In Australia there is a loss of female talent in the scientific workforce, resulting in a chronic under-representation of women, particularly in senior positions.
- In 2014, women accounted for 63% of all applications for NHMRC’s early-career fellowships, but this figure fell to just 11% for NHMRC’s most senior and experienced fellowships.
- Within the sciences at Australian universities, only 17% of level D and above positions are held by women.
- In 2012, 12% of senior scientists at CSIRO were women.
- Nine out of 10 PhD graduates will leave academic research - most between the ages of 35 to 50 - and the majority will be women.
It is 45 years since Germaine Greer published The Female Eunuch and half a century since the ‘bra-burning’ events of the 1960s, yet what has been achieved? Currently the gender pay gap in Australia is 17.1%. This is terrible - but even more horrifying, the gender pay gap in the ‘professional, scientific and technical services industry’ is 26.6% (according to a 2014 report released by the Australian Government’s Workplace Gender Equality Agency). This report says that the professional, scientific and technical services industry is the most proactive in addressing pay equity, with 58.3% of organisations reporting they had conducted a gender pay gap analysis; but even so, the industry has the third-largest gender pay gap of all industries.
Why are women leaving their scientific careers?
Poor remuneration is probably not the main reason and certainly not the only reason why women leave scientific careers.
Casualisation of the academic and research workforce has eroded job security for both women and men. Mid-career researchers are simultaneously at the time in their lives when they are purchasing houses and starting families and they want income and job security. The system of short-term contracts and never-ending grant applications does not create an environment where scientists can feel secure in their employment future. Researchers cannot ‘plan forward’ either personally or professionally because of the uncertainties caused by reliance on funding which is short-term.
This results in a huge waste of the public funds that were spent on these scientists’ undergraduate and postgraduate education. As a society we need the scientists we train to actually use their training.
What can be done to halt this waste of talent?
In the UK, the Athena SWAN Charter is a national scheme that recognises and rewards excellence in women’s employment in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine, in the UK’s and Ireland’s higher education and research organisations. The charter requires institutions to not only collect data about their existing initiatives and policies, but then to critically analyse these data to uncover the reasons for the under-representation of women in their institute. Different departments must develop an action plan to address these issues, which fosters a tailor-made approach that fits the needs of that organisation. An organisation’s application to the charter is peer reviewed and receives an award - gold, silver or bronze. From next year onwards, medical schools in the UK will no longer be shortlisted for Department of Health research funding unless they have a silver award. The charter is unique because it requires ongoing evaluation and improvement over time.
The Australian Academy of Science has set up a new national initiative - the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) Forum. This forum has consulted with the sector and is now looking to develop a pilot program for the Athena SWAN Charter in Australia.
On 18 March, the National Health and Medical Research Council announced a new gender equity policy to support the retention and progression of women in health and medical research. The revised Administering Institution Policy aims to address the under-representation of women in senior research positions across Australia and applies to all institutions that receive NHMRC funding.
Institutions will have until the end of 2015 to update their gender equity policies and submit them to NHMRC for consideration. Under the revised Administering Institution Policy, institutions should have:
- a strategy that addresses the under-representation of women in senior positions in health and medical research;
- mentoring and skills training strategies that promote and seek to increase women’s participation;
- the provision of parental/maternity leave and carer’s leave, and transitional support to encourage return to work;
- working arrangements that cater for individuals with caring responsibilities;
- remuneration equity between men and women with the same responsibilities;
- employment strategies that encourage the recruitment, retention and progression of women in health and medical research; and,
- strategies to address the need for the provision of support for childcare.
All submissions will be reviewed by NHMRC in 2016 to ensure the policies are acceptable.
NHMRC CEO Professor Warwick Anderson said he was delighted to be able to introduce the policy.
“If we want to be able to solve the great health challenges facing us today, we need to retain and support all of our most talented researchers. It is not acceptable to see half of our talent go to waste,” Professor Anderson said.
The revisions and requirements were developed following extensive consultation with the research sector and follow NHMRC’s survey of existing policies last year.
“By and large, this sector is highly responsible and wants to do the right thing by their staff. But unfortunately when the statistics show that women are leaving research in numbers that increase drastically over the course of their careers, I think we can all acknowledge that we all need to do more,” Professor Anderson said.
Other initiatives could include:
- Every research position advertised should include a part-time option.
- Funding agencies should allow applicants to choose if they want their grant application to be assessed on past performance or on the quality of the proposed research.
- Career disruptions need to be taken into account.
- Strong, meaningful mentoring.
- Career path for women re-entering the scientific workforce.
- Funding should only be available to institutions that have gender equity policies in place.
Women taking the initiative themselves - Franklin Women
Franklin Women is a new professional community for Australian women working in health and medical research careers. (It is named after scientist Rosalind Franklin, who has an amazing story.)
The overarching mission of Franklin Women is to contribute to the retention of women in the health sciences, whether it is in traditional academic roles or those outside of academia. They hope to go about this by building a community of like-minded women who can offer each other support and opportunities and then investing in these women through various events and initiatives.
Medical research scientist Melina Georgousakis founded Franklin Women because she wanted to connect with other women in the health sciences from different institutes and in different roles.
“There seemed to be a number of professional groups for women in other industries such as business, information technology and engineering, but there is no independent peer-driven professional group for women working in the health sciences and more specifically, in health and medical research,” Melina said.
“But, like in other professions, there are gender inequalities within the health sciences. In academia, the disparities between genders increase with career progression, with fewer women holding senior scientific positions than men. The grant-based funding system, as well as cultural barriers within the field and society in general, contributes to this. The result is scientifically trained women looking for alternative careers, often outside of the science field, because of a perceived lack of skills and/or opportunities to transition into scientific roles outside of academia.”
Since Franklin Women launched last year, women working across broad health science fields, in diverse roles and at all career levels have joined the community. These women have come together at three events in Sydney with the plan to launch events in other states and territories soon. Through their events, Franklin Women not only want to provide opportunities for networking but also personal and professional development outside of the technical sciences that isn’t typically provided through scientific training. In February, Franklin Women launched their first scholarship, a travel scholarship with a difference. The funds are to provide support for child care while the researcher, who is also a primary carer of children less than 5 years of age, is attending a conference in their field. The recipient will be announced next month.
Franklin Women is set up as a social enterprise organised by women in health sciences to invest back into women in the health sciences. They are excited to be a part of the current national and international focus given to the promotion and support of women in scientific careers. Their grassroots approach is just one part of the solution. Wonderful things are also being done at a national level with peak bodies such as the National Health and Medical Research Council and The Australian Academy of Science Early and Mid Career Researchers Forum leading changes in policy and groups such as Women in Science Parkville Precinct (WIISPP) making changes at the institute level.
To join Franklin Women or to find out more about the group, visit franklinwomen.com.au.
Melina Georgousakis
Melina completed her Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Queensland followed by honours and PhD in the Bacterial Pathogenesis Laboratory at The Queensland Institute of Medical Research. Her research focus was on the design and assessment of novel vaccine candidates against the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus) under the guidance of Professors Sri Sriprakash and Michael Good.
During her PhD, Melina was fortunate to be awarded a sabbatical scholarship from the Cooperative Research Centre for Vaccine Technology that funded her placement at a Brisbane science communication firm where she was converted into believing science doesn’t have to be communicated with jargon. She puts this into practice when she visits schools and community groups talking about careers in science.
After a laboratory-based postdoc, Melina moved to Sydney to take up a research position with the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance of Vaccine Preventable Diseases (NCIRS). She is currently a Senior Research Officer within the Government Policy team at NCIRS where her primary role is to provide technical support to the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, the peak national immunisation policy body in Australia. In 2012, Melina was awarded her Masters in Public Health and has since been awarded a conjoint appointment as Lecturer at the University of Sydney School of Public Health.
Clare Fedele
Clare is an early-career postdoctoral scientist currently researching melanoma at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. From a young age she was fascinated by science. Clare completed her BBiomedSci(Hons) and PhD at Monash University, specialising in cancer cell signalling. During her PhD Clare became focused on clinical cancer research and the importance of translating lab-based results into improved management of people with cancer.
Supported by early-career fellowships from the Victorian Cancer Agency and the NHMRC, in 2011 she started the current phase of her postdoctoral research, focused on understanding melanoma adaptation and evolution, with the goal of identifying new therapeutic targets and biomarkers of response.
“As an early-career researcher I find myself faced with the daunting decision of how I want my career to progress. At times this can be a lonely journey, with few people outside of research understanding the challenges that lie ahead. I joined Franklin Women to connect with other women at a similar stage in their careers, to have valuable discussion and to seek support. I also wish to engage with women who have already progressed through this phase, to hear their experiences and gain some inspiration as I forge my own career path,” said Clare.
Dr Clare Stirzaker
Clare is a Group Leader at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, in the Genomics and Epigenetics Division. After completing her PhD, Clare became fascinated by the field of epigenetics and joined the group of Prof. Susan Clark as a postdoc at the Kanematsu Laboratories, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, in Sydney, and later, at the Sydney Cancer Centre at Sydney University. The group moved to the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in 2004 and was established within the Cancer Division.
Clare has since established her own group, which is interested in understanding ‘Epigenetic Deregulation in Cancer’. Clare has made highly significant contributions to the field of DNA methylation and epigenetic deregulation in cancer and has also played an integral role in developing new epigenetic technologies that have underpinned many of the seminal findings of the group. Clare’s research is focused on understanding aberrant epigenetic events in cancer.
Clare first heard about Franklin Women when it was launched in 2014 and joined immediately as a founding member. She was inspired by the ideal of Franklin Women and excited to have an opportunity to join a community of women working in health and medical research related careers, outside of her own workplace. Clare attended the launch event in Sydney in September 2014 and met some wonderful women that evening - Clare was more than ever committed to Franklin Women and supporting the founder, Dr Melina Georgousakis, in her energy and vision to create a networking opportunity for women. As a woman scientist for over 20 years, Clare is thrilled and excited to see the support that such a network will provide to women as they juggle the demands of science and medical research with family life (Clare has three boys!) and importantly, the opportunity for friendships within the wider scientific community.
Melanie Shakespear
The complexity of the immune system working in concert to protect against infection and repair damage has fascinated Melanie since high school biology class. She obtained her PhD in immunology in 2013 and is currently a postdoctoral research fellow at The University of Queensland’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience in Brisbane.
Melanie’s research focuses on a key cell type within our immune system, macrophages, and specifically the role a family of proteins called histone deacetylases (HDACs) plays in regulating macrophage inflammatory responses. Using a novel transgenic mouse model has yielded some unexpected yet exciting insights into how HDACs contribute to inflammation. The group’s collaborators are also developing inhibitors of these proteins, which are expected will be potential anti-inflammatory therapies.
“I joined Franklin Women to connect with other women from a broad range of scientific backgrounds that are working in roles outside of traditional research, and I hope that I can contribute a little from my experiences. I am a mother to two young children (my daughter was born while I was writing my PhD thesis) and the career interruptions have been challenging to re-establish productivity and rebuild connections. The daily juggle of research and children can be tough; however, finding a scientific area that you are passionate about makes it worthwhile,” said Melanie.
Gayathri St George
Gaya is a Research Assistant/PhD student at The Millennium Institute having completed a Master of Science in Medicine degree at the University of Sydney where she majored in Human reproductive health and human genetics. Gaya’s PhD project is looking at non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC), which are the most commonly diagnosed cancers in Australia. Almost 80% of all new cancers diagnosed are NMSC. This project is based on a cohort of subjects with early-onset cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and their controls. It is predicted that these early onset cases would be enriched for all common squamous cell carcinoma risk factors. The aim of this project is to look at these risk factors such as HPV status, clinic pathological features and genetic markers associated with early onset cases. Gaya has also been working on a genetic epidemiology of melanoma project under Professor Graham Mann at The Millennium Institute.
Gaya said she joined Franklin women because “Franklin women is an organisation where women in science are able to share their experiences of being a women in science. It is an organisation like none other. It is a place where I am not only able to get advice/tips from other women who have gone through the same career path but I am able to share my experiences to upcoming women scientists in the field. It is also a great place to network and collaborate and share ideas of your passion in science. The organisation casts a wider net to bring women across all science arenas and not just from academia. This allows us to get exposed to career paths and opportunities that are outside mainstream science.
“Being the eldest daughter and sister of a special needs sister, I guess ‘responsibility’ became my middle name from a young age. Trying to manage the family, my sister’s health issues and my career has been a struggle. There are times where one takes priority over the other. In this modern world, women all over the world are constantly struggling with balancing their career and family and it is important that we get the support from our families, work and each other. It is important to have support networks like FW where we are not only able to share our ideas but our fears, problems and hurdles of getting through life.
“I entered science with a tunnel vision only knowing a certain career path. The advice I would give young women thinking about going into science is explore all the options. There are many roads you can take. Joining societies, network group or organisations with similar interests, you can meet people or get ideas to explore another science career path you have never heard of but might be best suited to you.
Peta Bradbury
“Growing up in a country town in rural NSW, I had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up, but I’m almost certain scientist wasn’t at the top of my list. I was, however, lucky enough to be raised by three generations of the strongest women I have ever met who not only influenced, but also shaped my personality, goals and motivations.
“Currently, I am a PhD candidate at the Kids Research Institute under the supervision of Associate Professor Geraldine O’Neill and study the molecular mechanisms that underpin cancer cell migration. Once again I find myself in an environment surrounded by strong, independent and academically brilliant women. This common theme appears to continually crop up in my life and was probably the reason behind me joining Franklin Women. Throughout my time at the KRI as an RA and now student, I have never experienced any difficulties pertaining to my gender and am hopeful that this will continue throughout my career. My biggest fear at the moment has nothing to do with the fact I am a woman, but instead that I chose to be a scientist given the current research climate. For now, however, I’m going to continue to do what makes me happy and let the future work itself out.”
Associate Professor Kristine Macartney
Kristine is a paediatrician who specialises in treating children with infectious diseases and in preventing disease through immunisation. She works at the Children’s Hospital Westmead and is a conjoint academic at the University of Sydney. Her main role is as the Deputy Director of the Australian National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance.
She completed her medical training at UNSW and then undertook subspecialty training in the USA at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) where she also completed a doctorate in basic science research on rotavirus (the most common cause of gastroenteritis) and novel vaccine candidates. Kristine now leads a team of vaccine experts who support the development of immunisation policy and practice, and heads up a number of national research collaborations. She has authored >70 peer-reviewed publications and is a chief investigator on NHMRC-funded grants research projects, although her salaried position is derived from government funding to the NCIRS.
Kristine joined Franklin Women because she is passionate about women making the most of their careers in science. Her greatest challenges have been balancing her career-related goals with the other great loves in her life - raising three girls and juggling two-career parenting with her ever-patient husband. Moving countries along the way was also a challenge but had huge benefits. She worked part-time for 10 years after the birth of her second child, a period in which she had to adjust her work-related ambitions but learnt a lot of other things! Her advice is not to be afraid to seize and to make new opportunities and to forge your own way, even if its ‘non-traditional’.
Magda Ellis
“I am an early-career researcher in the mycobacterial research laboratory at the Centenary Institute, Sydney. Following my Masters in Genetic Epidemiology (University of Sheffield, UK), I came to Australia to do a PhD at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research to investigate the human genetic susceptibility to parasitic worm infections. All of my fieldwork for this project was done in China where I still run nearly all of my research projects more than 10 years later.
“My main area of research now focuses on tuberculosis (TB) susceptibility and multidrug-resistant TB control. I love my job because of all the different aspects that I get to do from working in the field to the lab as well as all the wonderful places I have been able to travel to. One of the greatest challenges facing researchers today is securing funding, especially if your salary depends on it. I solely rely on the NHMRC for funding and, while I love my job, the lack of job stability is stressful particularly since I had my daughter last year.
I joined Franklin Women to meet link-minded women who face the same challenges from whom I could draw inspiration and extend my network within Australia as well as expose myself to other potential careers in health. I think many women both in and outside of science don’t appreciate their own value in the workplace. If I could offer any advice to women entering research, it would be to believe in yourselves and don’t be afraid to ask for what you need.”
