London Fire Brigade Encourages Young Women in STEM to Pursue Careers in Fire Industry

Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in STEM

In the run-up to the 12th International Women in Engineering Day, a series of educational initiatives led by Fire Investigator Lisa Wincott is sparking interest in STEM careers among students across London.

Through its Fire Investigation team, London Fire Brigade is encouraging young women to see their potential as engineers, scientists, and future leaders. With women comprising just 26% of the UK’s STEM workforce, Lisa’s outreach is helping to close the gender gap.

University Lecture Brings Theory to Life

Lisa recently delivered a lecture to first-year Forensic Criminology students at the University of Greenwich. Using real case studies, CCTV footage, and forensic techniques from fire scenes, she demonstrated how theoretical knowledge is applied in the field and introduced students to the diverse career opportunities within the Brigade.

“Lisa Wincott came and spoke to first year Forensic Criminology students about fire investigation and impressed many of our students,” said Dr Molly Ackhurst, Lecturer in Criminology at Greenwich University. “After first discussing the science behind not only how fires spread, but how she, as a Fire Investigator, figures out what has taken place at a scene, Lisa went onto discuss real cases. The case which many of the students found most terrifying, was the video of the e-bike catching fire in a hallway. We received many compliments about Lisa’s lecture, and we were told by some of them it was their favourite class of the term.”

Hands-On Experience at Dowgate Fire Station

Following the lecture, students were invited to Dowgate Fire Station for a hands-on fire investigation experience. They tried on protective gear, operated specialist tools, examined real evidence, and met Smokey, the Brigade’s fire investigation dog.

“It was a fantastic morning I really enjoyed it,” said first-year student Kiara Curzon. “It has intrigued me to find out more about fire investigation after my studies. Trying on the gear made it feel real, and I could've kept it on and gone to work! Also seeing Smokey in action was utterly brilliant.”

Inspiring School-Aged Girls in STEM

This outreach is part of a wider campaign by the London Fire Brigade to raise awareness about fire safety and promote non-traditional career pathways. Lisa Wincott, alongside Station Officer Steve Girling, also led a session for Year 10 pupils from Norbury High School for Girls, engaging them in activities related to forensic science and public safety.

“I’ve always been fascinated by forensics, which led me to study Forensic Biology and later earn a master’s in Fire Investigation,” Lisa explained. “I joined the Brigade in 2019 as a non-uniformed staff member, training alongside operational colleagues and gaining the same qualifications. It’s important for young people to see that the fire service offers more than just firefighting. There’s a whole world of science, investigation, and public service to discover. If I can inspire even a few to pursue a meaningful and challenging career in fire investigation, I’ll feel proud of the impact I’ve made.”

Looking Ahead

With new collaborations already underway, the London Fire Brigade continues to connect classroom learning with real-world professions. Their work helps young women see themselves in STEM careers, building a more inclusive and diverse future for science and public safety alike.

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