We Didn’t See Ourselves in STEM – So We Built SISTEM

In this episode of the RACE in STEM podcast, host Steve Fuller is joined by sisters Dr Abigail Otchere and Donna Otchere, co-founders of SISTEM.Growing up in Brixton, Abigail and Donna share their journeys into science and engineering – navigating under-resourced schools, cultural expectations, confidence struggles, and being the only Black women in many academic and professional spaces.Abigail reflects on her path from failing A-levels to earning a PhD in biomedical science and building a career in medical writing, while Donna opens up about studying mechanical engineering, facing bias in the classroom, and questioning whether she truly belonged.Together, they discuss:Why access to STEM isn’t enough without retentionHow confidence, culture, and representation shape career outcomesThe impact of teachers, mentors, and communityWhy SISTEM was created to make the journey easier for the next generationThis is an honest, powerful conversation about identity, resilience, and what it really takes for women of colour not just to enter STEM – but to stay and thrive.Part of The IN Group Communities, Race in STEM a safe, judgement-free space to share one another’s experiences and ideas. Together, we can challenge the status quo and showcase the excellence of the underrepresented in STEM.Keep in touch and find out more about RACE in STEM!