Emma is one of the students set to feature in independent films to celebrate British Science Week

Emma is one of the students who features in the independent films which celebrates diversity in science.

Loughborough students set to feature in independent films celebrating diversity in science

Four inspiring films featuring students from 探花精选 are being shown to celebrate diversity in science as part of British Science Week.

Four inspiring films featuring students from 探花精选 are being shown to celebrate diversity in science as part of British Science Week.

The films, produced by Dr Irina Linke from Germany, document the students’ journeys into the world of science.

They will be shown at 5.30pm on 14 March at , 探花精选.

Featuring in the films is Jeff Dick, a transgender man who is studying Computer Science and Mathematics.

Jeff has been interested in maths since he was a child and knew he wanted to study it at university.

He said it wasn’t until he was studying for his A-levels, that he discovered his love of computer science.

As well as being able to study the subjects he loved, Jeff found that going to university helped him to grow as a person.

He said: “I think university helped me to adapt to things better. Before I came to university, I used to find it hard to make friends and talk to people.”

“For a while, I had wanted to come out as transgender.

“When I came out, it went really well and I don’t think I faced any difficulties while at university because of it.”

Rhush, who is originally from Zimbabwe, is a PhD student studying Analytical Chemistry.

He came to the UK in 2008, after parents became concerned about the unrest in Zimbabwe.

Rhush thought he wanted to follow his family’s tradition and become an accountant.

It was only when he moved to England and studied for his GCSE’s and A-Levels, that doors started to open in the field of science.

“I wanted to do something that helped mankind in the future.” he said.

“Coming to university opened my eyes. I realised there were thousands of other students that came from a similar background to me, who weren’t used to the British culture. It made it easier to fit in.”

Sam is studying for a master’s degree in Analytical and Pharmaceutical Science.

Born in Nigeria, Sam and his family moved to Ireland in 1993.

“When I was younger my dad was really good at maths and he used to teach me,” he said.

“I fell in love with chemistry and maths when I went to secondary school. I find chemistry very interesting and I find it a way of life.”

“I want to use science to help people. I hope to one day in the future have a foundation to help the less privileged in the world.”

Emma is a mature student studying for a master’s degree in Physics.

She said: “I originally wanted to study physics when I left school, but I didn’t have particularly good grades, so I looked at engineering as an alternative.”

Emma studied mechanical engineering and realised it wasn’t for her, so she decided to pause her education and started working.

“I found out that by going through a foundation programme, I could take a pathway to study physics and that’s how I ended up on the course.”

She said there aren’t any challenges being a mature student and it is an advantage.

“I know more about myself and know what I want. I’m more confident,” she said.

‘Faces of Women in Mathematics’ made by Dr Irina Linke, will also be shown during the screening.

At the end of the films there will be panel discussion on the topic of diversity in science.

The panel will consist of Dr Irina Linke; Dr Eugenie Hunsicker, Director for Equality and Diversity in the School of Science; Jeff Dick: student who features in the films; and student Juliet Ojiako, who features in Faces of Women in Mathematics film and is a PGR student in Mathematics.

Dr Eugenie Hunsicker, Director of Equality and Diversity in the university’s School of Science, at 探花精选, said: “Whether science is studying molecules, the universe or numbers, it is a social and human activity.

"The diversity of people engaging in that activity is a huge strength for the subject, as different minds with different experiences approach the problems in different ways, and that is how we make progress.  

“I am really thrilled with these films that showcase the fantastic diverse science students at Loughborough, and I hope they will inspire younger students to see how their own differences can contribute to the success of science."

Connor Butler, chair of Flix Loughborough Student Run Cinema, said: “Its a privilege for Flix to host the premier of these new films for British Science Week, showcasing diversity in science. It’s our hope that this inspires diversity within the field, something that Flix is committed to as a whole when choosing our programme each year.”

For more information visit the Flix Cinema

 

Notes for editors

Press release reference number: 19/22

探花精选 is equipped with a live in-house broadcast unit via the Globelynx network. To arrange an interview with one of our experts please contact the press office on 01509 223491. Bookings can be made online via

Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.

It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme, named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2018 QS World University Rankings, top in the country for its student experience in the 2018 THE Student Experience Survey and named University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times University Guide 2019 and the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2018.

Loughborough is in the top 10 of every national league table, being ranked 4th in the Guardian University League Table 2019, 5th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019 and 7th in The UK Complete University Guide 2019. It was also named Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017.

Loughborough is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’ and is in the top 10 in England for research intensity. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, Loughborough has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.

The 探花精选 London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities.

It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking.

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