It was a pleasure to catch up with alumna Tanya Heare-Rowlands (Class of 1995) ahead of her appearance at this year’s Norwich Science Festival. As a speaker in our sponsored STEM Careers sessions, Tanya serves as a brilliant example of where a passion for science and a foundation of confidence can lead.

From her sliding doors moment receiving a bursary to her current role leading a European patent practice for a US law firm, Tanya shares how her time at Norwich High School for Girls shaped her trajectory.

Tanya attended Norwich High from 1988 to 1995, a time she remembers as being defined by a lack of barriers. “I felt comfortable speaking up, asking questions and trying new things without fear of judgement,” she recalls.

With many female teaching staff and a female head, the environment was a masterclass in leadership. “It showed me that females could succeed in leadership roles. There was no pressure to conform to gender-based stereotypes. It made me see that my future career could be in any subject and ultimately to any level, including the very top.”

While she enjoyed a variety of subjects – notably German and Art – it was in the science laboratories that her future began to take shape. “Academically I grew a love of science, particularly human health and disease, and knew fairly early on that I would pursue a career that aligned with this.”

Beyond the classroom, Tanya recalls the school’s culture of encouragement as a pivotal part of her development. She credits the school for pushing her to explore her potential without hesitation.

Tanya is candid about the fact that her path was made possible through an assisted place. Coming from a working-class background, the financial support she received covered everything from travel and uniforms to meals.

“Receiving my assisted place was a real ‘sliding doors’ moment for me,” Tanya explains. “I truly believe life would have been very different had it not been for those monetary awards. It’s tempting to see bursaries as something that simply pays the bills, but they do far more than that – they create opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.”

She credits her junior school maths teacher for recognising her potential and informing her mother about the available funding at Norwich High School for Girls. For Tanya, the award was more than financial; it was a vote of confidence. “The main thing was actually the validation that somebody I had no prior relationship with believed in me … at 10 years old I really was not that sure of myself!”

After leaving Norwich High, Tanya’s academic and professional rise was meteoric:

• University of Liverpool: Studied Applied Biochemistry, achieving two scholarships for excellence and a First Class degree.
• Oxford University: Awarded a DPhil in Biochemistry in 2003.
• Career Pivot: Entered the patent profession in London, qualifying as both a UK and European Patent Attorney in 2008.
• Leadership: Rose through the ranks from Associate to Partner, and in 2016, moved to a US law firm where she now leads their European patent practice.

Despite her busy career, the supportive environment of Norwich High remains Tanya’s favourite memory and her greatest influence. Today, she translates the encouragement she received as a student into mentorship for the next generation.

“Being confident and assuming leadership roles is one thing, but leaning in and bringing others up to carry the torch forward has become very important to me,” she says. “I mentor female associates in my firm and support others in their own career goals. I truly believe it was my time at Norwich High that laid the foundation for this.”

When asked if she would recommend a Norwich High education to girls today, her answer is simple: “Absolutely – 100% without reservation!”

Tanya concludes with a heartfelt message to the community that helped her get her start: “Only a huge thank you to everyone at Norwich High for the years I spent there – the teachers, the staff and of course all the wonderful schoolmates who made it such a special community. It truly was a fantastic place!”

We are thrilled to have Tanya back in the community to share her expertise and inspire the next generation of scientists and leaders at the Norwich Science Festival.

Tickets are still available via the Festival’s website here: https://norwichsciencefestival.co.uk/ for:

• Fri 20th February 2026. STEMM Careers: Building Blocks of the Universe with Dr Clara Nellist
• Sat 21st February 2026. STEMM Careers: Opportunities in Science with Dr Tanya Heare-Rowlands