Ahead of International Day of Women and Girls in Science, 11 February 2023, Monash University experts are available to discuss how women and girls can boost their access and participation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields. This year's theme focuses on the Sustainable Development Goals.
Professor Katya Pas, Associate Dean Research, Faculty of Science, Monash University
Contact: +61 3 9903 4840 or media@monash.edu
The following can be attributed to Professor Pas:
“From laboratories to field research, women scientists have played pivotal roles in addressing global challenges aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. Our endeavours in chemistry, environmental science and allied disciplines are critical in advancing solutions for a sustainable future.
“The diversity of our perspectives and the richness of our collective intelligence empower us to make meaningful strides towards achieving these ambitious goals.
Associate Professor Christen Mirth, Associate Dean, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Faculty of Science, Monash University
Contact: +61 3 9903 4840 or media@monash.edu
The following can be attributed to Associate Professor Mirth:
“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, Senior Research Fellow, School of Earth Atmosphere and Environment, Faculty of Science, Monash University
Contact: +61 3 9903 4840 or media@monash.edu
The following can be attributed to Dr McCormack:
"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."
Associate Professor Vanessa Wong, School of Earth Atmosphere and Environment, Faculty of Science, Monash University
Contact: +61 3 9903 4840 or media@monash.edu
The following can be attributed to Associate Professor Wong:
“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 place 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, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Director, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Monash University
Contact: +61 3 9903 4840 or media@monash.edu
The following can be attributed to Associate Professor Hodgins:
“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 rigour, 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.”
Professor Jessica Purcell, School of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Monash University
Contact: +61 3 9903 4840 or media@monash.edu
The following can be attributed to Associate Professor Purcell:
“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.”
Associate Professor Natalie Trevaskis, Head of Lymphatic Medicine Laboratory and Co-Chair Her Research Matters, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Contact +61 438 302 558 or media@monash.edu
The following quotes can be attributed to Associate Professor Trevaskis:
“Women make up only ~17 per cent of senior scientists in Australia, yet more than half of science PhD graduates and early career researchers are women. Research shows that high-performing women are connected to powerful, supportive women-led networks – this is why my colleagues established Her Research Matters, which is all about overcoming barriers to career progression.”
“Her Research Matters actively engages the next generation of scientists, along with addressing gender inequity at senior levels. Since its inception in 2019, the proportion of women Associate Professors and Professors within Monash’s Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences has increased from 20 per cent to 36 per cent.”
Read more about Her Research Matters on Monash Lens, web and Twitter
Associate Professor Rashina Hoda, Associate Professor (Software Engineering) and Associate Dean (Equity Diversity and Inclusion), Faculty of Information Technology
Contact: +61 450 501 248 or media@monash.edu
Read Associate Professor Hoda’s commentary at Monash Lens
The following can be attributed to Associate Professor Hoda:
“The UN International Day of Women and Girls in Science is an opportunity to remind us of all the amazing contributions of women to the STEM community and also to remind us to better support girls and women in STEM, especially those from diverse backgrounds and underrepresented communities.
“On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, I encourage you to look up Margaret Hamilton, Burçin Mutlu-Pakdil, and Gladys West, as just three of many women who have made foundational contributions to STEM.”
Dr Faezeh Marzbanrad, Head, Biomedical Signal Processing Research Lab, Faculty of Engineering
Contact: +61 3 9903 4840 or Faezeh.Marzbanrad@monash.edu
Read Dr Marzbanrad’s commentary at Monash Lens
- Dr Marzbanrad is currently engineering a solution for more intuitive foetal heart monitoring that was born out of personal experience.
The following can be attributed to Dr Marzbanrad:
“Promoting greater representation of women in engineering is pivotal for integrating their unique perspectives and needs into solution design. By embracing diverse voices and experiences, we empower engineering to serve and uplift all individuals, transcending long standing barriers to gender-inclusive innovation."
For any other topics on which you may be seeking expert comment, please contact the Monash University Media team on +61 3 9903 4840 or media@monash.edu
