BBC Research and Development's technologist Rosie Campbell has been shortlisted in the FDM Everywoman in Technology Awards. Ahead of the awards ceremony - when the winners will be announced - on 19March, Rosie writes about her career journey and what it's like to be a woman working in R&D.
When I tell people I work as a Technologist at BBC Research & Development (R&D), I usually get one of three reactions. Sometimes, their eyes glaze over at the first mention of technology, so I change the subject. Sometimes, they’re fascinated and we have an animated conversation about robots and virtual reality and coding and all sorts of exciting futuristic things (I love this!). Other times, they look at me with confusion and scepticism and say, "But you don't look like an engineer…"
It should come as a surprise to no one that the technology industry has a diversity problem. The fact that people still do a double-take when they meet a woman in a technical role is a symptom of the wider issue, but there are plenty of initiatives around that are trying to change this. One of these is the FDM everywoman in Technology Awards, which aims to raise the visibility of women in the industry.
I was aware that women are often reluctant to put themselves forward for things, so despite my natural inclinations I decided I should at least try. I applied for the Rising Star category for women in their early career stages, thinking ‘what's the worst that could happen?’ To my surprise, my application was shortlisted and I was invited to an interview in London. Here I met some incredible women - those interviewing me and also the other applicants. I was so nervous but there was a lovely atmosphere of camaraderie and encouragement. After this I was told I had been selected as a finalist, and invited to the awards ceremony... I couldn't believe it!
Funnily enough, I got into technology relatively late. I've loved science all my life and studied Physics at university, but computers had always been a bit of a mystery. However, when my university laptop kept failing, I decided to master it once and for all and started teaching myself. I discovered a weirdly addictive sense of satisfaction from making it work and went on to do a masters in Computer Science.
While looking for web development jobs I stumbled across the advert for the BBC R&D Graduate Scheme which seemed to be the perfect job - mixing science, technology and creativity to solve problems and make new things. Outside the technology bubby, not many people have heard of BBC R&D - I hadn’t when I saw the job advert. But however you consume your media, chances are somewhere along the way BBC R&D have had a hand in it; perhaps through the encoding algorithm, the distribution techniques, the innovative recording kit, the enhanced on-screen graphics or the improved user experience.
Two and a half years after joining, I haven't been disappointed. I’ve investigated novel methods for finding programmes on iPlayer by mood, developed a new algorithm for adaptive bitrate streaming, captured 360° video and audio footage at festival test shoots, created a prototype for exploring the footage in a browser and helped deliver the Olympics in Super Hi-Vision. I have also had the chance to work in other areas of the BBC, having just completed a placement in the TV Application Layer team, which provides the underlying framework for all the BBC apps that run on TVs.
I have recently joined the User Experience section of BBC R&D, where I’ll be looking at how we can use the plethora of devices in your home to present content in an appropriate manner whenever you want it, for example as interactive wallpaper. We are also working on creating programmes that can automatically vary in length and content based on the time you have available and how interested you are in the subject. Ultimately, I’d like to get some experience in computer graphics and animation, as I’ve always been drawn to the areas where technology and art overlap.
All this highlights something that is both brilliant and terrifying about the technology industry: it can be incredibly varied, but inevitably you often feel out of your depth. Since some women tend to underestimate their own abilities and may suffer from imposter syndrome, we need to make it known that this feeling is normal. I’ve had concerns that girls might be intimidated away from careers in technology if they are only ever presented with seemingly exceptional, high-achieving women. If there’s one thing I hope these awards will achieve it is to show that we all have these worries and fears, and yet we still succeed.
So let’s look to a future where more people are aware of the rewarding, exciting and varied career they could have in thetechnology industry, and where people don’t look so surprised when I tell them I’m an engineer!
Rosie Campbell is a Technologist for BBC R&D
- The FDM everywoman in Technology Awards are on Wednesday 19 March at 12.00pm. The hashtag is #ewtech.
- See the BBC R&D blog
- Read more technology posts on About the BBC
- Read Ariel's news story about Rosie's nomination
