Seeing science differently

My name is Nia and I am a student at the Royal National College for the Blind. Whilst writing my EPQ (project-based qualification) last year I considered varying attitudes towards studying sciences. I came across the fact that there are relatively few well known vision impaired or blind people in the scientific community. This was something that I considered for a long time, as I wondered why there is such a small representation.

Pictured: Nia's article which was published in the Hereford Times in March 2026

As an autistic sight impaired person myself, I find the discipline of natural sciences is fascinating and makes logical sense to me. My family often call me a nerd and gently tease me about ‘having too much interest’. However, I believe that there is a barrier to blind and partially sighted people being allowed to fully participate in science lessons, which often stops them kindling an interest in areas that would benefit greatly from their input.

There are definite ways of making students with vision impairments more included in this learning. I have recently been involved with a local project called The Fossil Box Project, where the aim has been to give schools, colleges and museums resources to be able to teach children and young people about fossils. Recently, these resources have been given to the college to make accessible for blind and partially sighted students, using a combination of being able to touch the fossils and understand them through Braille and large print mediums which we have produced.

One area in which I believe our input would be beneficial is the increasingly crucial topic of climate science and sustainability. Blind and partially sighted people have a better understanding and connection with their environment and the nature around them through noise, smell and touch. I have a keen interest in protecting nature, which contributes much to our daily lives and often helps to make me feel calmer and less overwhelmed by the world. There is a gap in consulting how we can make the issue of environmental change more inclusive. There is definitely stigma around how blind and partially sighted people can be scientists.

There are always some things that we won’t be able to do, but often there are work arounds for most challenges. I believe that if more people like me were inspired then we could remove the stigma, and have more curious problem solvers who could shape the world into a better place.

Nia Feakes, 12 March 2026