17 July 2025
About this episode
Hear an inspiring story of career transformation, leadership, and purpose-driven science.
In this special series of New Scientist CoLab interviews, we spotlight exceptional women driving progress in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Lorna is a Senior Science Manager at AWE, a technology and security organisation supporting the UK's nuclear deterrent. She’s the Acting Group Leader of Defence Radiation Protection Services at AWE, leading a team of 71 specialists.
Lorna’s story is a reminder that STEM careers can begin in the most unexpected places as she shares her unconventional journey into science which began not in a laboratory, but in a classroom as a teacher.
We explore:
● Lorna’s bold career pivot from education to national defence science
● How she now delivers radiation protection for MOD operations
● The value of diverse backgrounds in STEM and her path
● And her advice for others considering non-traditional paths into science and engineering
This series is proudly sponsored by AWE.
Your host is Claire Aisnworth.
To listen to episode 1 of this series, click here.
To listen to episode 2 in this series, click here.
To listen to episode 4 of this series, click here.
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