Dr Shini Somara
Originally a qualified Mechanical Engineer, with a Doctorate in Fluid Dynamics, Dr Shini Somara is now an established STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) Media Producer through her production company eSTEAMd Media. Her primary purpose is to democratise STEM to encourage more diversity and inclusivity amongst our future scientists, engineers and innovators.
She shares her deep interest in innovation and science through authoring books, producing and hosting television programmes and digital content, and several podcast series, including eSTEAMd Women (a podcast for Women in STEM) and Innovators Making a Difference (a podcast for trailblazers and pioneers in STEM).
Dr Somara is also experienced in live speaking, delivering many keynotes, including a speech at The United Nations HQ in New York in 2017. She also mentors Masters and PhD engineering students at Imperial College London and other academic institutions.
Her seventh STEM book, Engineers Making a Difference, has been donated to all secondary state schools in the UK (more than 16,000 copies) thanks to the generous support of Imperial College London and The Gatsby Foundation. Her other titles have been published through Hachette and Pan Macmillan.
Dr Somara has spent almost two decades both in front of and behind camera presenting science, technology and innovation on the BBC, Channel 4, PBS Digital, Al Jazeera, Sky and UKTV. She was the host of the highly successful YouTube series called 'Crash Course Physics and Engineering', which has generated more than 60 million views collectively since 2016.
Dr Somara has delivered talks such as at TEDx, and is passionate about making STEM accessible to all, helping to promote diversity and inclusion and updating the public perception of engineering.
She is a Trustee of the Global Communications Museum and a panel member of English Heritage's Blue Plaques Committee and is keen to promote the pursuit of STEM skills for all.