Yvonne Baker

Executive Director of STEM Learning, University of York, Heslington (UK).

STEM Learning’s mission is to make world-leading STEM education available to ALL young people across the UK. Yvonne has been unwavering in her drive to bring disparate STEM organizations together to make this vision a reality, believing that “a great STEM education has economic, social, cultural and ethical value, with positive impacts on social mobility, diversity and inclusion”.

As Yvonne says: “Even in normal times, teachers have one of the most difficult and important jobs in the world, and that has been especially true in the last two years. The teachers we support are some of the most dedicated people in the profession.”

Over the next five years, Yvonne will focus on supporting young people living in the UK’s most deprived communities. She is passionate about the crucial importance of great teaching and providing meaningful and sustained support to young people. Yvonne’s driving force is a deep belief that STEM education gives young people choices in terms of what they want to do with their lives.

In addition to her role in STEM Learning, Yvonne is Chairman of the Governors at Heworth Grange School, a member of the Board of Directors of The 5% Club, an employer-led organization that promotes learning, and a member of the Royal Society Education Committee. Until recently, she was co-chair of the Education and Skills Panel at the Institution of Engineering and Technology. She is a licensed chemical engineer.
Yvonne Baker has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s New Year Honors List 2022 for services to STEM education.