Authors: Mr Kasongo Emmanuel Shutsha, Dr (PhD) Diana Contreras.

The School of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Cardiff University collaborates with other institutions in Cardiff on a series of annual engagement events, as part of its social responsibility and commitment to the city’s community. On the 11th February 2026, a team comprising Professor Andrew Kerr, Dr Lu Zhuo and Mr Kasongo Shutsha represented Cardiff University at the Grangetown Careers event, as shown in Figure 1. Professor Kerr teaches petrology; Dr Zhuo is a Lecturer in Remote Sensing and Environmental Systems; and Mr Shutsha is a PhD researcher studying evapotranspiration and, at the same time, a Research Assistant on the project: ‘Reducing Gender Disparity in STEM from Kindergarten to Professional Life’, funded by the British Council through its call: Going Global Partnerships 2025-2026.

The Grangetown Careers Event was a careers-focused activity for students and families in the Grangetown area, where Cardiff University has launched over 50 University–community projects through its Community Gateway initiative [1]. The event took place at the Grange Pavilion and involved planning and hosting an interactive stall, engaging with parents and pupils aged 6–15, and discussing pathways into studying and working in Earth and Environmental Sciences. The Research Assistant role at this event focused on promoting and discussing with children, books that portray girls as Engineers, Ecologists, Astronauts, and coders, and mothers as scientists. Books selected for this event included ‘An Engineer Like Me’ [2], ‘Look! I’m an Ecologist’[3], ‘Lift‑the‑Flap Questions and Answers About Space’[4], ‘Ada Twist, Scientist’[5], ‘A Coder Like Me’[6], and ‘My Mummy Is a Scientist’[7]. These books were displayed at the stand provided by the Grange Pavilion to Cardiff University, as shown in Figure 2. The book ‘An Engineer Like Me’[2] introduces young readers to the world of engineering, creative thinking and problem-solving; ‘Look! I’m an Ecologist [3] presents nature-themed eco-projects for kids, such as climate change, conservation, and recycling; ‘Lift the Flap Questions and Answers About Space’[4] answers questions such as ‘What is an astronaut?’ ‘Where have people visited in space?’ ‘Why can’t I see stars in daytime?; ’‘Ada Twist, Scientist’ champions girl power and women scientists in a celebration of curiosity, the power of perseverance, and the importance of asking “Why? [5] ‘A Coder Like Me’[6] introduces young readers to the world of coding, computers and problem-solving and ‘My Mummy Is a Scientist’[7] introduces children to a range of Science-related careers. Around 41 children were interested in these books, mostly girls, who were our main target population. These resources highlight the role of diverse representation in STEM, encourage girls’ participation, and familiarise boys with the presence of women in these careers, thereby helping break stereotypes from infancy.  The book ‘Lift the Flap Questions and Answers About Space’, with its interactive format, was particularly popular among younger participants, while stories featuring relatable characters helped sustain interest across age groups. Careers‑focused engagement activities like this help pupils and families understand the diversity of STEM pathways and challenge stereotypes about who can pursue these careers.

The Grangetown Careers Event forms part of Cardiff University’s commitment to strengthening links with local communities through its Community Gateway initiative, which supports a wide range of University–community projects. By engaging both children and parents, the activity fostered conversations about future career options and challenged traditional assumptions about women’s roles in STEM. The project will continue to deliver community‑based outreach activities to raise awareness of women’s roles in STEM careers among children and adults.

References
1. n.d. The Grangetown community. [cited 2026 26th May 2026]; Available from: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/community/our-local-community-projects/community-gateway/about-us/project-impact/the-grangetown-community.
2. Somara, S. and C. Coe, An Engineer Like Me. 2021, London, UK: Wren & Rook, Hachette Children’s Group.
3. Kindersley, D., Look I’m An Ecologist. 2021: DK Children.
4. Daynes, K., Lift-the-flap Questions and Answers About Space. International Edition, 2016: Usborne Publishing Ltd.
5. Beaty, A., Ada Twist, Scientist. The Questioneers. 2016: ‎ Abrams Books for Young Readers.
6. Somara, S. and C. Coe, A Coder Like Me. 2021, London, UK: Wren & Rook, Hachette Children’s Group.
7. Kerrine Bryan, J.B., My Mummy is a Scientist. 2016: Butterfly Books.