In a win for women in STEM, the Australian government has announced that Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith, an award-winning astrophysicist, has been selected as Australia’s first ‘Women in STEM’ Ambassador.
Professor Harvey-Smith will oversee an effort to encourage girls and women to study and work in STEM fields – i.e. science, technology, engineering and mathematics – on a national scale.
Her list of lustrous achievements is long and astonishingly impressive –
- She holds a PhD in Radio Astronomy from Jodrell Bank Observatory at the University of Manchester.
- She has a Masters degree in Physics with Honours in Astronomy and Astrophysics from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
- She is a public advocate for science and has presented on numerous radio and television broadcasts, including ABC Television’s Stargazing Live.
- She won the 2016 Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Australian Science Research.
- She shared the 2016 CSIRO Chairman’s Medal.
- In 2017, she was a mentor for Science and Technology Australia’s Superstars of STEM program.
- Her first book, titled When Galaxies Collide, was published in July 2018.
- Lastly, she also supervises a number of PhD students. She led a research group at CSIRO’s Australia telescope national facility, in her previous role.
- Her research has been published in more than 40 refereed scientific papers.
“As Australia’s first Women in STEM Ambassador, Professor Harvey-Smith will advocate for girls and women in STEM education and careers, raising awareness and driving cultural and social change for gender equity. I look forward to working closely with her,” said Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews, as she congratulated Professor Harvey-Smith for her appointment in the role.
Andrews further stated, “If we can increase participation of girls and women in STEM, we will strengthen Australia’s research, scientific and business capability. “The Women in STEM Ambassador role will complement existing work and activities that are driving greater gender equity in science, both Government and sector-led.”
