In this episode, we talk to Dr. Kanta Dihal, a lecturer of Science Media at Imperial College and a co-author of the paper "The Whiteness of AI".  We discuss some issues surrounding being a minority in STEM. Equivalent Too is a podcast for minorities in STEM. Its a place to discuss issues faced by those who are under represented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, whether that be for reasons of gender, race, socio-economic background, neuro-diversity, physical ability. All are welcome to normalise the barriers encountered by being differences, so that we can indeed make a positive difference through our differences.

Listen for a fresh and constructive take on how to be inclusive... You’ve tuned into Innovators Making a Difference - a podcast series where I meet daring disrupters, tenacious trailblazers and persistent pioneers, who are solving some of the globe’s trickiest challenges, using science, technology, engineering and innovation. As Einstein said, "We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them". And on IMAD, I invite people who are using their intelligence and creativity to do things differently. This series will get you questioning your own worldly, perspectives, habits and values..enjoy..

Innovation builds business, but what else do we innovate for?  I chat to the current CEO of Innovate UK, Indro Mukerjee to find out..  

I meet Samuel West, the founder and creator of The Museum of Failure.  We discuss how the reframing of failure is crucial for innovation.

Sita is in her first year of Mechanical Engineering and already convinced that this is what she wants to do! This is what direction sounds like. She may not know the outcomes of her interests and where it will lead, but what is sure, is that she's enjoying every step of the way, even when times are hard!

Ella Podmore exudes confidence and boldness through her transparency. It's inspiring to listen to a women who is so comfortable in her own skin, despite the occasional self-doubt and fear in standing-up for herself in a very male-dominated industry. What's most inspiring is that she speaks up anyway, with an attitude of knowing that she has nothing to lose and everything to gain!

This week I talk to Yulia Getachew about her experiences into Aerospace Engineering. It hasn't been easy as someone who was transplanted from Ethiopia to London at the age of 6 years old. Despite all the bullying, failures and obstacles of being under represented, she has emerged strong and powerful and she shares what she has learned with us!

Vanessa grew up in a bi-racial family and has strong opinions about diversity and inclusion in engineering. We have a chat about how to unite the industry, to provide skills necessary for harmony and innovation, not just in engineering, but also in life.

Architecture - where science and art collides! I talk to architect Kavita Dhande, who thinks it's an industry that could support women one day, but today is very much dominated by men!

Speaking to Lara gave me goosebumps because we are so aligned. She is passionate about shaking up our educational system to combine science and art AND she is determined to incorporate cultural differences into the way we learn. Its a beautiful conversation about collaboration and open-mindedness and how all of these things can make innovation better in the future.

Sophie Harker was happily oblivious to the differences between school-life and work life as a mathematics student.  She then found herself transitioning out of mathematics into Aerospace Engineering.  Her leap into the unknown is courageous and daring and at the root of them all, has been a deep self-belief that she can tackle anything she puts her mind to.

Rashim is a beacon of light, shining light on the path to female empowerment! Her approach to building one's confidence and resilience is smart, logical and inspiring!

These twins are just 18, and they are about to embark on a solo flight each in a Diamond plane, following each other around the world. Their mission is to raise awareness of Women in STEM and the importance of education for women. The journey should take them a year. They're pretty badass. You can track them at: https://fr.gmaneuver.com/team and they also have a GoFundMe page: https://gofund.me/f05213ee

Arielle has experienced the usual experiences, when under-represented. The Imposter Syndrome, being your own cheerleader, the loneliness and self-doubt. Despite that she pushes through because she is getting herself an impressive education for her own self-esteem and interest. That drive allows her to push through anything.

Isabella Mascarenhas is pushing for more GEMs in STEM (global ethnic minorities) in STEM! She’s VP of @rsgrassroots #engineering that encourages more #bame into industry - they have loads of #stem initiatives and support on offer!

Fiona McGarry is really ahead of the curve when it comes to STEM engagement. She has led initiatives at MakeUK, which has showcased how powerful apprenticeships are for getting into engineering! Fiona is up to date in pushing for individuals to be themselves in STEM. We do need diversity, but more importantly, we want people to discover their talents and skills, so they can shine within STEM industries.

There are very few sciences Dr. Strasser hasn't studied, from mathematics to engineering and biology. Now she is the CSO of Pepper Bio, a drug discovery company that uses AI and other clever algorithms to treat patients more effectively. In short, Dr. Strasser is using her gifts to help others and it was inspiring and right-sizing to speak with such a humble trailblazer...

Sarah Chapman is so much more than a chemist, especially thanks to her day job as an Application Engineering Technical Manager. Sarah has many strings to her bow and believes that we should all speak out, because we never know who we may inspire into STEM. Sarah's TED talk is amazing and I love her analogy that we are all streetlights and some of us stars, but we can all guide each other home..

Shireen loves learning and helping other people to learn. She does this through illustration and for me is a perfect vision of someone who applies all her skills, talents and interests into one career. She is doing what it takes to create her dream job, merging creativity and tech.

Ashley Van Bruygom is fast becoming one of the world’s experts on Hydrogen, a fuel which is set to become a major part of our future, particularly in aviation.  We talk about some of the myths and hopes for hydrogen and how she has carried herself along in engineering, a discipline that is still dominated by men.