IDRIC’s video project, You can’t be what you can’t see was selected for the Inspiration Bazaar at ECSITE 2026, the annual conference of the European Association of Science Centres and Museums. Dr Douglass represented IDRIC at the conference and showcased the videos alongside interactive snap-shot thought-exchange activities to prompt wider discussions on role models in STEM.

Between 2022 and 2024 – in response to the pressing need to make the energy transition sector more diverse, inclusive and equitable – we coproduced 48 films with people working with IDRIC. Their personal narratives communicate the diversity of people, breadth of roles, and opportunities in decarbonisation across the UK with the aim of inspiring, supporting and educating school students, and widening participation in the sector.

During ECSITE 2026, we shared the project’s rationale with attendees and also discussed the process of making and disseminating the films. During the session, Dr Douglass highlighted that not every student or school has equitable access to relevant, relatable role models. She noted that the sector often places undue pressure on people from underrepresented backgrounds to become role models and take responsibility for widening engagement. The importance of film and inclusive filmmaking processes in enabling greater, more equitable access to role models, and in reducing the burden often placed on role models was also raised. In addition, the session considered lessons learnt, production processes and recommendations, tensions and trade-offs (e.g. between in-person and audiovisual role models), and limitations of the project (e.g. no individual impact outcome measurements on students watching the films).

ECSITE has over 300 member organisations across Europe including Natural History Museums, Science Festivals, Aquariums, Science Communication Faculties and many other bodies that communicate science to the public. Delegates were primarily from science communication backgrounds. Throughout the conference, delegates consistently acknowledged the need for greater diversity and inclusivity within STEM, and the importance of personal narratives in both supporting EDI and enhancing understanding of science. Delegates engaged strongly with the IDRIC project, with several institutions suggesting they may now do similar work.

Using a Role Barometer – a tool consisting of 4 to 5 graded-response questions – the audience were offered a quick and accessible way to reflect on and communicate their views about role models in STEM. The ECSITE audience answers were similar to answers from delegates at IDRIC’s 2026 annual conference. Both audiences broadly agreed that role models can help with decision making, and that seeing ‘someone like me succeed’ can make a difference. Both audiences also broadly suggested that role models could be unrealistic or limiting. Some respondents in both settings noted that institutional attitudes towards role models often did not meet individual employee’s aspirations for greater diversity. In both settings, many shared how role models had helped shape their personal education and career trajectories, but noted that this was not static and that role models and the need for engagement varied over time. Delegates repeatedly raised the importance of role model authenticity, with some emphasising the importance of following ‘values’ rather than ‘people’ themselves.

ECSITE gave IDRIC an excellent opportunity to promote its work and commitments to supporting equity, diversity and inclusion in decarbonisation. In addition, delegates acknowledged the potential for personal narratives that communicate the diversity of people, breadth of roles and opportunities in STEM to form exhibitions in science centres.