Superstars of STEM | Science and Technology Australia

Superstars of STEM aims to smash society’s gender assumptions about scientists and increase the public visibility of women in STEM. STA started Superstars of STEM to create a critical mass of celebrity Australian female scientists and technologists - role models for young women and girls – and to work towards equal representation in the media of women and men working in all fields in STEM.

Over five years we will have equipped 150 female scientists and technologists with advanced communication skills and provided them with genuine opportunities to use these skills – in the media, on the stage and in speaking with decision makers.

Request a Superstar speaker

Meet the 2019/20 Mentors

Meet the 2017/18 Superstars

Meet the 2017/18 Mentors

About the program

Working with participants over two years, the program strives to;

Support 60 women employed in a range of roles in science, technology, engineering and mathematics to become highly visible public role models;
Build the public profile of 60 women employed in STEM through training in public speaking, media and communicating with influence and through creating opportunities to practice their newly acquired skills;
Empower participants to share their story and their work with general audiences by equipping them with advanced communications skills and an understanding of traditional media, social media and story-telling.
Smash imposter syndrome and build confidence in a range of professional settings, participants will learn how to communicate with influence, in their workplaces, in the media and with leaders and politicians.
Directly encourage young women and girls to study and stay in STEM, by program participants speaking with them in their schools and workplaces and by providing prominent public role models for them to aspire to.

OUR IMPACT

Exceeding expectations, our first 30 Superstars achieved the following in their first 12 months.

330 million

people reached

1400+

media mentions

70%

experienced career
progression

12 000+

kids engaged
(see map for locations)

MEET OUR SUPERSTARS

Dr Cathy Robinson
Dr Madeline Mitchell
Dr Sharna Jamadar
Felicity Furey
Dr Eva Plaganyi-Lloyd
Dr Kate Selway
Dr Teresa Ubide
Dr Juliette Tobias-Webb
Dr Verena Schoepf
Dr Anita Goh
Dr Alexandra Thomson
Dr Roberta De Bei
Kate Cole
Dr Melanie Macgregor
Dr Sharon Hook
Dr Jennie Mallela
Dr Verity Normington
Dr Deborah Bower
Dr Helen Salouros
Erin Hughes
Dr Katie Sizeland
Elaine van Bergen
Dr Lizzy Lowe
Dr Muneera Bano
Dr Sarah Pearce
Dr Caroline Moffat
Dr Phoebe Meagher
Dr Yanni Chin
Carolyn Thomas
Dr Amy Coetsee
Dr Sonja Dominik
Bonnie Coxon
Dr Laura Kuhar
Dr Susanna Cramb
Dr Kalinda Griffiths
Dr Kari Pitts
Dr Caroline Moul
Dr Onisha Patel
Dr Charis Teh
Dr Erin Rayment
Dr Devika Kamath
Professor Asha Rao
Dr Kudzai Kanhutu
Dr Natasha Hurley-Walker
Jacqueline Tate
Associate Professor Kate Fox
Dr Georgia Ward-Fear
Dr Steph McLennan
Dr Beena Ahmed
Kylie Bridger
Dr Kirsten Ellis
Dr Samantha Grover
Dr Iona Novak
Narelle Underwood
Dr Joanne Lackenby
Dr Linden Ashcroft
Associate Professor Heidi Smith-Vaughan
Dr Ellen Moon
Dr Teresa Wozniak
Dr Bianca Capra

Program Alumni

At the conclusion of each program participants will be provided with support materials and advice to enable them to continue to grow their public profile and with suggestions and opportunities to build on the professional relationships they’ve established with one another. Participants will be strongly encouraged to continue their mentoring relationships. STA will continue to provide opportunities for alumni such as ad hoc speaking and media opportunities where available.