Celebrating Diversity and Indigenous Excellence: Women in Technology Announces Winners of the 27th Annual WiT Awards

The Women in Technology WiT Awards offer a reflection of the ever evolving landscape of STEM in Australia – where women are making significant strides against the backdrop of systemic challenges. Despite females currently comprising only 28% of the STEM-skilled workforce, initiatives like WiT undeniably make an impact by offering vital support that helps women ascend into senior roles and ensures their contributions receive recognition

This was evidences on the the 27th of September with Women in Technology unveiling the winners of its 27th annual WiT Awards at the Royal International Convention Centre in Brisbane. This prestigious event showcased Queensland’s most influential female leaders in science, technology, engineering, and digital innovation. This year’s theme, “We Lift Each Other Up,” encapsulated WiT’s mission to empower women in STEM and foster a collaborative spirit among them.

The gala attracted over 300 nominations across 11 categories, underscoring the remarkable contributions women are making in various fields, including biomedical research, environmental science, and health technology. WiT Chair, Iyari Cevallos, articulated the essence of the evening, stating, “When we lift each other up, we create a ripple effect of empowerment, leading to thriving workplaces and a brighter future for women in STEM.”

Among the winners, the awards recognised Professor Moe Thandar Wynn for Excellence in Research, while Kate Kingston received the title of Emerging Science Star. The awards also honoured Dr. Nathalie Piperidis for Excellence in Industry Leadership and celebrated Felicity Furey as the Future Focused Business Achiever.

The awards also included the First Nations Change Maker category, which highlighted the outstanding achievements of the Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy. This new category reflects WiT’s commitment to recognising the vital role of Indigenous women in STEM fields and aims to support their journey towards leadership and innovation.

The Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy exemplifies this commitment. Founded to encourage and support young Indigenous women to explore careers in science and technology, the Academy is a beacon of hope and progress. Aunty Joan Marshall and Theresa McDonald, both leaders in Indigenous health practices, accepted the award on behalf of the Academy, showcasing the collaborative effort to bridge the gap in healthcare and educational resources for Indigenous communities.

This year’s awards also saw recognition for the YourTrack Team from Griffith University, which won the Consumer Strength Champion award. Their innovative project, the Tracking Cube, addresses the pressing issue of identifying neurodevelopmental disorders, such as ADHD and Autism, in at-risk children. Born out of community concerns regarding long wait times for necessary services, the Tracking Cube offers a culturally responsive screening approach that integrates seamlessly with child well-health checks.

Through co-design with local Indigenous communities, YourTrack has developed a model that empowers primary health care providers to conduct assessments more efficiently. This initiative not only reduces the waiting period from years to months but also ensures that children receive support closer to home. The importance of this project cannot be overstated, especially as over one million Australian children face neurodevelopmental challenges, which incur significant social and economic costs.

The gala evening highlighted other significant achievements, including the Emerging Tech Star award going to Dr. Amena Khatun, and the joint winners of the Employer of Change category, GWI & GroundProbe. Their contributions to creating inclusive workplaces resonate with the overall mission of the WiT Awards –  to foster environments where women can thrive.

With the addition of the Indigenous category this year, the WiT Awards have not only recognised the achievements of women in STEM but have also taken a vital step towards inclusivity. The success of the Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy illustrates the power of community-driven initiatives, as they work to cultivate the next generation of female leaders in technology and science.