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From the classroom to global defence leader

17 July 2025

About this episode

Hear an inspiring story of career transformation, leadership, and purpose-driven science.

In this special series of New ˾þ CoLab interviews, we spotlight exceptional women driving progress in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Lorna is a Senior Science Manager at AWE, a technology and security organisation supporting the UK's nuclear deterrent. She’s the Acting Group Leader of Defence Radiation Protection Services at AWE, leading a team of 71 specialists.

Lorna’s story is a reminder that STEM careers can begin in the most unexpected places as she shares her unconventional journey into science which began not in a laboratory, but in a classroom as a teacher.

We explore:

●      Lorna’s bold career pivot from education to national defence science

●      How she now delivers radiation protection for MOD operations

●      The value of diverse backgrounds in STEM and her path

●      And her advice for others considering non-traditional paths into science and engineering

This series is proudly sponsored by .

Your host is Claire Aisnworth.

To listen to episode 1 of this series, click here.

To listen to episode 2 in this series, click here.

To listen to episode 4 of this series,

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