The Women in STEM Ambassador
The Office of the Women in STEM Ambassador is an Australian Government initiative to address gender equity in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Led by Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith, the Office promotes awareness of STEM careers to young people, parents and carers, and works with educators to challenge gender stereotypes and promote inclusive and engaging STEM education for all.
We work with stakeholders across government, education and training, research and industry sectors to drive cultural and systemic change to institutions and workplaces that remove structural barriers and enable the full participation of women and girls in STEM education and careers.
In October 2018, the Australian Government appointed Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith as the inaugural Women in STEM Ambassador, a position outlined in the 2018-19 Budget as part of a $4.5 million package to encourage more women into STEM education and careers.
The Office is funded by a Commonwealth Grant and is hosted at the University of New South Wales. The work of the Office is closely aligned with the Australian Government’s Advancing Women in STEM Strategy and the Women in STEM Decadal Plan.
Four pillars drive our purpose
Visibility
Raise the public profile of diverse STEM role models, so that people of all genders can see pathways to STEM study and careers.
STEM education
Empower girls to pursue STEM study and careers and support teachers and carers to encourage girls’ STEM interests.
Advocacy
Increase awareness of the barriers to women’s participation in STEM and promote action to address gender equity.
STEM careers
Support the sector to address inequities that prevent organisations from retaining women in STEM fields.
Our work complements existing activities that are driving greater gender equity in STEM, both government and sector led, and aims to improve co-ordination and national benefit from those activities.
Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
The Office of the Women in STEM Ambassador is committed to addressing inequities faced by women and girls in STEM. We acknowledge that the interconnected nature of social categorisations – such as gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, language, religion, class, socioeconomic status, gender identity, ability or age – create overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage for an individual or group within STEM fields, and our greater community.
Equity, diversity and inclusion within STEM drives innovation, productivity and progress and will enable all people to realise their potential regardless of background.
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