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Brianna Gordon
From an early age I have always wanted to be a scientist, mixing bubbling, smoking concoctions. As I grew older my understanding of science matured, as I began to understand the integral role that science plays in our everyday life. Inspired by this understanding, and the role I could play as an Indigenous woman I obtained a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Chemistry and Pharmacology and am currently undertaking a PhD in Environmental Chemistry.
Money was tight growing up, but my parents and grandparents worked incredibly hard to ensure I and my sisters got a good education. They instilled in me the value of education and it is why I became a founding board member of the Western Australian Young Chemists Society with the aim of supporting students. I owe so much to them. It is because of my family that I have been able to achive a lot of success at a young age, including representing Indigenous Australian's at COP27, a flourishing career as a scientist with the Australian Federal Government, and a PhD investigating mercury pollution on Guniakurnai land with ANU.
It is this last position that has given me an incredible insight into the integral role science plays in our government, and how it is necessary to craft impactful policy. With this insight I have been working with global Indigenous leaders to ensure that Indigenous voices and traditional science is heard and acknowledged in climate change policy. This includes in policy perspectives and delegate recommendations