BAMOS
Dec 2019
News
My year as a superstar
Linden Ashcroft, Email: [email protected]
Lecturer at The University of Melbourne and
Superstar of STEM
A constellation of Superstars at the Prime Minister’s
Prizes for Science in October. Source: Anita Goh
A maths professor from Melbourne. An agricultural scientist
in Armidale. A radio astronomer at the University of Western
Australia. And an AMOS climate scientist.
These are just four of the 60 current Superstars of STEM, charged
with changing the future for women in science.
While women generally make up 50% of STEM students and
early career scientists, the balance in many fields of science,
technology, engineering and maths declines the further you
go. Women in senior STEM positions are outnumbered 4 to 1 by
men, meaning our leadership is sorely lacking in diversity and
representation.
Additionally, two thirds of science commentary presented in
Australian media is provided by men. This bias can cause the
next generation of female scientists to think that STEM is not
for them.
To address these disparities, Science and Technology Australia
(STA) developed the Superstars of STEM program, which aims
to smash the gender stereotypes in STEM and increase the
visibility of women across these professions.
The original cohort in 2017 consisted of 30 women in STEM
fields across Australia. This year, the program expanded to 60
participants, including me!
So what have I learnt after a year in the STEM cosmos?
• There are amazing women doing inspirational things in Australia.
I applied to be part of the Superstars of STEM program partly to
meet inspiring women from across the country, and I have not
been disappointed. The cohort includes early career researchers
from all fields, medical doctors, engineers, start‑up developers,
company directors, senior leaders and even a Surveyor General. A
number of Superstars run non‑for‑profit outreach organisations
on top of their full‑time jobs while also raising children! I must
admit I suffered from extreme imposter syndrome during our
first meeting.
• But, imposter syndrome happens to everyone. Regardless of
age and level of seniority, most of us struggle to feel that we are
worthy of our success. What I’ve gathered so far is that getting
rid of imposter syndrome is nigh on impossible. But, you can tell
it to shush and then get on with what you want.
• There are many ways to tell your story. Many of us may feel
our career paths are linear and boring. But for future scientists,
sharing tales of success or failure, and most of all sharing passion
for what we do, can be really inspiring.
• Things are still hard for women. I’ve heard jaw‑dropping stories
in the past 12 months of gender discrimination and disrespect
directed at Superstars across the STEM community, making us all
more determined to counter this outdated behaviour.
In this first year (of the two-year program), we received training
in media, making a difference online, networking, and how best
to tell our story. We have also been partnered with mentors, and
have attended events including the PM’s Prizes for Science and
Science meets Parliament. It also wasn’t lost on me that while I attend invaluable training
sessions across the country and visit schools, my male colleagues
are often in the office, finishing off their manuscripts or grant
applications. This can have the unwanted effect of meaning
more work for women which makes it even harder for them to
succeed! While I am very grateful to be part of the program, I
look forward to a time when such activities don’t need to exist.
Next year, we are sent out in the world, with a goal of visiting at
least 300 schools between us, and trying to get our research—
and the fact that STEM is for everyone—on the public agenda. After an inspirational year of getting to know my fellow
Superstars and learning how to speak up, I am excited to share
my passion for AMOS sciences with whoever will listen.
The 2019–2020 Superstars of STEM at training in
Melbourne in November 2019.
Source: Science and Technology Australia (STA)
I encourage you to find a Superstar in your area (including
me if you live in Melbourne) and invite them to speak at your
child’s school or local community group next year: https://
scienceandtechnologyaustralia.org.au/list/2019‑superstars/.
You never know what it might spark.
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