Hidden Figures

This project aimed to bring together women who had a background in science - but were not currently working in the sector, due to barriers they may have faced.

Originally based at City Arts, the project expanded to work with groups of women across the city including When Women Gather and the Refugee Forum. The group also visited locations around the city including foraging walks, site tours and a visit to the Boots Archive.

Throughout the project I worked with Artist Rebecca Beinart, we worked with the group to explore their ideas and interests through creative activities. During these sessions women found common ground through creativity and conversations and shared knowledge of: recipes, herbalism, remedies, rituals, sustainability, self sufficiency and care.

The book linked here is an outcome of the project and holds a collection of; stories, wisdom, research, notes and drawings made and shared by women throughout the project.

The book was first showcased at a tasting event as part of The Nottingham Festival of Science and Curiosity 2023, where visitors were invited to add their own notes to the book.

Hidden Figures celebrated the knowledge of all self-identifying women and non-binary folk who were not currently working in science for reasons of family, care, health, work or immigration status, or had faced any other barrier accessing STEM.

A digital copy of the book is now available as part of the Boots online archive and the physical copy is now a part of the Women's Library at the Nottingham Women's Centre. The project was funded by a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund.