Feb. 11 marks the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, a day that was was adopted by the United Nations to help promote the role and participation of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). But even in the decade-plus since the UN established the day of recognition, men still outnumber women in professional STEM fields — though the number of women entering these fields is growing.

Zoe Slusar, also known as hip-hop artist ZHE the Free, is a graduate student in anthropology at the University of Saskatchewan (USask), and is the coordinator for USask’s Science Ambassador Program. The program pairs USask students with K-12 classrooms across 11 northern communities, helping create two-way learning relationships rooted in respect, reciprocity and joy.

The program helps inspire young people to embrace science and research from a young age – many of them young women and girls who may not get a similar opportunity.

On this special episode of the USask Signature Series podcast, we answer the question “How are we encouraging future scientists?”

Special guest host: Leslie-Ann Schlosser

• Host: Matt Olson
• Producers: Matt Olson and Leslie-Ann Schlosser
• Editor: Matt Olson
• Graphics and Marketing: USask Research Profile and Impact office
• Original Music created by Silas Friesen

Questions? Email research.communications@usask.ca
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