In2science was thrilled to receive an invite from the Royal Society of Victoria to attend a panel event to commemorate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. The Royal Society of Victoria is a prestigious organisation that has been promoting the advancement and communication of science since its creation in 1854. On Friday February 21, members of the In2science team travelled to Victoria’s Parliament House in the heart of Melbourne to attend this forum, entitled “The Solutions of the Future”. Hosted by ABC science journalist and presenter Natasha Mitchell and livestreamed on the Parliament of Victoria website, this event brought together three inspiring women working in various STEM disciplines to discuss the future of health, climate, and energy in Australia.
The forum was opened by Parliamentary Secretary for Education Nina Taylor MP, who spoke about the way incorrect and outdated gender stereotypes can negatively impact female students and the careers they aspire to. Ruwini Cooray, who recently completed a PhD in neurogenetics, discussed the many and varied challenges she has faced while getting her biotech start-up off the ground. Ruwini spoke with such passion and determination about her vision of creating safe, permanent brain implants leading to a cure for debilitating brain disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and dementia. Climate scientist Dr Kim Reid displayed sincere enthusiasm for educating the public about climate change and spoke fondly of the different directions a career in STEM can take you – even to a performance at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival! Dr Morley Muse provided fascinating insight into the future of renewable energy and discussed her work on promoting gender equity in STEM, an ongoing issue raised in Nina Taylor’s opening speech.
These inspiring panel members were quizzed by the event’s attendees – female high school students from Tech Schools all around Victoria. Whittlesea, Banyule Nillumbik, Hume, Ballarat, and Wangaratta Tech Schools were represented, as well as the Science Gallery Melbourne STEM Centre of Excellence. The students asked extremely thoughtful, insightful, and sometimes tough questions about facing challenges, getting over the fear of making mistakes, best advice received, work/life balance, and even what ice cream flavour each discipline would be!
In2science would like to thank the organisers of this event: the Parliament of Victoria, Inspiring Victoria, and the Department of Education. We would like to extend a special thank you to Royal Society of Victoria CEO Mike Flattley and President Rob Gell. We were honoured to be a part of this event. Please click here to view a recording of the panel on the Parliament of Victoria website.
