I am eternally grateful to Sweta for roping me into Shadow a Scientist! All the running around has been well worth it and I’m proud to have been part of a programme that has helped so many students gain an insight into the life of a research scientist, something I never managed to experience myself while at school.
Roksana Nikoopour
31 October 2019
Students shadow scientists to experience life as STEM researchers
Earlier this year the seventh iteration of the Shadow a Scientist programme was held at King's to give students the opportunity to shadow the world’s leading researchers.
Shadow a Scientist is a four-day outreach initiative that promotes social mobility of students from under-represented & disadvantaged backgrounds into higher education. The programme is delivered by the social enterprise Scientists & Co, founded by former King's PhD candidate Sweta Raghavan, jointly run with another former King’s PhD candidate Roksana Nikoopour.
Each programme hosted on average 20-25 sixth formers from various London state schools and includes a CV and personal statement workshops and most importantly a 2-day shadowing experience giving them a practical insight into life as a research scientist.
Since the programme's inception in 2016, over 150 students took part and of those students, 9 out of 10 of went on to study science at the university level.
One student on the programme commented ‘My Shadow a Scientist experience has proven both exciting and intriguing, where I was able to gain more insight into careers of scientists that I would not have had the chance to if I had not participated in the programme.’
“We'd like to thank all of those involved over the years, particularly the shadowing and CV clinic mentors from various departments within King's as well as staff from the life sciences museum, zebrafish and NMR facility for hosting informative tours for our students.” Adds Roksana