AIBN Women in Science Series

#AIBNWomenInScience

AIBN is dedicated to advancing the careers of all our researchers.

Our Institute is dedicated to finding solutions to society’s problems; facilitating achievement of gender equality in STEM is an important and necessary part of that vision. The AIBN Women in Science Series was started to create a focus on the work of some of our great female researchers. Over the next few days we will be releasing stories which celebrate and highlight the contribution our female researchers make to the institute.

Gender Equity Fast Facts

Around 50% of PhD science graduates in Australia are female 
(source: Office of Chief Scientist)

Yet only 40% of junior STEM academics are female 
(source: Office of the Chief Scientist)

Just 17% of senior academic positions in Australia are held by women 
(source:  Office of the Chief Scientist)

 

 

Women are underrepresented in R&D in every region of the world 
(source: UNESCO)

 

Only around 30% of researchers around the world are women
 (source: UNESCO)

Globally, only 10 – 15% of high level managers in the tech sector are women 
(source: UN Women)

Only 20% of jobs in the world-wide energy sector are held by women 
(source: UN Women)

Globally, less than 10% of employees in innovation hubs are women
(source: UN Women)

 

 

In 2016, women in scientific fields in Australia earned 23.5% less than their male colleagues 
(source: Office of Chief Scientist

 

The percentage of female STEM graduates in the highest income bracket in Australia (above $104,000) was 12%, compared with 32% for male STEM graduates 
(source: Office of Chief Scientist)

 

AIBN intends to be part of the global concerted effort to achieve gender equality.

To this end, we have established a number of initiatives that align with national and international recommendations to achieve parity as soon as possible.

AIBN has established a Gender Equity Commission (GEC), who are aiming to develop initiatives to address the gender imbalance and make AIBN a leading institute for supporting women in science. The GEC is implementing three initiatives to help support women at the institute.

  • Construction of a dedicated work space with an attached children's play area

  • Development of financial initiatives to support women in science

  • Commitment that 50% of all new senior academic leadership roles will be female

Women in Science Series

  • AIBN intends to be part of the global concerted effort to achieve gender equality. To this end, we have established a number of initiatives that align with national and international recommendations to achieve parity as soon as possible.
  • AIBN is pleased to announce that Professor Debra Bernhardt has been awarded the 2017 Association of Molecular Modellers of Australasia (AMMA) Medal.
  • Dr Shyuan Ngo is a group leader working in the UQ Centre for Stem Cell Ageing and Regenerative Engineering (UQ-StemCARE) at AIBN. She and her team are trying to determine what causes the development and progression of Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
  • Katarzyna Kȩpa is an AIBN PhD student in the laboratory of Professor Darren Martin. Her research focuses on understanding the structure-property relationships of Spinifex-derived nanofiber materials, developing ways to incorporate these nanofibers into cardboard and paper.
  • AIBN group leader Dr Chunxia Zhao is developing novel bio-inspired functional materials for applications in controlled release and drug delivery. 
  • Associate Professor Jessica Mar is a group leader working in Stem Cell Ageing and Regenerative Engineering at AIBN. She and her team are developing new bioinformatics methods to understand how regulatory processes go awry in human diseases.
  • Associate Professor Claudia Vickers is a group leader working in the area of Industrial Biotechnology at AIBN. She uses synthetic biology approaches to answer key fundamental biological questions, and to develop and improve industrial bio-processes.