Australia’s Women in STEM Ambassador Initiative

Explore the evidence-informed initiatives Australia’s Women in STEM Ambassador has developed to address inequities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)

Celebrating [STEMM] Women graphic

The Women in STEM Ambassador is an Australian Government initiative that works to remove structural barriers to participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith was first appointed to the role in 2018 and was subsequently reappointed in 2020, 2022 and 2023. Based at UNSW Sydney, the staff in the Office of the Women in STEM Ambassador actively engage with Australia's business leaders, educators, and policymakers to enhance the involvement of women and girls in STEM.

The Women in STEM Ambassador’s team employ a collaborative and evidence-based approach to identify effective strategies for mitigating STEM inequities. Their initiatives encompass outreach, research projects, and a national digital campaign tailored for children, parents and caregivers.

The team conducts rigorous research to evaluate and inform strategies that promote diversity and inclusion in STEM sectors. Through the development of publicly available research, programs and tools, their activities contribute to and guide equity at all stages of the STEM pipeline, benefitting schoolchildren, educators, parents, businesses, government and employers alike.

In partnership with government, educational institutions, research entities, and private sector organisations, the team advocates for systemic changes that facilitate the full engagement of all people in STEM education and the workforce. This work aligns with national efforts to promote gender equity in STEM, including the Australian Government's Advancing Women in STEM Strategy and the Women in STEM Decadal Plan.

The team

Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith
Australia’s Women in STEM Ambassador
Jaqui Pyke headshot
Operations Manager

  

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Lucy Buxton headshot
Operations Manager

  

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Sarah Ratcliffe headshot
Research Associate

  

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Jess Bergman headshot
Research Associate

  

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Becky Laurence headshot
Digital Content Officer

  

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STEM resources

STEM Careers Hub

Discover STEM job opportunities for recent graduates. Explore summer programs, internships, work placements, graduate jobs and more. Read reviews from recent graduates about employers.

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The Australian Resource Directory for Women Entrepreneurs

Explore a collection of relevant programs, funding sources, networks, mentors and tools to support women entrepreneurs. The directory complements the Boosting Female Founders Initiative which aims to support women entrepreneurs to grow their startup businesses.

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Workplace Equity Resources

A collection of evidence-based tools to support transformative action for equity in STEM workplaces. These free tools have been developed by the Women in STEM Ambassador’s team.

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STEM Story Time

STEM Story Time is an exciting interactive space adventure for early learners that can be used in the classroom or at home. Children aged 3-6 join an astronaut on a journey to the International Space Station, learning about space and problem solving along the way.

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Astrophysics On Demand with Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith

 Children love to ask questions, especially curly ones, to understand how the world works. “Why is the sky blue?” “How do rainbows get their colour?” “How is a black hole made?” Watch Astrophysics On Demand and learn all about our wonderful world and beyond.

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Contact us 

For further information, contact the Office of the Women in STEM Ambassador. 

T: 02 9385 5218  
E: WomenInSTEM@unsw.edu.au

Advancing women in STEM 

The government’s strategy aims to increase gender equity in STEM education and careers. 
 

Learn more