Introducing the Youth STEM Summit Design Team!

Back in July, we launched a global search for 8 young people to form the Design Team for the first ever Youth STEM Summit. 238 applications - from youth in 39 countries - later, we’re excited to now introduce the 9 young people who will be making all the key decisions about the Summit!

 
Top row (L to R): Ritika, Kavya and Robert.  Middle row: Rutendo, Safa and Guli.   Bottom row: Catherine, Oluwatosin and Lucy.

Top row (L to R): Ritika, Kavya and Robert.
Middle row: Rutendo, Safa and Guli.
Bottom row: Catherine, Oluwatosin and Lucy.

The Design Team comprises:

  • Catherine Andary, 17, Canada

  • Guli-Rano Abdumalikova, 16, Uzbekistan

  • Jinadu Oluwatosin Oluwafunmibi, 21, Nigeria

  • Kavya Venkatesan, 13, USA

  • Lucy Chen, 20, England

  • Ritika Singhal, 16, India

  • Robert Norrie, 22, Scotland

  • Rutendo Kahari, 17, Zimbabwe

  • Safa Haroon, 16, Sri Lanka

 

We had an incredible response from youth globally to this opportunity, so we want to say a huge thank you to every young person who applied. Each of you were impressive in your own right, and you collectively showed the drive and determination of youth to change the world in your application!

On the standard of applications, Mhairi McCann, Youth STEM 2030 Founder & CEO, and Adam Khan-Qureshi, Editor-In-Chief of Youth STEM Matters, said:

The quality of the applications we received for the Summit Design Team was fantastic. The fact we invited 9 young people to join the Design Team only hints at the difficult decisions we had to make!
— Mhairi McCann, Founder & CEO of Youth STEM 2030
I had the pleasure of being involved in the interviews for our Youth STEM Summit - everyone I spoke to showed great potential and an excellent repertoire of skills they could bring to the team. Some tough decisions were made but I have full confidence in the team chosen that they will deliver an engaging, thought-provoking and inspiring virtual summit this year.
— Adam Khan-Qureshi, Editor-In-Chief, Youth STEM Matters
Grey background with blue and green border.  Text: 238 applications from youth in 39 countries, 6 continents
Mhairi McCann

Mhairi (she/her) is Youth STEM 2030’s Founder & CEO, and her work here is fuelled by a deep drive to create possibility for other young changemakers in STEM. Based in Inverclyde, Scotland, her expertise lies in creating meaningful, inclusive and participatory youth inclusion in decision-making. A generalist, Mhairi brings a strategic approach to the pursuit of our mission, and enjoys thinking of the bigger picture and ‘joining the dots’. She has a strong focus on equity & inclusion, is especially passionate about ocean conservation and, in her free time, enjoys volunteering and spending time in nature on long walks with Gordon the dog. Mhairi is a 776 Foundation Climate Fellow, and a 2021 National Geographic Young Explorer, and for her work at Youth STEM 2030, she was named Winner of the 2022 Young Scot Environment Award.

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First Original Research Article Published in Youth STEM Matters