The NHMRC Fellowship Scheme consultation has now closed. You can read the EMCR Forum’s submission to the consultation (PDF).
Women comprise more than half of science PhD graduates and early career researchers, but just 17% of senior academics in Australian universities and research institutes. The SAGE Initiative is a program of activities designed to improve gender equity in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) sectors. In November 2014 the Academy hosted the SAGE Forum to understand areas of critical impact on gender equity in STEM. A key proposal of this Forum was to undertake an Australian Pilot of the Athena SWAN Charter, a UK program to evaluate, address and provide accreditation on gender equity policies.
In August 2015, the Academy will launch a two-year pilot of the Athena SWAN Charter involving 16–20 Australian universities, medical research institutes and government science organisations.
The Early- and Mid-Career Researcher (EMCR) Forum launched the Inspire Australia Research Competition in conjunction with Thinkable.org to support early- and mid-career scientists and showcase innovative research being performed in laboratories and universities across Australia.
Applicants submitted a short video explaining their research to a wide audience (entries closed 14th July, 2015). The videos are being judged by a panel of invited judges and the general public, who can vote online (voting period: 15 July – 31 July). We encourage you to get online today, view the videos and vote for your favourite.
Members of the public, businesses, organisations and companies can also donate money to increase the final prize pool.
The Australian Government has recently released a call for submissions to its Vision for a Science Nation, and they want ideas and feedback from industry, the research and education sectors and the wider community on a long-term strategy for boosting Australia’s STEM capability. The report builds on recommendations from Australia’s Chief Scientist, Professor Chubb, for a strategic approach to science and its related fields.
The EMCR Forum will be writing a submission, taking into account your input and ideas.
If you would like to make an individual submission, you can do so via the Department of Industry and Science's online consultation hub.
If you are in Canberra in August then show your support to a fellow EMCR who has undertaken the massive task of charting the successes of women in Australian science. The League of Remarkable Women in Australian Science shares the amazing stories of 40 highly-successful female scientists who have followed their passions, despite the hurdles they faced along the way.
The exhibition is the brain-child of Anne-Sophie Dielen, a postdoctoral researcher at the ANU college of Medicine, Biology and Environment. She has in her ‘free time’ undertaken an interview project with a range of women in science in order to inspire the next generation of girls to become scientists. These interviews will form the basis for an exhibition as part of National Science Week.
In association with the exhibition, a discussion panel chaired by Professor Brian Schmidt and the Hon. Karen Andrews MP will be held in the lecture theatre at CSIRO Discovery on 19 August to talk about the issues about gender balance in science and what can be done to improve things.
An e-book will also be generated from the exhibition with interviews of all 40 scientists. It will be sent to high schools and universities to help engage young female students who are interested in science by showing them that they can do whatever they set their minds to.
The exhibition will be free and held at CSIRO Discovery Centre from 5 to 31 August.
Brought to you by ‘The Australian’ in association with Shell and with the support of the federal Department of Industry and Science, the $65,000 The Australian Innovation Challenge awards are helping to push some of the nation’s best ideas to commercialisation or adoption.
The five professional categories open to specialists (including scientists, engineers, technologists, educators and innovators in community services) are:
The professional category winners will receive prizes of $5,000. The overall winner will receive a further $25,000.
Details on how to enter can be found at theaustralian.com.au/innovationchallenge. Entries close Monday 17 August 2015.
Applications are open for the inspiring women fellowships offering female researchers in STEM fields funding to return to research after a career break. Researchers must be based in Victoria and have between 3-7 years FTE professional post-doctoral experience.
The fellowships are offered through VESKI and the selection panel will be drawn from members of government, industry and academia from Victoria’s science, technology and innovation sectors.
Applications close 6 August and all the information to apply can be found on the VESKI website.
The EMCR Forum supports local events, such as the recent presentation by Professor Jenny Martin on gender equity, at local universities around Australia. If you have a great idea and are interested in hosting such a local event, then let us know via email or Twitter (@EMCRForum).
Are you passionate about issues facing early- and mid-career researchers? Do you want to help drive initiatives that support EMCRs? The EMCR Forum will be putting out a call shortly for new members to join the Executive. Keep watching ‘Pathways’ and follow us on Twitter (@EMCRForum) for more details.
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