Women in Science
Women in Science
"The world needs more women in Science. Today women are leaders in many fields of science, research, and discovery but there is still a distance to travel before there is gender parity in these roles. We are committed to creating more opportunities for women across all of our disciplines."
Professor Jordan Nash, Dean, Faculty of Science
Science Gender Equity and Inclusion
Gender equity and inclusion seeks to provide equal opportunities and equal expectations for individuals, regardless of their gender, race, culture or sexual identity.
Associate Professor Christen Mirth, Associate Dean, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, School of Biological Sciences
“Like many other women in Science, I have found myself on the unfortunate side of unconscious bias throughout my career. While rarely deliberate, I understand how everyday sexism can erode your self-confidence and tire you out. For women and non-binary people with intersectional identities, the effects of unconscious bias amplify, increasing the burden. I work with a team of committed, energetic staff on the EDI committee to raise awareness of equity, diversity, and inclusion, to promote active allyship, and to create change in workplace culture. Our yearly International Day for Women and Girls in Science event plays an important role in highlighting the important contributions of our excellent female and non-binary scientists and aims to promote a culture of inclusion where everyone is valued.
Dr Felicity McCormack, School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment
"Being a woman in the geosciences can be challenging due to gender inequities and underrepresentation of females in these careers. These challenges are largely systemic, and there's a lot of research out there on how institutions can improve diversity and inclusion for women. In my own career, I've found it helpful to build a solid support system and to find excellent mentors. The importance of celebrating an international day for women in science cannot be overstated: it showcases achievements of women in science, champions diversity, and provides inspiration for all generations.
Professor Jessica Purcell, School of Mathematics
"On this UN International Day of Women and Girls in Science, I celebrate the triumphs and tribulations that define my journey as a female mathematician. I've navigated challenging computations and complicated theorems, and achieved many successes that defy the stereotypes of earlier generations. Yet, challenges persist. Women are still underrepresented in mathematics, and improving this requires that we continue to overcome gender biases, and advocate for equality. In mathematics, each theorem proved and every mathematical frontier explored is a testament to resilience. Today, I stand not only as a mathematician but as a symbol of possibility for aspiring women in science. Let’s celebrate this day by acknowledging the strides made and inspiring a future where diversity is the cornerstone of scientific excellence. Happy UN International Day of Women and Girls in Science!"
Associate Professor Vanessa Wong, School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment
“Let's reflect on the importance of making science inclusive for all today on the UN International Day of Women and Girls in Science. The exclusion of certain demographic groups and the perpetuation of inequality are detrimental to the scientific community, and places constraints and barriers on our collective pursuit of knowledge and breakthroughs. Recognising this, I am committed to embedding the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion into our scientific practices and workplace. By fostering an environment that embraces diversity, we promote fairness and inclusion in our science to make a larger collective impact in our scientific discoveries. Happy UN International Day of Women and Girls in Science, as we commit to building a more inclusive and vibrant scientific landscape together!”
Associate Professor Kay Hodgins, School of Biological Sciences
“Celebrating the UN International Day of Women in Science highlights the imperative of embracing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) within the scientific community. It's not just a moral obligation; it's a crucial step for unlocking the full potential of scientific endeavours. The synergy of diverse teams amplifies scientific rigor, brings forth unique perspectives, and diminishes biases. Inclusivity becomes a beacon that sparks inspiration for future generations, aligning seamlessly with ethical imperatives. Prioritising EDI ensures the creation of a just, innovative, and impactful scientific community. This, in turn, benefits researchers and society alike, as it addresses intricate challenges and propels the frontiers of knowledge.”
Dr Grace Causer, School of Physics and Astronomy
“My work contributes towards a sustainable future by improving the efficiency of electronic devices. I research new materials to lower the energy consumption of devices used in communication technologies. Currently, our phones, laptops, televisions etc. account for 8% of the total electricity used on Earth, with this amount doubling every 10 years.
Women scientists are particularly important in the achievement of the UN sustainable development goals as their participation ensures diversity in research and enables a gender balanced approach to reaching these goals. I love my work because each day is different. Sometimes I can be working in the lab fabricating and characterising new materials, other times I can be performing complex experiments at state-of-the-art facilities located around the world. If you are curious about the world around you, then a career in science is perfect for you.
I believe there are no barriers for women to pursue a career in science. A career in science requires self-motivation, intelligence, dedication and hard work. There will be setbacks along the way, but setbacks are part of any career, and they will only make you a better scientist.”
Dr Mengting Zhao, School of Physics and Astronomy
“The best things about a career in science are the opportunities to learn about progress in science, exploring nature, and being able to contribute to our understanding of new materials.Even today, the number of women scientists is still limited compared to other areas. Full and equal participation in science for women and girls can play a vital role in ensuring diversity in research, expanding the pool of talented researchers and bringing in fresh perspectives. This would definitely help us to achieve the UN sustainable development goals.
Long-hour working hours and achieving work-life balance can be a challenge for women in science. Women scientists should be supported to develop attributes such as self-confidence, and their hard work and dedication should be balanced with support for childcare, and a supportive work environment. I work on developing new electronic materials for faster and more efficient computing that will have a meaningful impact on future next-generation information technologies. This will save electricity consumption on information technology and will help with sustainable goals.”
Dr Karolina Matuszek, School of Chemistry
“Women scientists play a vital role in the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) because they bring diverse perspectives, ideas, and approaches to scientific research and problem-solving. Representation of women in science is important because it leads to more inclusive and comprehensive research and decision-making. Moreover, women scientists also ensure that the development goals are inclusive and responsive to the needs of all members of society, particularly those who have been traditionally marginalised.
But women scientists face many challenges including: gender bias and discrimination, limited representation in leadership roles, work-life balance challenges, limited role models and mentorship opportunities. Building a strong network of female colleagues and mentors, seeking out opportunities for professional development and leadership training, being proactive in self-promotion and advocating for oneself would all help to overcome some of the challenges in science that women face. My work is related to SDG 7, which aims to ensure access to affordable and clean energy. I am researching new phase change materials that can be used to store renewable energy.
Phase change materials collect large amounts of energy during phase transitions, such as from solid to liquid, and release that energy upon cooling and crystallisation. This technology has the potential to be implemented on both large and small scales, reducing costs and increasing the efficiency and viability of large-scale renewable energy projects, thus decreasing the use of fossil fuels. This is one of the many benefits of a career in science: we can make new discoveries that contribute to the advancement of society, solve complex problems, and improve our understanding of the world.”
Dr Scarlett Howard, School of Biological Sciences
“I use bees as a model for creating novel solutions to problems and exploring challenges. For example, I investigate how native bees have adapted to environmental change across time and landscapes to predict future vulnerabilities and develop support structures. This has implications for food security, climate change, and creating sustainable landscapes. Alongside this research, I study honeybee cognition to determine how small brains handle complex problems, with applications to energy efficiency, AI, and education.
Everyone has a role to play in addressing the challenges we face as a society and supporting the environment around us. We can only develop the best solutions to challenges when we work with diverse perspectives and give space for people to have a voice. We are facing some significant challenges, but with communication and collaboration, we can tackle arising issues with innovative and informed solutions. Many of the challenges people face in science can be lessened by having a strong and supportive community around them – friends, collaborators, bosses, supervisors, family, and colleagues. My advice is to find your place with people who support and respect you, then face the challenges together.
A career in science can be very rewarding. I get to wake up each day with an eagerness that inspires me to solve new problems and make incredible discoveries about the world around me. And I am privileged to contribute to improving our future and sharing knowledge about the natural world.”
Associate Professor Kellie Tuck, School of Chemistry
“There is unconscious bias against women in science – it’s harder to get grants, harder to publish papers and harder to be heard. These challenges unfortunately are likely to continue in the short term. My advice is don’t give up and also make your voice heard. Having more women in leadership roles, on boards and committees and the creation of equity committees has started to improve the situation for women in science.
Women scientists have fantastic and highly important skills. They also often have the additional skills of excellent communication, empathy, and the ability to multitask. This unique skill set is an asset to science. Women can contribute to key research findings in a range of areas, including those aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).In our research group we make bespoke functional compounds that have real-world applications. These include sustainable renewable surfactants that can replace petroleum-derived surfactants found in detergents, lubricants and fabric softeners (SDG 3, 11 and 13). We are also interested in new pharmaceuticals that can be used in the treatment of cancer and chronic pain (SDG 3). For the treatment of cancer we are developing theranostics, where the agent can both diagnose and treat the tumour.
The most exciting aspect of working in science is waking up each day and not knowing what you are going to learn or discover. You also get to work with bright, and enthusiastic scientists. And you can follow your passion by researching the unknown and contributing to global issues which you can influence and change for the better.”
Associate Professor Ruth Reef, School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment
“I am an Associate Professor of Coastal Science and an Associate Dean of Education at Monash University’s Faculty of Science. Much of my work relates directly to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) particularly in areas such as life below water, life on land, sustainable cities and communities and climate action.My research focuses on climate change and sea level rise impacts on coastlines and in part how coastal vegetation can mitigate flooding and erosion while providing carbon sequestration and fishery benefits to local communities.
I do not think scientific performance is defined by gender but having scientists represent humanity in all of its diversity helps identify what type of knowledge we are seeking to uncover as a society and improves how we communicate and inform society of scientific findings.To be successful in implementing the SDGs we need to be inclusive of all society members to ensure everyone is educated and empowered to make the changes we need to carry out to minimise the impact of extremism and the power of small self-interest groups.
A career in science is a career about discovery and knowledge creation. Women face challenges in science all over the world due to long entrenched gender inequality. In Australia I believe the main challenge for women in science is to be heard: in terms of inclusion, communicating findings, getting funding for research, and getting spaces to carry out research both physical and temporal. Other challenges are more culture-specific such as confidence and visibility barriers for women who have been raised to believe in a strong gender divide.”
Dr Ngan Le, School of Mathematics
“Achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires not only political will and investment, but also policies informed by evidence. Aademics and researchers have an important role to play since policies and strategies based on science are more likely to succeed. Female scientists help increase diversity in the workforce to gain a variety of perspectives and ideas to tackle complex issues across a range of sectors including climate change and SDGs. The common challenges for women in science are lack of work-life balance, visibility, recognition and networking.
My top tips to achieve work-life balance are time management, avoiding distractions and setting boundaries between your personal and professional life.I also highly recommend that you get involved with presentations and that you take part in scientific conferences which will provide you with opportunities to increase networking, recognition from colleagues and potentially open doors to future careers prospects.
My current research centres on numerical analysis of stochastic/deterministic nonlinear partial differential equations (PDEs) such as equations describing transport dynamics in complex systems, fluid flow and modelling of dynamics in ferromagnetic materials and anomalous sub-diffusion problems. These fields lie on the interface between three domains: computational mathematics, stochastic analysis and analysis of PDEs. In particular, my research aims to design novel numerical methods, grounded in rigorous mathematical foundations, that deliver robust approximations of highly non-linear models with or without random perturbations modelling physical uncertainty.”
Dr Joanne O'Donnell, School of Biological Sciences
“The best part about a career in science is being able to work on problems that I find interesting and that I care about. My days are never the same, and I have a lot of flexibility in what I do. It’s also exciting to learn about new things that have never been discovered. Women scientists are particularly important in the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as the best outcomes in any problem require different ideas and input from diverse populations. Having said that though women in science face unique challenges, for example, they are disproportionately affected by family responsibilities. Finding supportive networks inside and outside the workplace are critical to managing a research workload, and finding enjoyment at work. Time management is key in balancing the work-life juggle.
I am a researcher in the Hypertension Laboratory. High blood pressure affects one in three adult Australians and is the main risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke. Inflammation and immune system activation is an important influence of high blood pressure. Our group found that a diet high in fibre can lower high blood pressure.
I want to understand how fibre does this – specifically, how fibre lowers inflammation to reduce high blood pressure. This is important because lowering blood pressure in people will decrease their chance of cardiovascular disease, reduce the chance of death and increase quality of life in older age.”
Dr Amelia Dominguez Celorrio, School of Physics and Astronomy
“A career in science enables you to contribute to society by doing research with the aim of improving our quality of life. As with other professions, when a woman occupies a leadership position she is often criticised and there are expectations that she makes an extra effort to prove that she deserves the role. Also, as we are socialised in a male-led society, we unconsciously think that these positions are not for us. This translates into less women applying for leadership roles. To overcome this, economic and social support should be provided to encourage women to apply for leadership positions.
It should be recognised that women’s contribution to the achievement of UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is just as important as their male counterparts – but we shouldn’t expect women to contribute more to the achievement of these goals. My research is focused on the characterisation of a relatively new class of materials named topological insulators. These materials conduct the electricity only along their edges, in one direction and without loss of energy due to resistance. This converts topological materials into perfect candidates to develop electronic devices more efficient than the current silicon-based electronic devices.”
Dr Dionne Ibarra, School of Mathematics
“Female scientists are important role models to aspiring women scientists. Women and girls with the desire to become scientists feel empowered and represented when they learn about successful women working in science. However, in many societies around the world women are still faced with challenges from lack of access to education and limitations to starting a career due to becoming caregivers at an early age. My advice is that it is never too late to pursue a career in science.
Throughout history women have overwhelmingly taken the role as a caregiver. As caregivers they carry additional knowledge and skills which benefit their careers as scientists and their capacity to provide evidence to the areas that need immediate impact, such as climate change. A career in science is great because it allows me to be a part of something greater than myself. I help contribute to advancements in the knowledge of our world and the universe to make a significant positive impact on the world we live in.
My research involves connecting knot theory and algebra to statistical mechanics which is known as the third pillar of physics. Another part of my research consists of using knot theory to study 3-manifolds which has potential to study the universe through a theory that our universe is a geometric 3-manifold.”
Diana Robledo-Ruiz, School of Biological Sciences
“The best part of a career in science is being able to help generate solutions for the great issues in the world, for example, the conservation of biodiversity. Getting to play detective by following clues to discover new facts is also a very cool part of being a scientist!
One of the biggest challenges for women is trusting their own capabilities and recognizing their own potential. My advice? Just go for it. Apply to that scientific program, volunteer to give that talk, nominate yourself for that prize. Sometimes doing your best is all it takes.”
Dr Anindita Samsu, Research Fellow, School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment
“Working on a scientific question that no one has the complete answer to is both exciting and humbling. I draw so much joy from pursuing this with other scientists with different skillsets and backgrounds. Every day brings opportunities to learn from others. Women often feel the pressure to do it all and to do it well, even though this is unsustainable. We need to share the load, foster collaborative networks, and build alliances to achieve the best outcomes, whether it’s for a project, our career, or achieving gender equity.
I investigate how the Earth’s solid outer layer breaks when tectonic plates move apart or collide. Understanding where and how fractures form can show us where earthquakes are likely to happen, where we can extract natural heat from deeper parts of the Earth instead of using energy from fossil fuels, and also where to look for the mineral resources that make up our infrastructure and technological tools. The pandemic has taught us the importance of communicating our science well, in order to build public trust in science. Scientists alone cannot ensure a safe and equitable future for everyone. It takes the trust and support of the non-scientific community to overcome global challenges.”
Isobel Romero-Shaw, PhD candidate, School of Physics and Astronomy
“A career in science gives you the freedom and privilege to devote your life to expanding the collective knowledge of humanity, in any small way that you can, and to be surrounded by people who have the same passion and curiosity. One challenge for women is that there are fewer non-male celebrated scientists: it can feel like you are an anomaly and can be quite isolating. Finding other like-minded women is key to overcoming this. For example, I am a member of Homeward Bound, a women's leadership initiative that gives me hundreds of inspiring contacts in STEMM fields.
My work helps us to understand the 'invisible' parts of the Universe. I study black holes: the compact remnants of dead stars. Sometimes, black holes collide with each other, sending out ripples in space-time called gravitational waves. We detect these ripples using kilometer-scale antennae, and I analyse them to work out how the objects met. Science is crucial to improving lives. The pandemic has shown us the dangers of unclear science communication... It's also taught us the incredible things that scientists can do in a crisis, like inventing multiple vaccines for a completely new virus.”
Associate Professor Amanda Karakas, School of Physics and Astronomy
“Science allows you to study how the world works. Scientists ask fundamental questions, such as where did the elements in the universe come from? It is also amazing to be able to inspire the next generation of scientists. Challenges for women in science include dealing with unconscious bias in the workplace and juggling family and career. My advice is to speak up speak up and not be afraid to take credit for your work, and to follow your passion even if that includes a career in science and a family!
My research seeks to understand the lifecycle of stars and the origin of elements in the universe. The processes that make stars shine also synthesizes heavier elements from lighter elements. Once a star dies some of those newly synthesized elements are sent into space, so I am also interested in how stars disperse their newly made elements and how the chemical element content of galaxies has increased over cosmic time. Science has been particularly important during the pandemic. The obvious example is the quick response of the medical research world which enabled the development of highly effective vaccines. But science and technology have also given us a highly connected world, where we can work, teach and study from home.”
Dr Felicity McCormack, Senior Lecturer, ARC DECRA Fellow, School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment
“As an Antarctic scientist my work takes me to one of the most breathtakingly beautiful places on Earth. I love combining my passion for science with my love of nature, using my mathematical skills to describe and understand the physical processes that cause glaciers to flow.
But being a woman in science is not without challenges! Women are often subject to structural and cultural norms that disadvantage them in the workplace. My advice is to surround yourself with people who will fly your flag when you might be too shy, and who will support, encourage, and build you up. I also highly recommend looking for opportunities to be mentored.
COVID has shown us that excellent science is as important as it's ever been, but on its own is not enough: we need high quality scientific literacy in the community. Scientists can play a role in that, and in inspiring others through stories, so that we can change the world.”
Dr Sridevi Sureshkumar, ARC Future Fellow, Head Epigenetic Mechanisms, School of Biological Sciences
"A career in science gives you the freedom to think. As a biologist I like to look beyond the horizon and tackle scientific challenges. Whilst I am a scientist, I am also a mother of two children, and I understand the challenges that go with that. My advice to women in science is to approach challenges pragmatically, try to let go of being a perfectionist in everything you do. I used the career breaks during motherhood to continue my passion for science by attending short workshops on developing grant writing skills and studying how my colleagues wrote their grants, which equipped me to win a national fellowship.
My research focuses on Arabidopsis thaliana - a plant model which we use to study genetics. Genetic information is stored in DNA and made of chemical units called nucleotides. Due to environmental disruptions and some unknown molecular mechanisms these chemical units multiply, expand rapidly, and are known to cause a growing number of human genetic disorders. We have discovered similar problems plants. It is my hope that we can use the knowledge from the plants to manage of human genetic disorders."
Vanessa Wong, Associate Professor Soil and Land Management, School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment
Associate Professor Vanessa Wong is a soil scientist at the School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment. “The challenge for women in science is overcoming the systemic biases and barriers that currently exist to limit women's and girls' participation, advancement and promotion in science and science-based careers. Visibility matters - I hope that engaging with students and communicating with the public will allow more women and girls to identify with women scientists, while also working on how we can redefine the criteria on which a successful scientist is assessed against. I’m a soil scientist and I study how land management practices and environmental change affects the belowground soil processes such as biogeochemical cycling in agricultural, mining and natural environments.”
Dr Ailie Gallant, Senior Lecturer, School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment
Dr Ailie Gallant is a senior lecturer at the School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment and the Deputy Director of the Monash Climate Change Communications Research Hub. “The challenge for women in science is that there is still a long way to go in overturning invisible biases, ingrained misogyny, uneven caring responsibilities, pressure to stay silent about harassment, and the seniority bottle neck. The journey toward change has only just begun. I hope I can contribute to change by being a voice for those who need one, and by being proactive in empowering everyone to bring equity into the workplace by changing their own practices and recognising their own innate biases. My work involves trying to understand why it rains less during droughts by looking at how weather systems change. I look to see if rain-bearing weather systems disappear, whether they rain less, and how systems like heatwaves influence drought."
Dr Vanessa Kellermann, Future Fellow, School of Biological Sciences
Dr Vanessa Kellermann, is a Future Fellow, at the School of Biological Sciences. "The challenge for women in science is to have the confidence to overcome bias, not just gender bias but your own unconscious bias, for example imposter syndrome. My research examines whether insects differ in their vulnerability to climate change. Do species vulnerabilities differ depending on the type of environments they occupy and can we predict which species will be the most at risk to climate change? I hope to change people’s perspectives on the important contributions that insects make to our environment.”
Dr Carly Cook, Lecturer, School of Biological Sciences
Dr Carly Cook is lecturer at the School of Biological Sciences. A conservation scientist her research is focused around improving the use of science in environmental management decisions. “My advice to a female who aspires to a career in Science or Science study is to embrace maths because it’s central to everything we do in Science and can be your greatest tool,” says Dr Cook.
“But most importantly, do what inspires you, because that’s how you’ll remain motivated during the difficult times in your career. I try to understand the level of integration of science in decision-making, the barriers to better integration and to design decision support tools that can facilitate the uptake of science. I hope my research makes the world a better place by giving decision makers the tools to make more successful management decisions, and when unsuccessful, to learn from their actions to improve their effectiveness in the future. Dr Cook’s research has revealed that 1,500 protected areas in Australia have had their protection reduced or removed all together over the past 20 years. “And we now have a shameful record in clearing native vegetation,” she says. “I would love to understand how we can get the public engaged with conservation again, so they can pressure governments to reinstate or increase protections for biodiversity.”
Meet Andrea Robinson
Chemistry is an art for Professor Andrea Robinson. She loves designing and creating complex molecules with real world use. This includes a synthetic form of insulin that doesn’t require refrigeration - offering huge potential to diabetic patients in third world countries.
Meet Ros Gleadow
Professor Ros Gleadow is a plant biologist who studies the effect of climate change on food security, with a focus on plants that make cyanide as a herbivore defence, examining the issues from the molecular through to the ecosystem, and even global scales.
Meet Anne Peters
Biologist Professor Anne Peters has spent her career studying birds to answer questions about evolution and ecology. For example, she studies the complex lives of Fairy Wrens to monitor their behaviour and discover whether certain traits are genetic or environmental.
Meet Julie Arblaster
Professor Julie Arblaster from the Monash School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment research uses large climate models that run on super computers to understand how the climate around us interacts and changes from day to day and up to century time scales
Meet Meera Parish
Professor Meera Parish from the Monash School of Physics and Astronomy research is exploring the world of condensed matter physics and how quantum mechanics come into play in different phases of matter
Meet Victoria Blair
Dr Victoria Blair from the Monash School of Chemistry lines of research look at the behaviour of simple nitrogen-based molecules and the creation of metal-based drugs to combat diseases and antibacterial infections
Meet Francine Marques
Associate Professor Francine Marques from the Monash School of Biological Sciences is discovering ways that we can treat and prevent the development of high blood pressure through manipulating fibre and the gut microbiota
Meet Kaye Morgan
Physicist Dr Kaye Morgan uses ground-breaking x-ray imaging to examine in real time changes to the epithelium in the lungs in response to treatment for cystic fibrosis.
Meet Jessica Purcell
Professor Jessica Purcell from the Monash School of Mathematics research is in three-dimensional geometry – the type of spaces that when you’re standing inside of them everything looks three dimensional.