Student story: Josie Sams and Felicity Smith
Fourth-year chemistry students Josie Sams (Exeter College) and Felicity Smith (Lady Margaret Hall) are both passionate about breaking down the barriers that prevent women from accessing education. In 2023 they got involved in PERIODically, a podcast that explores how periods affect students and researchers in their field. The podcast has since found listeners in over fifty countries worldwide and in 2024 received the Horizon Prize for Education from the Royal Society of Chemistry. Read Josie and Felicity’s student story to find out about their work with PERIODically and where they plan to go next.
Tell us about yourself. What has your time at Oxford been like?
| Josie: | I grew up in Essex and went to a state comprehensive school. I am a first-generation student and it was very uncommon for students from my school to get into Oxbridge so coming to Oxford was a massive achievement for me. |
| Felicity: | I am a fourth year Chemistry student at Lady Margaret Hall. I am from a town called Chesterfield in Derbyshire and also went to a state comprehensive school. |
| Josie: | I was very apprehensive about going to Oxford initially as I didn’t know what to expect, but it’s been an amazing experience – and the highlight has been being a part of PERIODically. PERIODically means so much to me as I am really passionate about breaking down the barriers to education. My thesis touches on the gender gap in academia and one major obstacle that contributes to this gap is periods. |
| Felicity: | I feel incredibly grateful for the rewarding experience I’ve had at university. The academic work is challenging but you receive so much support from incredibly talented people. Beyond PERIODically, I’ve had the opportunity to be my college’s JCR Women’s Rep, a choral scholar, and been part of outreach work for my college, the East Midlands, and the Chemistry Department. My favourite part about Oxford has undoubtedly been the people I’ve met, and PERIODically is a true testament to that. |
How did PERIODically come about?
There’s a huge stigma around talking about periods. Many feel as though they will be judged for bringing it up, or that their pain or issues will not be taken seriously. PERIODically, led by DPhil student Charlie Simms, was created to help reduce the stigma surrounding menstrual issues and to create a safe space for people with periods. By having open and honest conversations, we wanted to help people feel less alone, reduce the taboo and raise awareness. PERIODically is also a great learning tool for anyone who wants to learn more about the breadth of experiences surrounding periods, the menopause, pregnancy and much more!
What kind of work have you been doing on the podcast?
Nothing is more rewarding than when people tell us that they have listened to the podcast and taken something positive away from it, whether that’s resonating with the topics shared or if they learnt something new about the experiences of others. The podcast has had over 5000 downloads across 50 different countries and many people have reached out to us (including men!) to share their own stories or express how important this work is for them.
What’s in store for PERIODically?
There are so many ways in which we would like to expand, the topics yet to be covered are endless! We are spending some time running events, brainstorming and raising awareness and we will be back for Season 3 in 2026. We just hope to continue educating people and breaking the stigma! If you’re interested in setting up a project like this, just put yourself out there and go for it. PERIODically was started by putting out an open call – you might be shocked at how many like-minded people you find and the support available to you.
Where do you each plan to go next?
| Josie: | PERIODically has been the highlight of my Oxford experience. I’ve met some amazing people through it and it has opened up so many amazing opportunities for me. It has inspired me to pursue a career in science communications as I have loved the whole process of making the podcast. |
| Felicity: | I would love to have a career which incorporates my scientific background with softer skills developed in the podcast such as communication, writing and building relationships. Whatever job I end up doing, I will be sure to carry on the ethos of the podcast by getting involved with EDI networks and continuing to break the stigma around women’s health. |
Students wishing to contribute to the podcast or get involved in running PERIODically can message the team on social media (@periodically_ox) or check out their website. The podcast hosts regular live events and are actively looking for new collaborations.
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