Women in tech get Qld government boost

Women have received support from the Queensland government to continue with their science and technology research while on maternity leave.

The government has so far assisted 185 women researchers, who were able to continue their research during maternity leave or by having the government cover the cost of their childcare.

“It makes me so proud to see Queensland women behind pioneering medical innovations, world-leading discoveries in plant science and exciting new cancer treatments,” said Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy Leeanne Enoch.

“The Advance Queensland Women’s Academic Fund supports female researchers to balance their research careers with their personal responsibilities and supports Queensland organisations in promoting the achievements of female researchers.”

Since the program opened in August 2015, the government has supported 125 women with maternity funding and 52 women with career funding, and provided eight grants for lecture funding.

“It’s more important than ever to retain, develop and progress our women researchers, and their important work in Queensland,” said Enoch.

“Australian women currently comprise fewer than one-in-five senior academics, a situation that means a big segment of our top talent is simply not making it through the system.”

At the 20th Annual Women in Technology (WiT) Awards in Brisbane, Enoch presented the Sue Wickenden Award to Dr Carrie Hillyard and Bernadette Hyland.

Hillyard is currently an angel investor and chairman of Fitgenes and FizzioFit and deputy chairman of the Mater Medical Research Institute, while Hyland is the founder and CEO of 3 Round Stones Inc.

WiT co-president Kristy Simpkin said this year’s finalists demonstrated some of the amazing achievements women have attained in the technology and life sciences sectors.

“Not only have they achieved in their field of technical expertise, but they’ve also had an impact on their own organisations and the community — locally, nationally and globally,” Simpkin said.

Image credit: ©FreeImages.com/Mario Alberto Magallanes Trejo

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