Researchers from the Institute of Biomedical Engineering have contributed to the Bright Matter outreach programme, a collaborative initiative involving several University of Oxford colleges to support girls and non-binary students interested in studying STEM subjects.
The programme brings together colleges including Magdalen, St Anne’s, St Catherine’s, St Hilda’s, Oriel, University College and Mansfield to deliver a series of subject focused webinars followed by in person taster days. The Engineering session for the in-person element, hosted jointly by Magdalen College and St Hilda’s College on 20 May 2026, included a hands-on demonstration delivered by IBME researchers Carla V. Fuenteslópez, Eliška Kratochvílová and Tania Choreno Machain.
The IBME session introduced participants to concepts in biomedical engineering through practical activities designed to encourage observation, problem solving and critical thinking. The demonstration reflected the interdisciplinary nature of research at IBME, combining principles from engineering, biology and medicine in an accessible format.
Feedback from participants highlighted the impact of the session:
“The engineering session was my favourite because it was very fun and practical… I was able to make conclusions and understand things based on my observations”
“I really enjoyed the engineering taster day because it was very interactive and interesting”
“The tasks encouraged me to really think and problem solve… challenging us to continue questioning and thinking from different perspectives”
The Bright Matter programme aims to broaden participation in STEM subjects by providing early exposure to university level learning environments and direct interaction with researchers. By contributing to this initiative, IBME researchers supported efforts to encourage the next generation of students to consider engineering and biomedical sciences.
The activity was delivered in collaboration with outreach teams at Magdalen College and St Hilda’s College. IBME thanks the organisers for the opportunity to contribute to the programme and to engage with prospective students.