Alanis advocates for better visibility and participation of women in Scottish Parliament.
30 Under 30
30 Under 30
30 Under 30 is our annual campaign to celebrate young women, girls and non-binary people in Scotland who are making changes in their lives, communities and wider society.
Left to right: Alyssa Faulkner, Alice Cruickshank, Gemma Smith and Khadea Santi from 30 Under 30 2024
Every year, 30 Under 30 celebrates young women and girls from across Scotland who are making change in different ways.
In our previous lists, you’ll find:
- Campaigners and activists
- Up-and-coming journalists and broadcasters
- Artists and writers
- Athletes and sportspeople
- Community organisers and advocates
- Charity workers and volunteers
We established the list in 2016 to address the lack of diverse representation of young women in Scotland on other 30 Under 30 lists.
Nominate someone for 30 Under 30 2025
Nominations are open until Monday 2nd June, 9am.
30 Under 30 2024
Meet our most recent 30 Under 30!
Through our ninth edition of the list, we are delighted to introduce you to 30 young women and girls, aged 13–30, who are leading change and excelling in their fields. From campaigning to kickboxing, arts to community work, you’ll find 30 inspiring stories in this year’s list.
The young women and girls on 30 Under 30 2024 were chosen from the nominations we received earlier in the year by an expert panel made up of representatives from The Young Women’s Movement, Young Scot, Youth Link and our advisory collective of young women. Half of the panel had previously been featured on 30 Under 30 themselves.
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Alice is a journalist, presenter, and producer, who has spent her career telling stories.
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Alisha is a global activist pursuing justice and law at the University of Glasgow.
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Alyssa is a dedicated Diabetes activist, campaigning for better healthcare and services.
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Beth is the CEO of Dundee-based youth mental health charity ‘Feeling Strong’.
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Daniela is an MSYP dedicated to anti-racism and uplifting young voices in Renfrewshire and Scotland.
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Eilidh is a dedicated and medal-winning Kickboxer and student aged 17 from Aberdeenshire.
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Eireann is an inspirational activist tackling inequalities and injustices rooted in her own lived experiences.
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Elsie is proud to be a dedicated role model, active citizen and member of Girlguiding.
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Emily is an activist and volunteer supporting autistic women & non-binary people across Scotland.
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Grown and raised in Springburn, Emma has always had a passion for her local area.
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Working as a young female in STEM roles, Emma is passionate about breaking down barriers.
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Emma is an early-career theatre producer based in Musselburgh.
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Eva is a social activist focused on anti-bullying, youth mental health and youth advocacy.
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Gemma is a Linguistics Student and Steering Group Member for The National Leadership Network.
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Grace is a 21 year old final year law student and campaigner.
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Heather is an award-winning citizen designer and founder of a small and inclusive business.
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Izzy is a dedicated neurodivergence and disability consultant, advocate, and activist.
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Jasmine is the founder, president and coach of Gender Goals Trans/Non-binary Football Club.
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Josephine is a pop and session musician, hailing from the Scottish Highlands.
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Khadea is an artist, arts educator, and curator.
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Maya is a confident and ambitious young woman who enjoys advocating on behalf of others.
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Millicent passionately advocates for social justice, sustainability, and inclusivity.
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Natalie is the founder of Girls Who Walk Dundee, tackling loneliness and social isolation.
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Poppy is currently a high school student at the International School of Aberdeen.
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Rhiannon works at The STAR Centre: Rape Crisis Ayrshire as a support worker.
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Safiyah has been working on her rights work since she was eight years old.
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Shafa is a youth advocate/ campaigner, interested in policy reform and representation for underrepresented communities.
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Shannon is employed by OPEN, Shetlands first youth-led and youth-governed charity.
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Tasnim is a researcher-activist and consultant with a particular interest in intersectional disability justice.
From the blog
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Tasnim Hassan, a Disabled researcher-activist, talks about the important connection between disability justice and feminist movements.
- 30 Under 30
- Rights
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Maya McCrae talks about how young women are more likely to be impacted by imposter syndrome, and her experience of this in the workplace.
- 30 Under 30
- Work and careers
- Young Women Work
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Emma Roberts talks about the importance of mentorship, training, and employee networks for young women in the workplace, particularly in STEM roles.
- 30 Under 30
- STEM
- Work and careers
- Young Women Work
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I only recently learnt that I am autistic. And even though I experience Alexithymia (sometimes I struggle to identify, recognise and then communicate my emotions), my feelings about late discovery are contradictory, conflicting and colossal.
- 30 Under 30
- Rights
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In July 2024, Scotland was the first of the four nations of the United Kingdom to incorporate the UNCRC. This means children’s rights are now protected under Scots Law. This was celebrated as a historic moment: Scotland was leading the way. But what about adults?
- 30 Under 30
- Rights
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I wasn’t always comfortable with my identity as an adoptee. Even now, I’m not sure I can confidently own this part of myself, simply because so much of my life has been torn between three worlds.
- 30 Under 30
- Rights
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Would you like to start writing, but don’t know where to begin? In this blog, Jenny Lester from our 30 under 30 2023 list, gives us a quick guide on how to start the process!
- 30 Under 30
- Top tips
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How can chattiness be used to develop a career in science communication? In this blog, Amy Lee Shergold from our 30 under 30 2023 list, discusses how she found her niche within her scientific career.
- 30 Under 30
- STEM
- Work and careers
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Guest blogger Jenny Lester reflects on soon turning 30, by asking friends, family and colleagues of different ages to impart advice and knowledge about this stage of life, where they are now, and what’s to come.
- 30 Under 30
- Healthy relationships
- Work and careers
