In this special International Day of Women and Girls in STEM episode, host Kelly Shungu sits down with three extraordinary conservation scientists from the RSPB who are redefining what it means to do groundbreaking research in some of the world's most remote and challenging environments.

Dr Antje Steinfurth is a penguinologist with over two decades of experience studying seabirds, leading the Gough Island Restoration Project — one of the world's most important seabird breeding site restorations — while working closely with island communities to protect critically endangered Northern Rockhopper penguins in the remote South Atlantic.

Dr Louise Soanes is a Senior Conservation Scientist working across the Caribbean and UK Overseas Territories, where she balances biodiversity protection with climate-smart approaches on low-lying, hurricane-prone islands — navigating both environmental extremes and the challenges of being a woman in remote field environments.

Dr Natasha Constant is a Principal Social Scientist specialising in the human dimensions of conservation across West Africa. She champions participatory methods and local knowledge systems, often as the only female or social scientist in her team, proving that conservation science must include the voices of the communities it serves.

If you've ever wondered what real conservation work looks like beyond the Instagram posts, or how women are leading global STEM research while breaking barriers in male-dominated fields, this conversation will open your eyes.

We dive into:

✨ What a day in the life of a conservation scientist actually looks like — from penguin colonies to tropical forests ✨ How these scientists balance rigorous research with climate change realities and community needs ✨ The unique challenges women face in remote fieldwork and male-dominated STEM environments ✨ Why local knowledge and participatory methods are essential to conservation success ✨ Real stories of conservation wins — from seabird restoration to climate-smart island protection ✨ How their work contributes to closing the gender gap and redefining STEM ✨ One action you can take this week to start or advance a career in STEM or conservation science

Whether you're considering a STEM career, passionate about conservation, or curious about what it takes to do world-changing research in the most challenging environments on Earth, this conversation will inspire you to think differently about both science and impact.

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