Contrary to popular belief, STEM majors like to have fun just like everyone else–and Ava Flanigan is proof of that. A sophomore completing a dual degree in computer science and engineering at Spelman College—a historically Black liberal arts women’s college in Atlanta—Flanigan has learned the importance of maintaining her identity and authenticity in her field.
“I feel like people think that anyone in STEM, specifically computer science and engineering, is kind of boring and introverted,” Flanigan tells Glamour. “But I would describe myself as a more extroverted person. I love to have fun. I love to dance and sing and just do a lot of creative things. You don’t have to put yourself in a box just because people expect you to be in a box.”
Flanigan’s ability to unapologetically express herself has been nurtured by her school and classmates at Spelman College. She tells Glamour, “As a Black woman, if I were in a space that was predominantly people who did not look like me, they might not be looking for me. But when you go to a place like Spelman or Howard or Tuskegee, they’re looking for you. So being in a STEM discipline, not only are they looking for me, but they’re looking for me in STEM. It makes me feel like I actually matter. What I’m doing matters, who I am matters, and I feel seen.”
And her work and interests are as unique as she is. In her freshman year she won third place in a college competition for a smart dog collar she created with a friend—allowing dogs to attribute a specific scent to their homes (which is still in development). She recently completed a three-month internship at tech giant Nvidia. And she is deeply passionate about bringing her own perspective as a Black woman to tech; for example, “sensors on automatic soap dispensers do not always recognize that my hand is under them,“ she says, “and I question what data sets were being used when these sensors were in development. Were people with darker skin complexions in the room while testing was being conducted?” Ava Flanigan argues, “It’s essential for diverse perspectives such as mine to contribute toward developing new and unimaginable technologies.”
Glamour: What’s an invention or innovation that you hope to see in the future that you think could transform the STEM field?
Ava Flanigan: With the existence of AI and machine learning, it would be great if we had some type of internal bias detection in AI. So if we had some type of internal way to analyze this bias without having to use humans, that system would be of great assistance because AI is probably not going to go away anytime soon. And so when we see it more and more in showing up in different technologies, it’ll be very important to ensure that there’s not a lot of bias in the technology.
So basically, you want to create an AI to check AI?
Yes.
What’s something that you’ve grown to appreciate about yourself?
Even if people think I’m weird or that I might be too much, it’s who I am. I’ve grown to appreciate the fact that I’m not scared to be myself because there are a lot of external factors and a lot of people will say things to you. But despite all that, I’ve never really changed my personality, and I’m proud to say that I am who I am.
When do you feel the most beautiful? And do you have a beauty product that you swear by or that gives you that extra oomph?
I feel most beautiful at night when I’m doing my nighttime skin care routine. I really love Korean skin care products.
What advice would you give to an incoming freshman about finding their place in STEM?
For any incoming freshman trying to find their place in STEM, I would say don’t be afraid to try different STEM disciplines. I began as a chemistry major in my first year, and I can do chemistry, but it wasn’t my passion. Don’t stick it through if you’re not passionate about it. Just do what you love, find what you love, try different things, and you’ll eventually find your place.
Any final words?
If you are a woman in STEM and you feel like you don’t have the strength, or if someone’s making you feel like you don’t have the abilities that you know you have, go where you’re appreciated. Don’t be afraid to leave. Don’t be afraid to walk away from places that don’t serve you. Go to places where you’re going to succeed and you’re going to grow and you’re going to excel, because at the end of the day, you’re meant to achieve greatness, and so don’t go or stay anywhere where you think that you’ll be stagnant.
Photographed by Murugi Thande
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