Holly O’Dea: Social Media Scientist after St John’s

Holly O’Dea - The Scouse Scientist

I was the resident “scouser” at St. John’s College when I was there. Since graduating, I have moved back home to Liverpool and completed the NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP) in Genomics (Genetics). This is a 3 year training programme to become a Clinical Scientist and through this I also obtained an MSc in Clinical Sciences (Genomics) at Manchester University. After almost 10 years in the NHS, I am now a Principal Clinical Scientist in Genomics and Education & Training Lead, where I support new scientists on the STP. Outside of work, since leaving SJC I have married and have a baby girl called Ada who is now 2 years old.

I honestly had the time of my life at St. John’s! I made so many lifelong friends and made the most of every opportunity. Aside from partying in “Wahoo” every Friday night, I was part of the Broad Street Dancers and did a couple of performances with them. I was fortunate enough to get the music bursary from St. John’s in second year so I also spent a lot of time playing the piano and having lessons. I also regularly attended the student services at St. Aldates church.

Going to Oxford was never something that was on my radar, as I come from an underprivileged state school in Liverpool, with nobody in my family ever going to University. Luckily, my school really supported me and encouraged me to apply but I was so anxious as I simply thought I wouldn’t fit in and Oxford wasn’t for people like me. I quickly learned that Oxford was for everyone and I threw myself into the Oxford experience! It was so different to anything I had ever experienced before but I really made the most of it attending guest dinners, balls, bops, the Oxford Union, the varsity ski trip and pretty much anything else that was on offer! It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I wasn’t going to take it for granted.

I am known on YouTube and social media as ‘The Scouse Scientist’. I created these platforms for a number of reasons: to provide a role model in STEM that young people can relate to; to eliminate the stereotypes associated with careers in science and with Oxbridge; and to raise the profile of healthcare science and educate people about genetics in the NHS. Ultimately, I want to inspire young people to follow in my footsteps and achieve their dreams, whatever they may be.

I posted my first video in 2019 and the reaction was amazing. I mostly talk about eliminating stereotypes associated with Oxbridge and careers in science. I’ve also filmed some videos in the lab - to show what goes on behind the scenes in the NHS. Lots of schools in the North West got in touch after the first video and asked me to visit and talk to the students, so I did this alongside my NHS job until COVID hit. I then started doing school talks online to continue inspiring the next generation. Most of the students are visibly shocked when I tell them I’m a scientist and I went to Oxford, which is sad really because it shows they don’t think that’s an option for them! But afterwards I love that they feel inspired. Their eyes are opened up to other possibilities other than what’s ‘expected’ from someone in their school or background. This has led to a number of appearances on local TV, radio and podcasts. I took a break to take on maternity leave. I decided that 2025 was the year of the comeback and I’ve picked up my work as “The Scouse Scientist” again and have a number of exciting projects planned. My ultimate goal is to have my own science TV show for kids and change the face of science=- So keep your eyes peeled!

I am currently trying to build up my social media profile and I’m in talks with different media companies about podcasts, radio slots and TV appearances. This is all very new to me and I’m not sure what will happen next but I’m excited to see what the future holds! This is all alongside working a busy NHS job and having a 2 year old so juggling is a new skill I’ve had to learn!

Being a woman, with a strong regional accent, and who doesn’t necessarily look like the stereotypical scientist or Oxford graduate is not always easy. People make assumptions about my intelligence based on my appearance or the way I speak and this is something I am really committed to combatting. The number of women in science is increasing, but I am passionate about delving deeper into the demographics and looking at the number of women in science from underprivileged backgrounds or with similar stories to myself. These numbers are extremely low and I feel the issue is due to the lack of relatable role models in STEM. We often think of scientists as the stereotypical white middle-class male with crazy hair and a white lab coat. Many young girls cannot relate to this and therefore feel it’s unachievable. I’m trying to raise my profile and provide a role model in science that young people can relate to because my motto is “if you can see it, you can be it”.

Holly’s social media:

www.youtube.com/thescousescientist

Instagram / TikTok @the_scouse_scientist

Twitter / X @ScientistScouse

If you are active on social media or involved in outreach in another way, please let us know! We are also keen to hear from members of the SJC community who have experience in editing and might be able to offer some tips or mentoring for others who are looking to get into posting content online.