Antonia Forster is the Senior XR Technical Specialist at Unity Technologies since 2020 and is continuously striving to teach more about science and technology through her work as a public speaker. After completing her Bachelor of Science in Zoology from the University of Bristol and Master of Science in Zoology/ Animal Biology from the University of Bristol, Antonia realised that she her passion for science was not limited to academia and instead wanted to continue doing fascinating work and tell people about it in the form of demonstrations, educational entertainment, and public speaking. A strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in STEM fields, she can now be hired for a wide range of events where she talks about women and LGBTQ+ people in technology, science and DE&I.
Having studied and worked in fields such as zoology and animal biology, Antonia is fully self-taught when it comes to XR development. It is a testament to her talents that she is now the Co-Chair of the VR/AR Association Women’s Committee. Before her current position at Unity Technologies, Antonia worked as a Planetarium Assistant Producer at We The Curious, working on UK’s first 3D planetarium where she developed the planetarium shows from research to delivery. She has worked in several other roles such as Laboratory Demonstrator for the University of Bristol, Scientific Consultant at Preloaded, Education Ranger at Bristol Zoological Society, and Education Officer at the Twycross Zoo.
Intelligent beyond belief, Antonia’s talents as a public speaker make her a preferred choice to speak at platforms such as the London Science Museum, Kew Gardens, Silicon Brighton, Grant Museum of Zoology, amongst several others. In 2018, her TEDx Bristol Talk “LGBTQ+ and Polyamory in Animals: Yes, It’s Natural” piqued the interest of thousands, resulting in over 180,000 views on the video. Often asked to share her views on BBC Radio Four, BBC Radio Bristol, ITV, BBC Three, and other TV and Radio channels. She is also known to discuss the prejudice that can be experienced in STEM fields, as a woman and member of the LGBTQ+ community, aiming to dismantle this one conversation at a time.
Passionate about teaching people everything she knows about science, tech and the importance of diversity and inclusion, she was shortlisted for the John Maddox Prize, which recognises individuals who promote sound science and evidence topics that are of interest to the general public. Also shortlisted for the Advocate of the Year award at WomenInIT Award Summit in 2022, she won the YTKO "Breaking Barriers" Award for her determination to include women and LGBTQ+ people in tech – further proving that she is a revered member in the industry and community. Antonia is available to hire for events where she shares her expertise in science, technology and matters relating to diversity, equity and inclusion for women and LGBTQ+ members. When looking for a versatile and well-informed speaker with over 10 years of experience in public speaking, hire Antonia Forster!
