[{"text_idx": "#000002", "text": "I am pleased to introduce you to just a small selection of the many women working in science for the Food Standards Agency. Their work is essential to achieving our mission of food that is safe, is what it says and is healthy and sustainable."}, {"text_idx": "#000003", "text": "The FSA employs people in a wide range of science specialisms, from toxicologists and microbiologists to social scientists, economists and vets. Our science and evidence teams include women working on horizon scanning, planning and managing new research projects, and analysing data."}, {"text_idx": "#000004", "text": "As Chair of the FSA, I\u2019m proud that science and evidence shapes everything we do as an organisation. It is a place where you can use your scientific training to have real world impacts, and work on important issues that touch all of us, every day."}, {"text_idx": "#000005", "text": "Below you can find out more about the experience of some of talented and committed women we have working in science for the FSA."}, {"text_idx": "#000007", "text": "I am head of the new Science and Surveillance team for the FSA in Northern Ireland. This was set up in September 2022 with the focus on leading and developing the science input and expertise in Northern Ireland. Our remit is quite broad - we provide coordination across all policy and operational delivery teams ranging from topics such as nutrition to antimicrobial resistance. I have a BSc in Human Nutrition and a MSc in Health Promotion and Public Health. Everyone in the team has different experiences and backgrounds across biological sciences, from nutrition to microbiology and a PhD in virology!"}, {"text_idx": "#000008", "text": "What have you found most challenging about being a woman working in science?"}, {"text_idx": "#000009", "text": "When I was at the start of my career, I would look at women already working in public health and wonder how they did it. How did they balance the demands of a full-time career with life outside work and caring responsibilities? We are lucky in the FSA to have a flexible working policy, making it easy to manage this work-life balance. You can have it all! I don\u2019t take this for granted, it would not be the same in other organisations. I can attend all of my meetings and deliver on my projects whilst taking time out to see my son\u2019s school play, for example. I\u2019ve also appreciated the flexible hours when it comes to continued professional development. We all know learning does not stop when you leave university, there are so many developments to keep up with. I can get up early to read research papers or spend time watching webinars later in the evening."}, {"text_idx": "#000011", "text": "Go for it! Believe in yourself. Don\u2019t forget to focus on the informal aspects as well. Networking and relationship-building, for example, can be really valuable. Identify mentors and role models early on in your career. It\u2019s also important to broaden your focus when at university to all of the career options open to you. Nutrition, for example, is such a broad field, you could choose to work in research, policy development, industry, the community and voluntary sector or clinical work. Find out what areas you are interested in and passionate about."}, {"text_idx": "#000012", "text": "What is the best thing about being a woman in science for the FSA?"}, {"text_idx": "#000013", "text": "My background is in nutrition and this is a predominately female field. I love how supportive the women I have worked with are of each other. Everyone is willing to help, encourage and push each other. They are also brilliant at taking the time to celebrate each other\u2019s successes, it\u2019s a lovely culture to be a part of."}, {"text_idx": "#000017", "text": "What would you say to someone starting out now and considering a career in science?"}, {"text_idx": "#000018", "text": "My younger self would have answered this very differently but at this point in my life, I would first re-iterate that the starting point of anything you want to do is NOW. There is no wrong or right time, and everyone\u2019s time is unique."}, {"text_idx": "#000019", "text": "What matters most (and this applies in every career) is having the passion for what you choose to do and being realistic about the input needed as this is what keeps you going on those days you might doubt if you made the right choice. My love for the food industry has led me to where I am today, backed up by the science subjects I undertook in school. Science is versatile with applications in just about anything in daily life so if you have the interest, you are bound to find your niche."}, {"text_idx": "#000020", "text": "What is the best thing about working as a woman in science for the FSA?"}, {"text_idx": "#000021", "text": "We have been drumming on the need for more girls taking STEM subjects and going into science-related roles. Working for the FSA and in SERD specifically is evidence that women can successfully contribute in scientific roles... another face on the map to help inspire."}, {"text_idx": "#000023", "text": "I took quite a convoluted route into science, but eventually settled on Microbiology, and that is the degree that I graduated with at BSc level. When I started at the FSA I worked in exposure assessment, where I was involved in providing estimates of exposure to different types of hazards from food and drink to subject matter experts. I am now a senior trade risk assessor where I essentially coordinate projects to inform risk assessments on imported food and drink."}, {"text_idx": "#000024", "text": "I would say the most challenging thing I have overcome is my own self-belief. When I first thought about a career in science at around 15, I didn\u2019t really think I could do it. I didn\u2019t know much about the career options available and that there were, in reality, lots of women in those roles."}, {"text_idx": "#000025", "text": "So, I initially applied for a course at university which wasn\u2019t really what I wanted to do, because I didn\u2019t know what I wanted! Inevitably, it didn\u2019t work out and I am thankful to this day for that early rejection so that I could use it to build on and end up on the path I am on now."}, {"text_idx": "#000026", "text": "Speak to women in science. Most women I know working in science, including myself, would be happy to speak to people who approach them, particularly young women and girls. It\u2019s a great way to find out what kinds of roles are available and about people\u2019s journey into them \u2013 it\u2019s not always what you think! It might mean asking friends and family if they know anybody, approaching someone at school or university, or on social media. I have found that most people will be friendly and willing to help \u2013 you might be surprised by what you find out!"}, {"text_idx": "#000027", "text": "That I am rarely the only woman in the room \u2013 or virtual room! There are so many wonderful people working in science or with the science directorate that the FSA, and I can honestly say, that not once have I felt the impact of being a woman in that environment. I have been at the FSA for over three years, and I think that this is because much of the way has been paved by women who have gone before me. There is still work to be done for feminism generally in science I believe, but at the FSA, my experience has only been positive."}, {"text_idx": "#000030", "text": "Mae\u2019n bleser gennyf eich cyflwyno i ambell un o\u2019r llawer o ferched sy\u2019n gweithio ym maes gwyddoniaeth yr Asiantaeth Safonau Bwyd (ASB). Mae eu gwaith yn hanfodol i gyflawni ein cenhadaeth, sef bwyd sy\u2019n ddiogel, sy\u2019n cyd-fynd a\u0302\u2019r hyn sydd ar y label ac sy\u2019n iach ac yn gynaliadwy."}, {"text_idx": "#000031", "text": "Mae\u2019r ASB yn cynnig ystod eang o rolau gwyddonol arbenigol, o wenwynegwyr a microbiolegwyr i wyddonwyr cymdeithasol, economegwyr a milfeddygon. Mae ein timau gwyddoniaeth a thystiolaeth yn cynnwys menywod sy\u2019n gweithio ar sganio\u2019r gorwel, cynllunio a rheoli prosiectau ymchwil newydd, a dadansoddi data."}, {"text_idx": "#000032", "text": "Fel Cadeirydd yr ASB, rwy\u2019n falch bod gwyddoniaeth a thystiolaeth yn llywio popeth a wnawn fel sefydliad. Mae\u2019n sefydliad lle mae modd manteisio ar hyfforddiant gwyddonol i gael effaith go iawn, a gweithio ar faterion pwysig sy\u2019n cyffwrdd a\u0302 bywydau bob un ohonom, bob dydd."}, {"text_idx": "#000033", "text": "Isod, gallwch ddarllen am brofiadau rhai o\u2019r merched medrus ac ymroddedig sy\u2019n gweithio ym maes gwyddoniaeth yn yr ASB."}, {"text_idx": "#000035", "text": "Fi yw pennaeth ti\u0302m newydd Gwyddoniaeth a Gwyliadwriaeth yr ASB yng Ngogledd Iwerddon. Sefydlwyd y ti\u0302m ym mis Medi 2022 gyda\u2019r ffocws ar arwain a datblygu\u2019r mewnbwn a\u2019r arbenigedd gwyddonol yng Ngogledd Iwerddon. Mae ein cylch gwaith yn eithaf eang \u2013 rydym yn cydgysylltu ar draws yr holl dimau polisi a chyflawni gweithrediadau, yn amrywio o bynciau fel maeth ac ymwrthedd gwrthficrobaidd. Mae gen i BSc mewn Maeth Dynol ac MSc mewn Hybu Iechyd ac Iechyd y Cyhoedd. Mae gan bawb yn y ti\u0302m brofiadau a chefndiroedd gwahanol ar draws gwyddorau biolegol, o faeth i ficrobioleg a PhD mewn firoleg!"}, {"text_idx": "#000036", "text": "Beth yw\u2019r her fwyaf am fod yn fenyw sy\u2019n gweithio mewn gwyddoniaeth?"}, {"text_idx": "#000037", "text": "Ar ddechrau fy ngyrfa, byddwn yn edrych ar fenywod oedd eisoes yn gweithio ym maes gwyddor iechyd ac yn meddwl tybed sut roeddent yn gallu gwneud hynny. Sut roedden nhw\u2019n cydbwyso gofynion gyrfa lawn amser gyda bywyd personol? Yn ffodus, mae gennym ni bolisi gweithio hyblyg yn yr ASB, sy\u2019n ei gwneud hi\u2019n hawdd rheoli\u2019r cydbwysedd rhwng bywyd a gwaith. Mae modd cael y cyfan! Dydw i ddim yn cymryd hyn yn ganiataol, ac rwy\u2019n gwybod nad yw pethau\u2019r un peth mewn sefydliadau eraill. Dwi\u2019n gallu cymryd seibiannau o\u2019r gwaith, a pheidio a\u0302 cholli sioe ysgol fy mab, er enghraifft."}, {"text_idx": "#000041", "text": "Beth yw\u2019r peth gorau am fod yn fenyw sy\u2019n gweithio i\u2019r ASB ym maes gwyddoniaeth?"}, {"text_idx": "#000042", "text": "Mae fy nghefndir ym maes maeth ac mae hwn yn faes sy\u2019n cael ei ddominyddu gan fenywod. Rwyf wrth fy modd a\u0302\u2019r ffordd y mae merched yn cefnogi ei gilydd. Mae gan bawb amser i esbonio a helpu. Rwyf bob amser wedi cael fy amgylchynu gan fenywod cefnogol ac rwy\u2019n sylweddoli nad yw hyn yn wir ym mhobman. Mae pawb yn barod i helpu, cefnogi a hybu ei gilydd. Mae\u2019n ddiwylliant hyfryd."}, {"text_idx": "#000045", "text": "Y peth mwyaf heriol yr wyf wedi gorfod ei oresgyn yw cydbwyso\u2019r ro\u0302l y mae menywod yn ei chwarae y tu allan i\u2019r gwaith ochr yn ochr a\u0302 gyrfa heriol, yn enwedig fel mewnfudwr heb lawer o gefnogaeth gan eraill. Fodd bynnag, mae gweithio i\u2019r ASB wedi lleihau\u2019r her hon yn fawr. Rwy\u2019n gweithio\u2019n hyblyg ac o bell, gan fod yr ASB yn cynnig gwahanol fathau o gontractau i weddu i anghenion amrywiol (roedd hyn ar waith gan yr Asiantaeth ymhell cyn coronafeirws), sy\u2019n fy helpu i gydbwyso fy nghyfrifoldebau fel mam ac fel asesydd risg."}, {"text_idx": "#000048", "text": "Yr hyn sydd bwysicaf (ac mae hyn yn berthnasol ym mhob gyrfa) yw bod yn angerddol am yr hyn rydych yn ei ddewis, a bod yn realistig yngly\u0302n a\u0302\u2019r hyn y bydd angen i chi ei wneud, gan mai dyma sy\u2019n eich cadw i fynd ar y dyddiau hynny y gallech fod yn amau a wnaethoch chi\u2019r dewis cywir. Mae fy nghariad at y diwydiant bwyd wedi fy arwain i ble rydw i heddiw, ynghyd a\u0302\u2019r pynciau gwyddonol a astudiais yn yr ysgol. Mae gwyddoniaeth yn faes amrywiol ac yn berthnasol i bron unrhyw beth mewn bywyd bob dydd, felly os oes gennych chi\u2019r diddordeb, rydych yn siw\u0302r o ddod o hyd i\u2019ch niche."}, {"text_idx": "#000049", "text": "Beth yw\u2019r peth gorau am weithio i\u2019r ASB fel menyw ym maes gwyddoniaeth?"}, {"text_idx": "#000052", "text": "Roedd fy llwybr i wyddoniaeth yn un eithaf troellog, ond yn y pen draw, penderfynais ganolbwyntio ar Ficrobioleg, gan raddio ar lefel BSc. Pan ddechreuais yn yr ASB roeddwn yn gweithio ym maes asesu amlygiad, yn darparu brasamcanion o amlygiad i wahanol fathau o beryglon o fwyd a diod i arbenigwyr pwnc. Rwyf bellach yn uwch-asesydd risg masnach lle rwyf yn cydlynu prosiectau i lywio asesiadau risg ar fwyd a diod a fewnforir."}, {"text_idx": "#000053", "text": "Byddwn yn dweud mai\u2019r peth mwyaf heriol i mi ei oresgyn oedd gallu credu ynof fi fy hun. Wrth ystyried gyrfa mewn gwyddoniaeth am y tro cyntaf yn 15 oed, doeddwn i ddim wir yn meddwl y gallwn ei wneud. Doeddwn i ddim yn gwybod rhyw lawer am yr opsiynau gyrfa a oedd ar gael i mi, a bod llawer o fenywod yn y rolau hynny mewn gwirionedd."}, {"text_idx": "#000054", "text": "Felly, ymgeisiais am gwrs yn y brifysgol nad oeddwn i eisiau ei astudio mewn gwirionedd, oherwydd doeddwn i ddim yn gwybod beth roeddwn i eisiau ei wneud! Yn anochel, nid oeddwn yn llwyddiannus ac rwy\u2019n ddiolchgar hyd heddiw na ches i le ar y cwrs hwnnw, gan fod hynny wedi fy arwain at fy llwybr presennol."}, {"text_idx": "#000055", "text": "Siaradwch a\u0302 menywod mewn gwyddoniaeth. Byddai\u2019r rhan fwyaf o fenywod rwy\u2019n eu hadnabod sy\u2019n gweithio ym maes gwyddoniaeth, gan gynnwys fi fy hun, yn hapus i siarad a\u0302 phobl sy\u2019n dod atyn nhw, yn enwedig menywod ifanc a merched. Mae\u2019n ffordd wych o ddarganfod pa fathau o rolau sydd ar gael ac am brofiadau pobl eraill o gyrraedd y rolau hynny \u2013 bydd yn agoriad llygaid! Gallwch ofyn i ffrindiau a theulu a ydyn nhw\u2019n nabod unrhyw un, mynd at rywun yn yr ysgol neu\u2019r brifysgol, neu cysylltu a\u0302 rhywun ar y cyfryngau cymdeithasol. Rwyf wedi gweld o brofiad y bydd y rhan fwyaf o bobl yn gyfeillgar ac yn barod i helpu \u2013 efallai y cewch eich synnu gan yr hyn rydych chi\u2019n ei ddarganfod!"}, {"text_idx": "#000056", "text": "Anaml mai fi yw\u2019r unig fenyw yn yr ystafell \u2013 neu\u2019r ystafell rhithwir! Mae cymaint o bobl wych yn gweithio ym maes gwyddoniaeth neu yng nghyfarwyddiaeth wyddoniaeth yr ASB, a gallaf ddweud yn ddiflewyn ar dafod, nad wyf erioed wedi teimlo\u2019n negyddol am fod yn fenyw yn yr amgylchedd hwnnw. Rwyf wedi gweithio i\u2019r ASB ers mwy na thair blynedd, a dwi\u2019n credu bod hyn oherwydd bod y seiliau wedi\u2019u gosod yn barod gan fenywod sydd wedi gweithio i\u2019r Asiantaeth cyn fy amser i. O safbwynt ffemeistiaeth yn gyffredinol, dwi\u2019n credu bod dal gwaith i\u2019w wneud ym maes gwyddoniaeth, ond yn yr ASB, mae fy mhrofiad wedi bod yn gadarnhaol tu hwnt."}, {"text_idx": "#000060", "text": "This is the official blog of the Food Standards Agency (FSA). We blog our experience of protecting public health and consumers' wider interests in relation to food."}]