That Girl Spotlight: Megan Bennett

Anna Acosta
Jan 31
4 min read

Meet Megan Bennett—a writer, international education advocate, and Thomas J. Watson Fellow whose travels across nearly forty countries inspire her speculative fiction, poetry, and advocacy for women in STEAM. Her work blends storytelling, science, and empowerment on a global stage.

You’ve traveled to nearly forty countries—how have those experiences shaped your perspective as both a writer and an advocate for women?

I’ve written on and off since I was a child, but I really immersed myself as a writer while living in Argentina. I started with a single scene and began building characters from there, drawing inspiration from the strength of women I met. I often lean toward the dystopian genre, where I imagine futures where everything that can go wrong, does go wrong; often tied to environmental themes with darker tones.

What I found across all my travels is that while women’s stories differ from country to country, there’s always a common thread: overcoming something, whether that’s stereotypes, societal expectations, or cultural limitations. Each place I’ve visited; Argentina, Chile, and so many others has shaped who I am as a writer. I’m also working on a poetry collection inspired by the cities I’ve traveled to, capturing both the beauty and the contradictions of each place.

Your Watson Fellowship focused on connecting with women in STEAM communities around the world. What’s one story from that journey that has stayed with you the most?

STEAM—science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics—was such a powerful lens to meet women who are often underrepresented in their fields. As a first-generation college graduate, I know how important community and support can be.

One story that stands out is meeting an 18-year-old in Chile who had already accomplished so much on a global scale. Talking with her gave me so much hope and reassurance about future generations of women in STEAM. Another unforgettable moment was hiking in the Andes with an engineer. Beyond the technical conversations, I built a sense of community in the most natural way by sharing space, stories, and strength together.

How do you see science and storytelling intersecting in your work?

I write mostly speculative and science fiction, which allows me to make science feel accessible, not like a textbook, but something with heart and soul. Storytelling brings out the emotion of science, whether through character development or through the plot itself. For me, science and storytelling aren’t separate, but they marry together to help us imagine new futures and better understand our present.

Many of your poems and stories draw inspiration from international places. What’s your creative process for turning those moments into art?

Honestly, I’d describe it as a “chaotic flare.” International travel is full of ambiguity, and I lean into that chaos. Art becomes a way to make sense of entropy. I look for links across cultures and experiences, weaving together characters who embody aspects of different places.

It can be difficult to distill all of those stories, but my process is about finding universal themes readers can relate to, while still honoring the uniqueness of each moment I’ve lived or witnessed.

At In Her Space Journal, our mission is to uplift women’s voices through literature and art. What does “empowerment through voice” mean to you?

It means being active rather than passive, and being an ally who helps create spaces where people feel comfortable expressing themselves. That expression doesn’t have to be verbal. It can come through art, music, writing, style, or even the way someone tells their life story. Empowerment through voice means not just sharing your story, but encouraging others to share theirs as well.

What advice would you share with young women pursuing creative or scientific fields but feeling uncertain about their place in them?

First, acknowledge that you do have a place in those fields. That’s the foundation. Then work on building the confidence to sustain yourself there. I think it’s important to embrace a multidisciplinary life—balancing creativity and science can give you a fuller perspective.

Rapid Fire Questions

Favorite city you’ve written in? Istanbul, Turkey.

Book always on your shelf? Poster Girl by Veronica Roth.

A woman who inspires you? Margaret Atwood.

Follow Megan Bennett for updates on her journey through writing, advocacy, and global education:

Look out for her upcoming piece in IIE Networker Magazine on studying abroad, as well as the release of her two in-progress novels. Until then, you can explore her travel blog, poetry, and speculative fiction on Patreon.

Megan Bennett (she/her) is an international education advocate, writer, Earlham Peace Prize recipient, Global Females in STEAM Club co-founder, and Thomas J. Watson Fellow. Her travels to nearly forty countries inspire her creative writing process and views on life and literature. She is a 2020 Thomas J. Watson Fellow, where she conducted research on connecting with worldwide women in STEAM communities in twelve countries from Argentina to South Korea to Oman to Australia and elsewhere. You can read more about her fellowship at: https://fellows.watson.foundation/2024-Winter/fellows/megan-bennett.html and visit patreon.com/megangailann to view her travel blog, poetry, and fiction. Much like how In Her Space Journal empowers women to find their voice through literature, Megan’s fellowship focused on empowering women to find their voice through the sciences. Megan has a bachelor’s degree in English and Medical Humanities from Earlham College and a master’s in Global Health with an emphasis on International Education from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. She has written on the aspirations and expectations of interactions among host entities in Tanzania and exchange students from Arizona, a poetry collection based on the cities she has traveled to, from Mumbai to Kigali to Kuala Lumpur and more, and is currently working on a speculative fiction piece that was inspired by her international interactions with women in STEAM.