The search is underway for the next Superstars of STEM

The search is on for 60 outstanding women working in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) who want to become prominent role models for the young Australian community, as part of Science & Technology Australia’s (STA) Superstars of STEM program.

Nominations are now open for the second round of the program, which supports and trains women in all areas of STEM — and at all career stages — to share their passion with the Australian community through the media, social media and on stage. The aim is to change public stereotypes and encourage girls to study and pursue a career in STEM, with fewer than 20% of quotes about science in the media currently attributed to women — a figure at odds with the 50/50 rate of graduates from Australian universities.

“Before we started the program, we knew that when Australians thought of a scientist they usually thought of a white-haired man in a lab coat,” said Professor Emma Johnston AO, President of STA.

“In the media and on stage, our Superstars of STEM are living examples of impressive and capable women who work on farms and in robotics labs, write code, develop cutting-edge medicine, predict natural disasters, dig at archaeological sites, and so much more.”

Last year’s inaugural program saw 30 Superstars announced. Now the federal government has granted the program $1.3 million in funding over four years in order to enable its expansion, with Minister for Jobs and Innovation Michaelia Cash saying the aim of the expansion is to boost the participation of girls and women in STEM education and careers.

“Women in particular face real challenges in the science sector, with women representing only 16% of university and VET graduates in STEM,” said Cash, who attended the launch event as part of National Science Week last week.

“Through seeing women holding the most senior science positions in the country, and through programs like the Superstars of STEM, we’re working to increase the public visibility of women working in STEM to change attitudes and to inspire young women to follow in their footsteps.

“I encourage women in STEM fields across Australia to apply.”

Professor Johnston said the program has already made some great progress, noting, “In the first 12 months, our inaugural 30 Superstars of STEM reached more than 11,000 high school students through face-to-face presentations at schools and were featured in more than 600 prominent news stories across Australia.

“They also said their confidence in building social media profiles and speaking on public stages jumped significantly, and most of the participants have also had promotions, awards and other exciting opportunities for career progression.”

STA CEO Kylie Walker said the organisation welcomes applications from a diverse range of capable, passionate and articulate women in STEM from all disciplines and at any stage of their career, with a particular focus on encouraging women from underrepresented groups to apply.

“We particularly welcome women working in underrepresented disciplines such as IT, geoscience or maths, as well as members of minority groups such as Indigenous Australians, people with disability, people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, and LGBQTI+ people,” she said.

“STA firmly believes that science and technology can only be strengthened by embracing a diversity of experiences and perspectives. We’re keen for the Superstars of STEM program to reflect those values.”

Applications close at midnight on 23 September. Successful candidates will be named in December, before commencing their two-year stints as Superstars of STEM in January 2019.