Member Login - Account - Logout

Science and Technology Australia
  • Home
  • About STA
    • About Us
    • Executive and governance
    • Reconciliation Action Plan
    • Policy Vision
    • Policy Wins
    • Work for us
  • News and Publications
    • Latest news
    • Submissions, reports and publications
    • 2025 STA Federal Election Priorities
  • Our Programs
    • Science Meets Parliament
    • Superstars of STEM
    • Super STEM workshops
    • STEM Ambassadors
    • Parliamentary Friends of Science
    • Science Policy Fellows Alumni
  • STA Membership
    • STA Membership
    • Our Members
    • Member How-to Guides
    • Login to member portal
    • Register for member portal
  • Contact
  • Home
  • About STA
    • About Us
    • Executive and governance
    • Reconciliation Action Plan
    • Policy Vision
    • Policy Wins
    • Work for us
  • News and Publications
    • Latest news
    • Submissions, reports and publications
    • 2025 STA Federal Election Priorities
  • Our Programs
    • Science Meets Parliament
    • Superstars of STEM
    • Super STEM workshops
    • STEM Ambassadors
    • Parliamentary Friends of Science
    • Science Policy Fellows Alumni
  • STA Membership
    • STA Membership
    • Our Members
    • Member How-to Guides
    • Login to member portal
    • Register for member portal
  • Contact
3 July 2017

Superstars to smash science gender stereotypes

collage of all the Superstars of STEM

30 female scientists and technologists have been named the first Superstars of STEM – ready to smash stereotypes and forge a new generation of role models for young women and girls.

More than 300 applicants vied for a spot to be a Superstar, with the successful candidates to receive training and development to use social media, TV, radio and public speaking opportunities to carve out a more diverse face for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Announced today by the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Senator the Hon Arthur Sinodinos AO, the women will learn how to speak about their science and inspire others to consider a career in STEM.

Science & Technology Australia President-Elect, Professor Emma Johnston, said studies in the USA and other countries similar to Australia had shown female STEM professionals were significantly under-represented.

“Superstars of STEM is the first program of its kind and will prove vital for the future of STEM in Australia,” Professor Johnston said.

“Often when you ask someone to picture or draw a scientist, they will immediately think of an old man with white hair and a lab coat.

“We want Australian girls to realise that there are some amazing, capable and impressive women working as scientists and technologists too, and that they work in and out of the lab in places you might not expect,” she said.

“Science and technology have made our lives longer, happier, healthier and more connected – with more girls considering STEM careers, we have the potential to achieve so much more.”

Professor Johnston said the participants in this world-first program hailed from nearly every state and territory; from the public, academic and private sectors; and from all sorts of scientific and technological backgrounds.

“Participants are working in archaeology, robotics, medicine, cider research, pregnancy health, education, psychology and so much more,” she said.

“We have forensic scientists, biologists, mathematicians, agricultural scientists, neuroscientists, engineers, cancer researchers, ecologists, computer scientists, and chemists – just to name a few.”

Professor Johnston also acknowledged the support that will allow the program to thrive, including vital funding through the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science’s Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship grant program.

“Over the next year, we look forward to working with partners like Women in STEMM Australia; the Australian Science Media Centre; GE and many others to provide these 30 Superstars with valuable communications skills and opportunities to use them,” Professor Johnston said.

“We will be working to make sure you’ll be seeing many more women on your TV screens, hearing them on your radios, and reading about them online.”

“We also hope to support many more women in the years to come by extending Superstars of STEM beyond its pilot year. The universal popularity of the program in its inaugural year shows there is great interest for it to continue.”

The Superstars of STEM program will also include a mentoring component, designed to link participants with inspiring women in their sector who can provide insights into leadership in their field. Participants will also be required to share their stories at local High Schools to ensure they are connecting with young Australian women with an interest in STEM.

Of the final 30, 8 are from Victoria, 8 from New South Wales, 5 from South Australia, 5 from Queensland, 2 from Tasmania and 2 from the ACT. You can meet them by heading to the Superstars of STEM page.

Media contact: Dion Pretorius | dion.pretorius@sta.org.au | 0418281777

Share
australia female gender equity gender issues science scientist Superstars of STEM technologist technology women in STEM
Previous StoryUnzipping the role of gene technology in Australia
Next StoryScience & Technology Australia sets strong course for next five years

Related Articles

  • Ed Husic Superstars launch 2023
    Superstars of STEM 2023 announcement by Minister for Industry & Science Ed Husic MP
  • Superstars_2022_montageWEB_230314
    Meet Australia's newest Superstars of STEM

ABOUT US

Science & Technology Australia (STA) is Australia’s peak body in science and technology. We represent more than 235,000 scientists, engineers and technologists. STA is an influential voice for evidence and expertise in public policy.

Recent news

  • Congratulations to STA President Sharath Sriram – new Chief Scientist of Western Australia
  • Nominations open: Join an STA Committee or the new Friends of the Chair initiative.
  • Congratulations Labor – now let’s build an Australia powered by Australian ideas

Our members

  • All Members
  • Agricultural and Food Sciences
  • Aquatic Sciences
  • Biological Sciences
  • Chemical Sciences
  • General Science and Technology
  • Geographical and Geological Sciences
  • Mathematical Sciences
  • Medical and Cognitive Sciences
  • Physical Sciences
  • Plant and Ecological Sciences
  • Technological Sciences

Search for news

Most popular

  • Budget 2025: R&D the answer to Australia’s seismic challenges
  • Congratulations Labor – now let’s build an Australia powered by Australian ideas
  • R&D investment a sure bet on the future
  • Congratulations to STA President Sharath Sriram – new Chief Scientist of Western Australia
  • Nominations open: Join an STA Committee or the new Friends of the Chair initiative.

Sign up to our newsletter

Science and Technology Australia Limited (STA) (ACN 664 679 056 and ABN 71 626 822 845) is a company limited by guarantee. STA was formerly known as Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies Inc and was authorised under section 82 of the Associations Incorporation Act 1991 (ACT) to transfer its registration under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) to its new company structure on 3 January 2023.

STA PRIVACY POLICY

OTHER STA POLICIES

ACNC Registered Charity Logo

Copyright © 2024 Science & Technology Australia. All Rights Reserved