Joan Davidson

Joan Yeats Davidson (1977 – November 2020) was a Scottish science educator, environmentalist and the Head of Learning at Edinburgh Science.

Early life and education Davidson was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, to Charlie Davidson, a hospital theatre technician, and his wife Doreen, a primary school classroom assistant. A younger brother, Charles, was born two years later. She was educated in Aberdeen, at Byron Park Primary School and Westerton Primary School, and later Northfield Academy.

Career After graduating Davidson worked part-time running workshops for primary schools at Aberdeen Science Centre (then known as Satrosphere). But in 2001 she joined retailer HMV's graduate recruitment programme, working as a manager in stores in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Under Davidson's leadership the team also developed Careers Hive, which reached 3,000 pupils in 2020 at a life event at the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh. The programme featured workshops and advice from industry professionals on getting into careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths). She also sought to break down barriers to engagement with science running programmes through community centres and similar organisations, running programmes such as Great Plate, a workshop focussing on health, wellbeing and nutrition.

She died from cancer in November 2020.

Personal life She and her partner Susan, who she met whilst working at HMV, lived in Edinburgh.