Cynthia Breazeal. Fei-Fei Li. Ayanna Howard. Maja Matarić. Ayorkor Korash. Elena García Armada. Daniela Rus. Angelica Lim. Chelsea Finn. Raia Hadsell. AJung Moon. And our own Perla Maiolino. 

These are just some of the names of prominent roboticists making a difference to the field.

We know that diverse research teams build more inclusive technological solutions that enable greater scalability. 

But, in the UK, only 16.9% of engineers are women, with the STEM field experiencing a “leaky pipeline”. This is a phenomenon in which underrepresented groups in STEM tend to leave the field at higher rates than their peers, often citing factors such as workplace discrimination or a lack of mentorship.

So, how can we “stem the flow”? As part of International Women in Engineering Day 2026, researchers from across the ORI share their experiences in robotics and offer advice on how young women – or anyone – can get into the field.

Robotics is a creative and interdisciplinary field

For MSc by Research student Kate Lampo, interest in robotics also developed at a young age: “I was always building things as a kid – Lego, K'Nex, and so on – and then I got my first Arduino board sometime in my early teens. In high school, I was a part of my school's robotics team, which was my first exposure to larger-scale projects."

She continues:

"I think robotics scratches my tinkering itch, and I love both the creative and highly technical aspects of the field.”

Although it can appear a very technical field, robotics is actually an integrative, multidisciplinary field of work with numerous applications – so you shouldn’t feel put off if you feel like you don’t fit the stereotype of a roboticist. 

“Robotics is a particularly unique field that combines the practicality of engineering with the creativity of research, where ideas can be transformed into technologies with real-world impact”, says Efimia Panagiotaki, a DPhil student in the Mobile Robotics Group.

“In robotics, curiosity and potential can come from anywhere”, echoes Charlotte Reed, a joint DPhil student under the Earth Sciences department at the University of Oxford and the Goal-Oriented Long-lived Systems Lab. “I would encourage young people to think of robotics as much more than just robots that look and act like humans."

She says:

"Robotics can contribute to healthcare, climate resilience, agriculture, accessibility, education, exploration, and many other areas. That breadth means there are many ways into the field, and many kinds of people who can make valuable contributions.”

“My research is leveraging oceanographic knowledge to inform decision-making on autonomous underwater robots. I'm focusing on robots called gliders, and I've had the amazing opportunity to work with the National Oceanography Centre on live glider deployments in the North Sea”, she says.

For Perla, who is Deputy Director of the ORI and Principal Investigator for the Soft Robotics Lab (SRL), inspiration for her research comes from biological organisms. She says, “Nature offers many examples of systems that can safely and effectively navigate complex environments thanks to their flexibility, and we try to bring some of those principles into robotics. I’m particularly interested in how combining touch and soft embodiment can make robots more capable of interacting with humans and unstructured environments.”

Tasha Kim, a DPhil student in the SRL and the Parker Jones Neural Processing Lab (PNPL), integrates elements of human biology into her work, which intersects brain function and robotic reasoning. Tasha focuses on neuro-symbolic AI systems that interpret neural and behavioural signals to enhance robot manipulation and decision-making. She aims to develop robots that act as collaborative and augmentative partners to humans, explaining: “When we give cues directly through our thoughts, we can offload the cognitive and physical burdens from humans to machines, enabling meaningful human augmentation.”

Be brave and be curious

“One thing I would tell my younger self is: don’t wait until you feel ‘perfectly ready’”, says Perla.

“Many women tend to underestimate their abilities and hesitate to apply for opportunities unless they meet every single requirement. But growth often comes from trying things before feeling fully prepared."

"Be brave, stay curious, and don't let perfectionism or social bias hold you back. Robotics needs different perspectives, experiences, and ways of thinking”, Perla finishes.

Both Charlotte and Kate encourage anyone interested in robotics to just have a go. “I think that the best way to learn is often simply by doing! I would encourage any aspiring roboticists to pursue passion projects and to dig into ideas that interest them, even before topics like computer science or engineering might come up in school”, said Kate.

She continues, “That doesn't necessarily mean building something elaborate or fancy – some of my first engineering projects were made from household materials or scrapped together from an Arduino Uno and mini breadboard!” 

“This is the best time to get into robotics as there is still so much space for discovery, and the field continues to push the boundaries of what we thought was possible”, Efimia encourages.

Ensuring a representative future for robotics

“We have seen the field become more inclusive and representative over the years, but there is still much more to do”, says Efimia. “The first step starts in schools, by inspiring students to engage with science, technology, and engineering before they are told, implicitly or explicitly, that these fields are not for them.”

Charlotte continues, “Many young people with talent and curiosity in STEM may never have access to the encouragement, resources, and opportunities they need. We can conduct outreach that builds confidence, community, and a sense of belonging.” Indeed, work is ongoing at the ORI, department and University to create an inclusive and diverse research environment, including work with the Women in Engineering group and Uncover Engineering residential programme. 

“Creating a more inclusive field is a responsibility shared by everyone, not only by underrepresented groups. Bias is often subtle, and many people may not even realise how certain behaviours or assumptions can make others feel excluded”, says Perla. “Empathy is important: even if you are not part of a minority in one context, you may experience being an outsider in another.”

Kate echoes this:

“Inclusion in robotics (or any field) starts with the little things. Feeling like the odd one out in a room, regardless of the reason, is a daunting experience. Small kindnesses can go a long way, and ensuring that everyone is included, whether in technical work, social interactions, or otherwise, makes a big difference."

"Take time to check in on lab mates that might participate less in group activities, or those that don't often speak up in meetings – you never know what contributions they may have to offer!” 

Kate continues, “On a more systemic level, we need to ensure that all people have the resources they need to thrive in robotics. What those resources are might vary widely, from adequate parental leave and representative mentorship to workplace accommodations and career support. We should strive to create spaces that are equitable, not just equal, helping to close representation gaps across the field.”