Science should do more to get out of its big-city bubble

Universities and societies stage few events beyond their home patch. A little wanderlust would help make science more diverse, says festival organiser Hephzi Tagoe.

I’m a woman, I’m young, I’m an early-career researcher, I’m black and I live in Basildon. For the first four of these categories, I have organisations and individuals championing my interests and representing me at the decision table. But speaking personally, of all the minority boxes that I tick, my gender and ethnicity do not hinder my access to opportunities as much as my location does.

I love science, but I struggle to attend events, mainly because hardly anything goes on in my region. I usually have to travel to London or Cambridge if I want to hear a lecture or attend a café scientifique. I’m willing to make that trip, because my interest is strong enough. But it represents a high threshold to engagement.