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Why did you want to work in STEM?

I always had an insatiable curiosity about the natural world. I wanted to know why that plant grows in one place and not another? Why one plant is good for you and another is poisonous? How do bees know which flowers have the best nectar? How do seeds know when to germinate? How do birds know when and where to migrate to with the seasons? What makes clouds look so different? Why is the sky blue? So many questions! I knew I had to make finding out a part of my life. And I love sharing what I learn with others.

What’s your favourite thing about your job or about working in STEM?

I have many interests and when I realised I could combine my love of both science and art I knew I’d found my true vocation as a science illustrator. I love connecting information in new ways, and translating that into fun visuals so others can see them too is immensely satisfying.

What are your top tips for a young disabled person interested in STEM as a career?

Work out what is most important to you about the things you decide to do. Think about what you love doing, what you are good at, what is important to you in living a happy life with your particular strengths and challenges. Then be brave, be bold and never give up. Find disabled role models who are doing the things you are interested in; there is a place for you in a STEM career too.

What advantages has your disability given you in the field?

I have intense interests that can take me deep into the topics I’m investigating. I often see things differently to other people, making connections between ideas and translating them into visuals. Because I learn differently, I’ve had to take ownership of my own education, experimenting with different ways of learning to find what works for me. This has given me independence in my learning journey – and in life – encouraging me to try new things and not accept the status quo. There is always another way to do things. Navigating the world with a disability brings many difficulties but I also find intense joy in being able to do the things I love as part of my work.

Useful Links

vickybowskill.com

Hay Days: meadow science for biodiversity and agriculture (YouTube)