“An exceptional opportunity to drive cultural change” - Women in STEMM Australia is honoured to be part of an ATSE-led consortium to elevate women’s leadership in STEM.
Women in STEMM Australia congratulates the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE) on being named the lead organisation for the Australian Government’s 7-year $41.2 million “Boosting the Next Generation of Women in STEM” fund announced today by the Hon. Melissa Price MP, Minister for Science and Technology in the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources.
ATSE’s transformational program, named ‘Elevate’, will award up to 500 undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships to women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Elevate will foster women-led applied research collaborations between industry and academia, strengthen professional skills and business expertise of women in STEM, extend networks and propel women into senior leadership.
Elevate will be administered and delivered by ATSE as the lead organisation working with a consortium of partners, including Women in STEMM Australia. ATSE and its partners will consult broadly and co-design a high-quality program spanning industry, academia and government to upskill women with STEM qualifications, research, and business, so they can lead and shape a dynamic Australian STEM sector.
Women in STEMM Australia’s co-chair, Professor Madhu Bhaskaran, co-leader of the Functional Materials and Microsystems Research Group at RMIT University, said,
“Women in STEMM Australia is proud to partner with ATSE on the Elevate program. This is an exceptional opportunity to drive positive cultural change throughout the STEM ecosystem.”
Co-chair, Sarah Chapman, a Prime Minister Prize winning secondary teacher and head of department at Townsville State High School, is delighted to hear about this program.
“Elevate is greatly needed and will be able to reach into rural and regional areas of Australia and help support senior high school students so they can pursue a STEM degree at University,” said Chapman.
“Women in STEMM Australia is proud to partner with ATSE on the Elevate program. This is an exceptional opportunity to drive positive cultural change throughout the STEM ecosystem.”
ATSE CEO Kylie Walker said the program will be a game-changer for creating a diverse, inclusive, and vibrant STEM ecosystem that can attract, retain and progress girls and women into STEM education and careers.
“The Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering is delighted to partner with the Australian Government in implementing this game-changing and STEM workforce culture-shaping program.”
Elevate is designed around three pillars – undergraduate and postgraduate education and impact; skills building, mentoring and networking; and leadership to increase the influence and profile of women in STEM.
Women in STEMM Australia connects girls and women in STEMM regardless of their discipline or profession, and advocates for gender equity, diversity, inclusion and allyship in STEM. Cofounder and co-chair, Dr Marguerite Evans-Galea AM, is also IMNIS Executive Director at ATSE and will lead their new Elevate program. She said,
“Working with standout colleagues, I am excited to lead this novel program within ATSE. It is such a highly regarded organisation that interfaces with academia, industry and government. ATSE also has outstanding expert networks of Fellows, industry professionals, and partners.
“Drawing on every aspect of my own STEM experience and leadership, I look forward to collaborating with ATSE’s networks and partners and the broader sector to develop a high impact program. We are all strongly committed to fostering a vibrant and inclusive STEM ecosystem in Australia.”
***
ATSE media contact: Edwyn Shiell, Director, Strategic Communications [email protected] | 0402 254 968