• Question: who was your role model as a child?

    Asked by anon-220164 on 31 May 2019.
    • Photo: Matthew Bareford

      Matthew Bareford answered on 31 May 2019:


      My role model as a child was definitely my dad. He worked two jobs whilst going through college as an adult when I was about 10 in order to become a qualified mental health nurse. It was something that a lot of people said he wouldn’t be able to do as he left school at 15 with no real qualifications and had been a builder/roofer up until then.

      He taught me to never give up and that I could do anything I put my mind to, as long as I put in the effort. Which was massively important for me, as with my Tourette’s, I was quite often told I wouldn’t be able to do things (including being a scientist) but here I am now!

    • Photo: Rebecca Moon

      Rebecca Moon answered on 1 Jun 2019:


      My grandfather was a world famous plant geneticist, and he and my grandmother were always travelling the world so he could present his research and study rice crops. I used to hear about all amazing places they got to visit. He definitely inspired me to follow science, and was encouraging of my interests. Sadly with medicine, I dont get to go to quite such exotic places, although I’m off to Austria later this month to present my research to other scientists, and have been to a few other European countries to do this too.

    • Photo: Kaitlin Wade

      Kaitlin Wade answered on 1 Jun 2019:


      My mum was always my role model but I had other role models including my maths teacher (who just knew how to teach brilliantly and beautifully, and know how to control a room almost without needing to try – she had a lot of respect).

    • Photo: Marianne King

      Marianne King answered on 1 Jun 2019:


      My aunty inspired me a great deal growing up as she was so creative. She taught me how to paint and draw portraits, which is something I still love to do when I have time. My granny also inspires me a lot as she’s one of those people who can do everything. She did a PhD in chemistry, made her own wedding dress, had five children, does historical tours, volunteers at a hospice, plays the piano, can knit jumpers for her eight grandchildren, gardens, and knows so many things. She’s a very good person to think about if you want to feel inadequate and inspired at the same time.

    • Photo: Kate Timms

      Kate Timms answered on 1 Jun 2019:


      Strangely, I don’t think I really had one.

      When it came to being a good person, I couldn’t have asked for better role models than my mum and gran. But I never had a real role model when it came to education or my career.

      I was the first person in my whole family to go to university and get a degree. And I did that with my family’s support, but I didn’t have anyone who had gone before me to show me the way.

      It’s important to remember that just because no one in your family has ever done something before, doesn’t mean you can’t. Blaze your own trail. Who knows, maybe you can be someone else’s role model!

    • Photo: Nina Rzechorzek

      Nina Rzechorzek answered on 1 Jun 2019:


      Two people that really influenced me as a child were my Biology teacher at school, and my brother. I still look up to my brother; he’s the best scientist I know.

    • Photo: Shobhana Nagraj

      Shobhana Nagraj answered on 1 Jun 2019:


      My role model as a child was Mahatma Gandhi, I was always amazed by how he used his intelligence and education to empower and serve others. He led a really simple life, but he has inspired so many people and movements all over the world, through his teachings of non-violence. He made me realise the importance of doing the right thing, and really made me think about the importance of working towards a bigger purpose outside of ourselves and helping others.

    • Photo: Rachel Hardy

      Rachel Hardy answered on 1 Jun 2019:


      I’m not sure I had one specific role model as a child. If I had to pick someone who I remember looking up to a lot back in primary school, it would be the character Hermione from the Harry Potter series! She has such a great work ethic, and always tries so hard in order to achieve her best in every subject at Hogwarts. I always aspired to do my best in every subject just like her – as well as be kind and a good friend. I also aspired to be like my parents. My dad always worked hard as a solicitor, and my mum as a nurse. I saw how they always gave the best in their jobs, while also being the best parents to me and my brother.

    • Photo: Ettie Unwin

      Ettie Unwin answered on 3 Jun 2019:


      My maths teacher at secondary school! She was a great teacher and always encouraged her classes to achieve their potential. All of my maths class in sixth form went on to study science at university.

    • Photo: Anabel Martinez Lyons

      Anabel Martinez Lyons answered on 3 Jun 2019:


      My scientific role models were my biology teachers. Three teachers in three different schools, all phenomenally kind and patient and loved what they did. Their enjoyment of the subject was infectious – I’m now finishing up a PhD in Biology at the University of Cambridge because of them!

    • Photo: Thiloka Ratnaike

      Thiloka Ratnaike answered on 3 Jun 2019:


      Definitely my mum! She was a superwoman, worked full time and managed a household with 2 cheeky children (me and my brother), she could cook amazing food at home, and save lives during her work hours as a doctor! I remember the number of ladies who would come and thank her for helping them deliver their babies without problems (my mum was an obstetrician in Sri Lanka). This truly was inspiring to see.

    • Photo: Ambre Chapuis

      Ambre Chapuis answered on 4 Jun 2019:


      My role model as a child was not a living person per say. Of course I loved my family and very look up to my grandpa who was an amazing man, patient and always wanted to learn. I took role model and ethic with the books that I was reading. One book in particular that I am still a huge fan of is Harry Potter. I was very inspired by Hermione, as my personality trait was matching hers, I admired her hard work and resilience. Another piece of literature that serve me as role model is the manga Fullmetal Alchemist, every character were teach me important quality and fault in people. I am who I am today thank to all this amazing books/manga that develop my imaginary and curiosity.

    • Photo: Alex Blenkinsop

      Alex Blenkinsop answered on 4 Jun 2019:


      My sister! She drove me crazy most of the time, but was actually somebody I really admired and always had my back when it mattered. We became much closer when we grew up and she’s still my role model.

    • Photo: Deepak Chandrasekharan

      Deepak Chandrasekharan answered on 4 Jun 2019:


      My grandma was amazing – she grew up in India in the 40s and although a smart student who wanted to do medicine, at that time she was not allowed to go to college/uni and had to get married.

      She found this really frustrating of course, but was an incredibly caring and loving wife/mother/grandmother. When her kids grew up, she taught herself Sanskrit (like Latin a bit but an Indian language) and then did a Masters in this too in her 60s. She then would teach this (and other subjects) for free to local kids who couldn’t afford lessons. She always wanted to learn, was relentless curious, and wanted give back. She even taught herself WhatsApp and Skype in her 70s so she could keep in touch with us all and give free e-lessons to people who wanted them!

    • Photo: Lorena Boquete Vilarino

      Lorena Boquete Vilarino answered on 4 Jun 2019:


      I have never actually thought about this before! My mum and grandma definitely influenced me the most, they are amazing women and very hardworking

    • Photo: Shonna Johnston

      Shonna Johnston answered on 8 Jun 2019:


      This a great question and one that was really difficult to answer. When I was growing up in the 70s and 80s, there really weren’t that many great female role models and certainly none in any science related profession. The most notable famous women at that time were Madonna and Margaret Thatcher who weren’t my cup of tea.
      So I guess I’d say my mum. She helped shape the independent nature in me so that I always followed what I wanted to do and not what everyone else did. I really appreciate that.

    • Photo: David Wilson

      David Wilson answered on 10 Jun 2019:


      The obvious answer is my parents and family but now when I look for a role model I try and find someone I can relate to who has had some of the same experiences that I have had and who might have come across some of the same challenges. They don’t have to be rich or famous they might be sitting next to you right now, all you need is someone who captures your imagination and sparks your enthusiasm and makes you think “yeah, I could do that!”

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