By Tahnee Saunders
On October 10 and 11, In2science Program Manager Nicole Butler and I attended the 2024 Diversity in STEM Collaboration Workshop. Held at RMIT University in Naarm/Melbourne, the workshop gathered advocates of diversity and inclusion in STEM from tertiary institutions across Australia and New Zealand. It served as a platform for sharing impactful outreach programs and fostering connections to address the challenges faced by underrepresented groups in STEM. This event was the first of its kind I have attended after leaving my role of medical research scientist at the coal face of research into Parkinson’s Disease and taking on the new role as eMentoring Coordinator with In2science. It was so fulfilling to feel part of a community of passionate and caring people, all offering diverse programs to help everyone feel welcome in STEM fields.
Facilitated by Yemi Penn, an engineer, entrepreneur, and transformation thought leader, the workshop provided captivating sessions and interactive collaboration activities. Yemi is an absolute delight, thank you for reminding us to dream unreasonably and be curious rebels. I think the world needs more curious rebels, who are able to challenge current thinking and not be afraid to say what needs to be said. Yemi does this, while also maintaining a safe space, approaching all potentially uncomfortable situations with kindness and empathy.
Professor Kay Latham, Dean of STEMM, Diversity & Inclusion at RMIT, opened the workshop with a heartfelt speech providing a new perspective on the oft-quoted saying “you can’t be what you can’t see”. Prof Latham shared that this isn’t necessarily true as someone needs to be first and pave the way – as she has done herself. Now, young girls and women can look up to Prof Latham, and see themselves in her. Next up, the attendees presented short pitches about their programs and their involvement in Diversity in STEM. It was fantastic to hear about all the great work being done in this space at various institutions and find more people to connect with. Nicole and I would be lying if we didn’t say one of the big draw cards on the agenda was the “Connect with LEGO” session. I love LEGO, but little did I know how much Nicole loves LEGO, I even found out she has a LEGO passport – which I didn’t even know was a thing! Jokes aside, the “Connect with LEGO” session proved to be an innovative and effective technique for enhancing communication between participants, with some creative builds following the prompt “build who you are outside of your work.”
The research nerd in me particularly enjoyed the super engaging talk from Associate Professor Sarah Holdsworth. Sarah shared her insightful journey of engaging with the construction industry to drive meaningful change for women and transform perceptions among young individuals. Sarah’s impactful work spans various research areas, including Sustainability Education, Sustainable Built Environments, and Diversity and Inclusion in the Construction Industry. Her profound understanding of the challenges faced by women in construction is evident through her instrumental research that has influenced policy changes and cultural shifts within the industry. Sarah’s commitment to fostering resilient communities and promoting gender equality has not only informed key strategies like the Building Equality Policy but has also sparked ongoing dialogues with stakeholders to address complex barriers and drive tangible progress. The model that Sarah and her collaborators have applied to the construction industry is one that can be moulded and applied to other industries in dire need of cultural shifts to ensure all are places where diverse people are valued and can thrive.
During the session “Working with Teachers,” an expert panel featuring Carolyn Drenen from Pascoe Vale Girls College, Ffion Bowles from Dandenong High School (both of whom are involved with In2science), and Broderick Matthews from Questacon, emphasised the crucial role of educators in promoting diversity in STEM. Carolyn’s shoutout to the In2science program during the panel discussion highlighted the impact of our program in her school. The panel discussion focused on the how our programs can adapt to the needs of teachers, in an environment of increasing workloads, changing education needs of children and teens, and teacher shortages. In2science is enabled by the passion of our teachers like Carolyn and Ffion – and as a program, we want to keep improving to remove barriers and burdens on teachers, so more teachers can feel inspired and empowered to implement our program at their schools too.
Throughout the discussions held at the workshop, I gained valuable insights into the importance of co-creation in program design to cater to the specific needs of our target population. Understanding the significance of tailoring programs to address the unique challenges and requirements of diverse groups was a key takeaway for me. This knowledge will be instrumental in enhancing the impact of In2science’s initiatives. Nicole Butler, In2science Program Manager, aptly captured the essence of the workshop with her quote: “The workshop was a great chance to meet up with like-minded people and share ideas to overcome common challenges faced when working in STEM outreach. It was encouraging to see so many people determined to make STEM more accessible, especially to women who often don’t feel safe or accepted in certain areas. I’m looking forward to staying connected with the Diversity in STEM Collective and excited about what we can achieve together.”
Looking ahead, I am excited about In2science’s plan to engage in discussions with our target audiences, including students and teachers, in 2025. This proactive approach aims to ensure that our program remains relevant and effective even after 20 years of operation. By directly involving stakeholders, we can gather valuable feedback, adapt to evolving needs, and continue making a meaningful difference to the students who engage with our mentoring program. The Diversity in STEM Collaboration Workshop was a transformative experience, inspiring a commitment to prioritising inclusivity, collaboration, and continuous improvement in our STEM outreach efforts. I look forward to applying these insights to further enhance the impact of In2science and contribute to a more diverse and equitable STEM landscape.
Thank you to Tara Graves, Maddy Yewers, Ngoc Nguyen, and the team at RMIT for hosting this event. Photography credit: Ashish Narwade.
