Government funding for STEM superstars
A further $2 million in funding is being delivered by the federal government to advance girls and women in STEM.
The Superstars of STEM program will enable 120 more brilliant and diverse women in STEM to increase their media profiles and career success over the next four years, helping in turn to inspire the next generations of girls and young women into these crucial fields.
Since 2017, the program has fast-tracked the profile and careers of 150 Australian female scientists, dismantled gender stereotypes about what a scientist looks like and inspired tens of thousands of school children to consider studying STEM.
An evaluation report highlighting the success of the program is being launched.
Science & Technology Australia CEO Misha Schubert said the Superstars of STEM program was “starting to powerfully ‘shift the dial’ on women’s under-representation in STEM and deliver more equity and diversity of scientists in public life”.
“We know it’s hard to be what you can’t see. By nurturing these diverse visible role models of women in STEM — in the media, in public leadership and in our schools — this program powerfully shows girls and young women that STEM is for them.
“At its heart, the Superstars of STEM program is about brilliant women scientists lifting each other up to be visible public role models and inspire our next generations into these crucial careers.”
The evaluation report was launched by twin events with Science Minister Melissa Price at Western Australia’s Pawsey Supercomputer facility and an online national event with the Australian Government’s Ambassador for Women and Girls in STEM Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith.
The evaluation report of the program’s impact from 2019 to 2021 shows more than 21,000 Australian school students have been inspired by school visits and talks by the Superstars of STEM.
The program has elevated the profiles and fast-tracked the careers of Superstars, reaching cumulative media audiences of 83 million people through more than 4000 media appearances from July 2020 to June 2021.
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