Peterborough STEM professional is a finalist in three major regional STEM awards

“I am particularly proud to represent Peterborough on a regional stage”

Peterborough scientist is announced Finalist for three STEM awards.

placeholder image — Rae Freestone | Raewyn Freestone

Peterborough resident, Registered Scientist and previous two-time winner of the Science Council’s Registered Scientist CPD Award, Raewyn (Rae) Freestone RSci MIScT has been named as a finalist in three categories at the Overt STEM Awards 2026.

Rae has been shortlisted for DEI in STEM, Mentoring Excellence in STEM and STEM Start-Up, recognising her work to make science, technology, engineering and mathematics more accessible, inclusive and visible.

Rae Freestone with my Stemettes Mentee visiting Linx Printing Technologies | Raewyn Freestone

The latest recognition builds on Rae’s previous success at the Science Council CPD Awards, where she received a commendation in the Registered Scientist category in 2021 before winning the category in both 2022 and 2023.

The Overt STEM Awards recognise individuals and organisations making a significant contribution to STEM across the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor, with the winners due to be announced in Milton Keynes on 3 November 2026.

More than 25 years in STEM

Currently working as a Development Technician at Linx Printing Technologies, Rae has built a career spanning more than 25 years across forensic science, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, research and engineering.

Volunteering at Peterborough Cathedral for T-Rex The killer Question | Raewyn Freestone

As a Registered Scientist (RSci) and Member of the Institute of Science and Technology (MIScT), she is passionate not only about her own professional development, but also about helping others discover where a career in STEM could take them.

Alongside her professional career, Rae volunteers as a mentor with Stemettes, an award-winning social enterprise supporting girls, young women and non-binary young people to explore opportunities within STEM.

Through one-to-one mentoring, Rae helps young people build confidence, explore potential career pathways and gain a better understanding of the range of opportunities available across science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Supporting STEM in Peterborough

Winning the Science Council CPD Award in the Registered Scientist category | Raewyn Freestone

Closer to home, Rae is actively involved in STEM engagement across the Peterborough community.

She volunteers at Peterborough STEM Festival and supports STEM engagement activities at Peterborough Cathedral, helping local children, young people and families engage with science and discover the variety of careers that STEM can offer.

For Rae, the local connection is particularly important. Having built her own STEM career while living in Peterborough, she is passionate about helping people in the city recognise the opportunities available both locally and across Cambridgeshire and the wider Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor.

She believes that visible and relatable role models can play an important part in showing people that STEM careers are not reserved for those from a particular background or those who fit a particular stereotype.

At the Science Museum London's: Technician Gallery Gala event | Raewyn Freestone

RaeBow STEM Outreach

Rae’s STEM Start-Up shortlisting also recognises the development of RaeBow STEM Outreach, an initiative she founded to inspire the next generation of STEM talent through mentoring, community engagement and positive role modelling.

Drawing on her experience as a STEM professional, Registered Scientist, Stemettes mentor and community volunteer, RaeBow STEM Outreach aims to work with schools, community organisations and families to help make STEM more visible, accessible and inclusive.

A particular focus is helping people who may not traditionally see themselves represented in science and technology to recognise that there can be a place for them within STEM.

Rae hopes that by sharing real experiences, showcasing different STEM career pathways and providing positive role models, the initiative can help more young people develop the confidence to explore where their own interests could take them.

“I am particularly proud to represent Peterborough”

Volunteering at Peterborough Cathedral for the Titanosaur Exhibition | Raewyn Freestone

Rae said: “Being a finalist in three categories is an incredible honour. Having previously received a commendation in the Science Council’s Registered Scientist CPD Award in 2021 and then winning in both 2022 and 2023, it is wonderful to receive further recognition for the different areas of STEM that I am passionate about.”

“I am particularly proud to represent Peterborough on a regional stage. My career has shown me how important encouragement, mentoring and visible role models can be.

“Throughout my career, I have benefited from people who shared their knowledge, encouragement and opportunities with me, and I believe strongly in giving something back.

“Whether that is through mentoring with Stemettes, volunteering at Peterborough STEM Festival and Peterborough Cathedral, or developing RaeBow STEM Outreach, I want to help more people discover STEM and believe that these opportunities are open to them too.”

Rae hopes the recognition will also help highlight Peterborough’s place within the wider regional STEM community.

With science, technology and engineering opportunities across Cambridgeshire and the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor, she believes it is important that local people are able to connect with those opportunities and see relatable examples of people building successful careers in STEM.

The winners of the Overt STEM Awards 2026 will be announced at an awards ceremony in Milton Keynes on 3 November 2026.