05:00, 10 March 2025
Words by Cheyanne Bryan, Editorial and Campaign Marketing Executive, London
As British Science Week unfolds, we shine a light on the inspiring work of Dr. Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE, co-founder and CEO of Stemettes — a nonprofit dedicated to supporting girls, young women, and non-binary individuals in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM).
Dr. Anne-Marie Imafidon is a renowned British computer scientist and advocate for diversity in STEM. She excelled academically from a young age, achieving a degree in Computer Science and Mathematics from the University of Oxford at just 20 – one of the youngest to ever achieve this feat – and has channelled her own experiences of being a young black woman in STEM to be a leading voice in promoting diversity and inclusion in these fields.
Stemettes works across the UK and Ireland to create accessible spaces and provide mentorship, hands-on experiences, and role models to empower young people to thrive in these fields.
In conversation with Dr. Anne-Marie for Smiley News, she shared her insights into the challenges that women, girls, and non-binary individuals face in the world of STEAM, the work Stemettes is doing to overcome these barriers, as well as how her own experiences have fuelled her passion as a computer scientist and wanting other girls and young non-binary people to see themselves in this field.
According to Dr. Anne-Marie, the biggest obstacle this group faces is the lack of visibility—many individuals struggle to imagine themselves in STEM careers if they don’t see people who look like them in those roles.
“Then there are the societal misconceptions about STEM and the structural barriers which can feel unwelcoming due to unconscious bias, outdated stereotypes, and imposter syndrome.” She adds, “And let’s not forget the pipeline problem myth; people love to say there aren’t enough women and non-binary folks interested in STEM, but the reality is that they’re often pushed out or made to feel less than at certain points in their journey.”
However since Stemette’s inception in 2013, over 65,000 young people have attended events, workshops, experiences through Stemettes for free. This number not only shows the demand that many girls and non-binary people are interested in pursuing their interests in STEAM, but also the significant impact Stemettes has had in providing accessible opportunities for underrepresented groups in these fields – further highlighting the importance of creating inclusive spaces where young people can explore, learn, and be inspired to pursue careers in STEAM.
By actively challenging the barriers that women, girls, and non-binary people face in STEM by creating inclusive spaces that evolve social norms in both educational and extracurricular settings, Stemettes caters to young people aged 5 to 25. Through mentorship, hands-on experiences, and access to supportive networks, Stemettes ensures that participants don’t just learn about STEM careers, but also have the chance to immerse themselves in them. Central to their mission is the focus on diverse role models at every level, making it clear that STEM is for everyone, regardless of background.
“STEM isn’t just one type of person or career; it’s a vast world with space for everyone,” Anne-Marie says. By normalising diversity at every stage, Stemettes creates an inclusive environment where no one feels like the “only one in the room.”
In the day to day operations of Stemettes Dr. Anne-Marie has been given a unique insight into the importance of diverse representation in STEM. She has seen first-hand the difference it makes when young people are provided with opportunities, encouragement, and access to supportive networks. Looking ahead, she believes that more needs to be done for future generations.
“We need more companies to commit to investing in diverse hiring and retention. It’s not just about bringing people in but about keeping them,” she explains. Anne-Marie also calls for schools and institutions to challenge stereotypes early, ensuring that STEM is never seen as “just for boys.” Additionally, she emphasises the need for governments and policymakers to invest in accessible STEM education, “talent is everywhere, but opportunity isn’t.”
The shift towards interdisciplinary approaches in STEM is also an exciting development. “Right now, we’re seeing huge interest in areas like coding, AI, and cybersecurity. There’s also growing enthusiasm for the ‘A’ in STEAM—arts! Young people love creative applications of STEM, whether it’s game design, digital art, music tech, or fashion innovation.”
This new wave of interest reflects a future where STEM is not just about hard science but also about harnessing creativity to solve complex problems.
Dr. Anne-Marie’s passion for boosting exposure to STEAM stems from a deep belief that “talent is evenly distributed, but opportunity is not.” She is clear about the importance of ensuring that all young people, regardless of their background or identity, have the opportunity to shape the future. “The STEM industries are shaping the future,” she notes. “If we’re leaving out huge groups of people, we’re missing out on innovation, creativity, and better solutions for society.” By opening doors for those traditionally excluded, Stemettes not only fosters innovation but also helps build a future that reflects the diverse world we live in.
Reflecting on her own journey, Anne-Marie shares that her passion for STEM began with “curiosity, encouragement, and opportunity.” As a child, she loved problem-solving, and her parents supported her curiosity. “My school also encouraged me to push boundaries,” she recalls. Dr. Imafidon credits these early experiences with giving her the confidence to pursue a career in STEM, and she co-founded Stemettes to provide others with the same kind of support she received. “Stemettes is about me doing this for the next generation at a scale bigger than just 1,” she says.
For Anne-Marie, the true reward of her work lies in the difference it makes to young people’s lives. “Recognition is gratifying when it leads to more action,” she says, “but above all, it’s a reminder that there’s still much to be done.” She remains committed to driving systemic change, focusing not only on recruiting young talent but also on ensuring their continued success and retention in the industry. As long as young people are dreaming of a future in STEM, Dr. Anne-Marie will continue to advocate for the support and opportunities they need to thrive.
If you are interested in the work of Stemettes, head over to their website here to learn more about their programmes and events or sign up to their newsletter here. Alternatively, if you are interested in learning more about women in STEM, dive into Anne-Marie’s first book She’s In CTRL here.
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Stemettes. This nonprofit is co-founded by Dr. Anne-Marie Imafidon with the aim to inspire the next generation of young women, girls, and non-binary people in STEAM fields through mentorship, hands-on experiences, and community-building. Find out more.
Black Girls Code. This organisation aims to empower young girls of colour by providing them with opportunities to learn coding, technology, and digital skills. Learn more here.
The WISE Campaign. This organisation works to inspire women and girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). It focuses on improving gender diversity within the STEM workforce and offers support, mentorship, and resources for women in STEM. Support them here.
This article aligns with the UN SDG Gender Equality, Quality Education.
