AS an Oxford University maths graduate who has blonde hair and hails from Essex, Rachel Riley knows only too well what it’s like to be underestimated.
“When I was younger, people would be surprised when I said I was studying at Oxford,” she says.
“I was known as a ‘blonde Essex Girl – but it’s not always a bad thing, because you can use it to your advantage and surprise people in a positive way.
“It says more about them for having those misconceptions in the first place.
“I think it’s really important to show you can be blonde, wear make-up and whatever clothes you want and also be a mathematician or scientist.