Professionalism in STEM has historically been framed through a narrow lens — one that often prioritises neutrality, emotional restraint, and traditionally masculine norms. Modern professional standards, including those of the Science Council and the Institute of Science and Technology (IST), now recognise that effective scientific practice extends beyond technical competence to include ethical behaviour, reflective practice, inclusion, and active contribution to the future of the profession.
My career has shown that femininity, authenticity, and professionalism are not in conflict. When grounded in competence, integrity, and accountability, they become powerful tools — not only for effective practice, but for encouraging and supporting the next generation into STEM.
When I joined Linx Printing Technologies in October 2024, I brought extensive technical expertise alongside a visible expression of femininity. Expressive clothing, colour, and personal presentation did not diminish my credibility; instead, they reinforced confidence, clarity, and professional presence.
For younger people considering STEM — particularly girls and non‑binary students — visibility matters. Seeing professionals who succeed without suppressing femininity or identity challenges the perception that they must change themselves to belong. This directly supports the Science Council’s commitment to inclusion, equality, and public trust in science, as well as professional bodies’ emphasis on professional role‑modelling.
Femininity in STEM should not require justification. When professionalism is defined by ethical standards, competence, and conduct rather than appearance, the profession becomes more accessible and sustainable — and better placed to welcome those who will follow.
Breadth of Experience and Transferable Professional Competence
My career pathway has been deliberately broad, spanning multiple regulated and high‑responsibility sectors, including:
- Forensic science, supporting DNA analysis and UKAS‑accredited environments
- Genetic modification techniques (PCR, DNA extraction, electrophoresis)
- Food product development and pharmaceutical quality assurance
- Medical devices, diagnostics, enzyme‑based solutions, and phlebotomy
- Regulatory compliance within the vaping industry under MHRA requirements
- Design‑led innovation, robotics, and AI‑biology collaborative projects
This breadth reflects the Science Council competency framework, particularly the application of knowledge, adaptability, and risk awareness across sectors. From an IST perspective, it demonstrates applied science capability, professional judgement, and lifelong learning.
For younger generations, this challenges the myth that STEM careers must follow a single, linear route. Demonstrating flexible, evolving pathways helps reduce anxiety about early career decisions and encourages broader participation, pointing to a profession that grows as its people do.
Ethical Responsibility and Science in Public Interest
Care, responsibility, and ethical awareness and qualities often culturally associated with femininity — are foundational to professional scientific practice. Throughout my career, I have contributed to work with clear societal benefit, including:
- Transitioning forensic laboratories to crime‑stain analysis (improving evidential relevance and efficiency)
- Implementing regulatory changes through the Tobacco Products Directive (supporting consumer safety and compliance)
- Supporting the UK Ventilator Project during the COVID‑19 pandemic (accelerating life‑saving capacity)
- Contributing to DNA‑based digital data storage and rapid contamination‑detection technologies (advancing resilient, future‑facing solutions)
These experiences reinforce a core Science Council principle: science exists to serve society. For young people, understanding the human impact of STEM work is often a key motivator, and professionals have a responsibility to make this connection visible — then keep strengthening it through how we practise.
STEM Outreach as a Professional Responsibility
STEM outreach is not an optional addition to professional practice; it is a natural extension of it. Professional bodies increasingly recognise that public engagement, education support, and visibility are essential to maintaining trust in science and ensuring the long‑term sustainability of the profession.
The shortage of STEM technicians in the UK represents a significant and growing challenge for the profession. Many technicians are operating under sustained levels of stress and exhaustion, contributing to a reported 159% increase in those considering leaving their roles over a two‑year period. This pressure is further reflected in workforce intentions, with nearly one fifth of technicians planning to leave by 2027, and a further 39% uncertain about whether they will remain in the profession.
Low pay, limited progression opportunities, and persistent workload pressures are frequently cited as key factors driving this attrition. The potential loss of skilled technicians has serious implications for education and the wider STEM pipeline, particularly for students’ learning outcomes. Technicians play a vital role in enabling safe, effective, and meaningful practical work in schools, and their absence risks undermining both educational quality and long‑term engagement with STEM subjects.
By engaging in outreach, mentoring, and visible representation, professionals actively dismantle outdated assumptions about who belongs in STEM. These interactions help present STEM careers as creative, varied, and people‑centred rather than narrow or exclusive — an understanding that is particularly important for those who may not already see themselves reflected in the field.
For girls and non‑binary young people, encountering professionals who succeed without suppressing femininity, individuality, or identity can be transformative. Representation at this level sends a clear, practical message: professional credibility is not contingent on conformity.
Sharing real career journeys — including non‑linear pathways, challenges, and moments of growth — further strengthens this impact. Honest narratives allow young people to make informed decisions, reduce fear around ‘getting it wrong,’ and support sustained engagement with STEM subjects and careers — ultimately sustaining a healthier talent pipeline for the profession.
Encouraging the Next Generation Through Professional Behaviour
Encouragement into STEM does not occur only during formal outreach events. It is reinforced daily through ordinary professional behaviour and visible standards.
It is shaped by:
- The language we use when discussing our work
- The confidence with which we occupy professional spaces
- The willingness to challenge stereotypes and exclusion
- The way curiosity, questions, and learning are supported
These behaviours quietly but powerfully communicate who is welcome. When professionalism is consistently demonstrated through competence, respect, and ethical conduct — rather than appearance or conformity, it creates environments where emerging scientists can imagine themselves belonging.
Such everyday actions align directly with professional expectations to act as role models, support others’ development, and uphold inclusive practice. In this way, inclusion becomes embedded in professional culture rather than treated as an initiative — and, over time, becomes the standard that new professionals both inherit and extend.
Leadership Through Authentic Professional Example
Leadership in STEM is not defined by job title or seniority alone. It is expressed through standards, behaviour, and influence — particularly in how professionals conduct themselves within teams and public‑facing roles.
Leading authentically, including through visible femininity, contributes to healthier workplace cultures and stronger retention. When professionals demonstrate that competence and identity can coexist, they help normalise diversity and reduce the pressure on others to self‑edit in order to be taken seriously.
At its core, professionalism is defined by:
- Technical competence
- Integrity and accountability
- Ethical awareness
- Respect for others
- Commitment to continuous professional development
These principles underpin Science Council registration and professional body membership. They are not abstract ideals, but values enacted through daily practice — and they are values worth modelling explicitly for those entering the profession.
Femininity does not weaken scientific practice; it strengthens it. When combined with competence, reflective CPD, outreach, and ethical responsibility, it enhances trust, communication, and long‑term impact — setting the conditions for future leaders to lead as themselves.
Conclusion: Ongoing Professional Commitment
As STEM professionals, our responsibility extends beyond delivering high‑quality science today. Through visibility, authenticity, and professional conduct, we actively shape a profession that is inclusive, trusted, and sustainable, ensuring that the next generation can recognise themselves in STEM and choose to belong.
I will continue to evidence this through my CPD: planning, acting, recording, and reflecting in line with Science Council and IST expectations, so that my practice — and the profession — keeps moving forward.
By Rae Freestone MIScT RSci
Rae Freestone is an award-winning laboratory technician at Cambridge Consultants with a demonstrated history of working in the design industry alongside various others. Rae is a Lead Laboratory Technician in the Analytical Laboratories Group in the Global Medical Technology Division. Subjects such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) have always been a huge passion of hers, with her winning, in 2023 the Science Council CPD awards