For more than a decade, the WISE Young Professionals Committee (WYPC) have been driving practical change for women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). In 2024 the committee celebrated ten years since its original formation, marking a decade of work that has challenged workplace culture and addressed the barriers women continue to face across the sector.
One of the committee’s proudest achievements is the Unfiltered STEM podcast, launched in July 2023. The podcast creates a space for honest conversations about life in STEM and explores topics that resonate with early career professionals. With more than 1,700 plays and over 1,000 streams, it has reached an audience closely aligned with the committee’s mission. Most listeners are women aged between 23 and 34, reflecting the community the committee aims to support.
“We use real stories and lived experience to open conversations that are often avoided in STEM workplaces.”
Digital engagement plays a vital role in amplifying this work. The committee has achieved over one hundred thousand impressions on LinkedIn alongside strong and sustained follower growth. Social media activity continues to build momentum, with a strong focus on role‑modelling campaigns that showcase women’s journeys into STEM and highlight the diverse pathways available.
Beyond digital channels, addressing the realities women face in STEM remains central to the committee’s purpose. Following concerns about workplace harassment, the committee delivered a dedicated campaign supported by podcast content and practical resources. This work centred real experiences, offered guidance for those affected, and reinforced the importance of safe working environments.
Confidence is another recurring theme. A dedicated campaign on the confidence gap was presented at the WISE 2025 Conference and has since been shared by committee members within their own organisations and at external events, helping to open meaningful conversations at multiple levels.
“We see huge opportunity to create more accessible tools and resources that support women at every stage of their STEM journey.”
Collaboration sits at the heart of the committee’s impact. A long-standing partnership with HarperCollins (global book publisher) has enabled the committee to influence classroom learning as well as career awareness. Recent work includes contributions to GCSE maths workbooks that link curriculum topics to real world professions and video content for a GCSE science teacher resource that showcases STEM careers in practice.
“Collaboration is at the heart of our impact. Working together allows us to reach wider audiences and create meaningful, practical resources.”
These partnerships help ensure that young people can see where STEM subjects lead and who belongs in those roles.
Looking ahead to 2026
Momentum continues to build as the committee looks to the future. One of the most exciting projects in development is What If She Could? A Girl’s Guide to STEM. This upcoming resource explores what it is really like to work in STEM, combining statistics with insight from role models and practical information on careers salaries and skills.
The committee will also deliver a dedicated session at the WISE 2026 Conference and host a WYPC takeover webinar later in the year, creating further opportunities to connect with and support young professionals. 
“We want the WYPC to be a space where you can bring your whole self, build your skills, and make a genuine difference.”
The WYPC operates through a clear and collaborative structure that balances leadership with shared ownership. Lucy Wistow-Hughes, Chair provides direction and accountability, supported by Nintse Dan-Thé, Vice Chair who oversees day to day organisation.
Workstream leads and committee members work closely together to plan and deliver activity across priority areas, meeting regularly throughout the year. Decisions are made collectively to ensure every voice is heard and valued.
The committee brings together early career professionals who are passionate about improving gender equity across STEM. Members contribute through lived experience or allyship and play an active role in raising the visibility of inclusion across the sector.
Everything the committee delivers is mission led and shaped by the communities it serves. Ultimately, it is driven by a long-term goal of improving representation and equity across STEM, creating meaningful change for today’s young professionals and for generations to come.
For future members, the WYPC aims to be a space where individuals can bring their whole selves, build skills, amplify their voices, and make a genuine difference.
Join members of the WISE Young Professionals Committee (and guests!) as they have 'unfiltered' chats about STEM and gender diversity in the workplace on the Unfiltered STEM | Podcast on Spotify
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