scientists, and educators collaborate with youth and communities of color to address historical exclusion of their communities in STEM fields and reframe what science can be.’ During our chat, we dive into the past, present, and future of BioJam with Corinne and Callie as Ana shares her first-hand experience of the program through the eyes of a BioJam camper. 

Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/40-the-royal-we-part-iii

40 The Royal We: Part III

In this episode, we speak with Jasmine Brown, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine. She previously completed a Bachelor's in Neuroscience at Washington University in St. Louis, after which she obtained a Master of Philosophy at Oxford University. During our chat, we discuss her phenomenal book, Twice as Hard: The Stories of Black Women Who Fought to Become Physicians, from the Civil War to the 21st Century. We then touch upon the major take-aways of her book and chat about how she actively prevents burn-out during med school.

Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/41-twice-as-hard

41 Twice as Hard

In this episode, we speak with Dr Kaela S. Singleton, the campaign manager at Solving for Science. We start our conversation discussing her first exposure to neuroscience in the 7th grade, after which she went on to complete a BSc in Neuroscience and Classical History at Agnes Scott College and a PhD in Neuroscience at Georgetown University. We then chat about the existential crisis that Dr Singleton underwent during her postdoctoral fellowship at Emory University, which led to her beautiful and introspective journey of delineating her value as a human being from her talent as a neuroscientist. 

Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/42-identity

42 Identity

In this episode, we speak with Dr Travis York, the Director of Inclusive STEMM Ecosystems for Equity and Diversity (ISEED) at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). We begin our conversation exploring how Dr York first became interested in higher education. After discussing his educational journey via Geneva College, Oxford University, and Penn State, we then discuss his exceptional work in transforming the STEM landscape to be more equitable, diverse, inclusive, and accessible to all.

Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/43-access

Her Royal Science

43 Access

In our final episode, we speak with Rumaitha Al Busaidi, a marine scientist and the Business Development Manager at Hydrogen Oman. While Rumaitha completes a postgraduate degree in financial strategy at Oxford University's Said Business School, she also runs WomeX, a platform that mentors Arab women to help them meet and surpass their professional goals. Our beautiful conversation covers Rumaitha's love of sports, travel, and women's empowerment. 

Episode transcript available here: https://www.herroyalscience.com/post/44-finale

44 Finale

Her Royal Science is a podcast created to feature individuals from minoritised groups in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Host Dr A Bashir created Her Royal Science for minoritised peoples in STEM to share their life experiences in a safe space, thereby allowing others who may have experienced something similar to feel seen and heard.

33 Reconciliation

Her Royal Science

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