Last year the EMCR Executive Committee elected three new members to the leadership team. Meet them below.
Research Fellow, the University of Melbourne
Naarm (Melbourne) on Wurundjeri land | They/Them
@TahaSciencing, LinkedIn
Two years.
This is a challenging question because as a queer and trans person of colour pursing a STEMM career, I don’t really have a peer or a good sample of people to look up to or who I consider a guiding light, which is my vision of a good leader.
This leaves writers like Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou, James Baldwyn, Chinua Achebe, Khalil Gibran, Bill Hooks, Audrey Lorde, Zora Neale Hurston, and many more—some alive and some long gone. People who spoke truth that was courageous at the time and even today. To me, that is leadership; being unafraid in the face of people and systems that would like nothing more than for me and my own to give up.
I am also inspired by the queer community, which despite being a target for much hate, still manages to be nothing but excellent—from the people who are pushing boundaries in and outside STEMM, to the people who manage to stay defiant in the face of hate.
How I measure my performance; I’ll divide that into the things that I consider are the parts of me that I hold dearest. STEMM-wise, I like to have fun. If I am doing dope things in the lab and learning new things, I am happy, and I am performing well. Honestly, there is this moment when you’re trying to solve a problem you can’t solve then it happens, the veil is lifted, and it just seems so obvious. That is the best euphoria there ever is.
LGBTQIA+ inclusion-wise, I measure my performance by how many rooms I bring this conversation to and giving people pause when considering progress, so we don’t leave anyone behind. LGBTQIA+ people deserve to live in peace and achieve their dreams, period. I’m yet to meet anyone who would say they disagree. Once they agree you tell them how they can help and that’s where you really start to succeed. Literature-wise, as long as I write non-STEMM things for at least 2 hours a week I am happy. That is my home and my peace. I’ll have nothing compromise that.
Recently, I finished writing a collection of poems, which was hard because I never actually learnt literature past school or what I read. So, there was much self-doubt but when I typed the last letter, I knew it’s finished and that I could do it. Funny how I had to do it first before I believed it. STEMM is like that also. We do it, then it’s possible.
Most decision makers, funding bodies, government, and industry want to do the right thing, but they don’t have early- and mid- career researchers in their ranks. That’s where we come in. We knock on doors and tell them what we need for the future. People with more information make more informed decisions, plain and simple. Keep in touch because we are the voice and platform of many and because we are the future, as corny as it sounds. I am reminded by Jane Hirshfield’s poem Let Them Not Say’.
Research strategist, Canberra
Ngunnawal and Ngambri land | He/Him
@charliewmorgan, LinkedIn
One year, since 2022.
Recently I have been most inspired by the leadership of my close friends and colleagues who are parents and balance the demands of parenting with increasing demands at work.
Last year I moved to Canberra and started a new role in research strategy. The last seven months have been full of new challenges and unfamiliar tasks every week. In that regard, it isn’t too dissimilar from my years at the bench as a chemical biologist. One of the attractive and engaging parts of the position is that I am pushed to learn new things, bring new groups together, and provide strategic research advice.
I enjoy the newsletter for the different perspectives and profiles it highlights. It helps me to get out of my bubble. I benefit by staying informed and connected to national level discussions that impact and shape the barriers and opportunities for Australian EMCRs.
Researcher, group leader and academic teacher, Macquarie University, Sydney
Dharug Country, Land of the Wallumedegal people | She/Her
@AngelaSLaird
This is my second year.
My PhD supervisor Professor Phil Waite; she was so good at providing her team with opportunities, as well as inspiring us and teaching us every day.
By whether those I work with are happy.
Last night I tried etching for the first time. I found it to be a very satisfying and hope to continue working on the artwork that I started!
Fantastic newsletter with collated events and opportunities! Possibility to be involved in positive change!
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