November Narratives

As November 2023 unfolded, I immersed myself in a series of enriching and impactful events, each fostering growth and diversity in the STEM field.

1st November: Science & Technology Australia Networking Event, Melbourne

My month kicked off with an invigorating evening at Science & Technology Australia's networking event in Melbourne. I had the privilege of engaging with influential leaders in Australian STEM, including the brilliant minds behind the Superstars of STEM program. The event was a testament to the organization's commitment to supporting women in STEM. I was honoured to share the space with inspiring figures like Dr Ana Baburamani , Jo Stanley , Misha Schubert , Anurika De Silva , and Dr Morley Muse.

2nd November: Australian Burning Heroes Founders Association Startup Awards

The following day brought another highlight – the inaugural Australian Burning Heroes Founders Association Startup Awards. Winning the Equity in Innovation award alongside Dr Morley Muse use for our recruit-tech platform, DEIR.AI Inclusion, Retention, focusing on women in STEM, significantly acknowledged our efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the tech industry.

3rd November: STEM Employability Training Workshop

Partnering with ??BLAQ DIAMONDS Women Empowerment?? , BLAQ DIAMONDS Women Empowerment, iSTEM Co. myself and Morley delivered a STEM Employability Training Workshop specifically designed for First Nations Women and women of Colour. This initiative is close to my heart, aiming to empower and equip women with the skills needed to thrive in STEM careers.

11th November: STEM Sisters' Recognition at the 2023 Melbourne Awards

A momentous highlight of November was the recognition of STEM Sisters as a finalist in the Community category at the prestigious 2023 Melbourne Awards. Organized by the City of Melbourne , these awards celebrate the selfless dedication and remarkable contributions of inspiring individuals and organizations within Melbourne's vibrant community. To be acknowledged among such impactful initiatives was not only an honour but a reaffirmation of our mission at STEM Sisters.

14th November: She's The Boss Catchup

Mid-month, I attended the end-of-year lunch for Maribyrnong's She's The Boss by the awesome ??Jules Brooke . The event was a fantastic opportunity to connect with extraordinary women like Donna Sherwani , Bron Williams , @and Mary Jensen , fostering meaningful discussions and community-building.

15th November: Recognition at the Gender Equity Awards

Mid-November brought another noteworthy recognition, this time at the Gender Equity Awards by Business in Heels . These awards catalyse change by honouring exceptional organizations and individual advocates committed to gender equity.

It was a proud moment for iSTEM Co., as we were recognized as finalists in the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) category. This recognition underscores our dedication to fostering an inclusive and diverse environment in the STEM sector. Additionally, the accolade bestowed upon Dr Morley Muse and Susan McGinty, Dr being named a finalist in the CEO/Board category, highlighted their remarkable leadership and unwavering commitment to gender equity in STEM.

20th November: Inspiring Future STEM Leaders Workshop

Morley and I delivered the Inspiring Future STEM Leaders Workshop in partnership with The Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation (QATIF) Michael Nayler , Blaq Diamonds ??BLAQ DIAMONDS Women Empowerment?? and iSTEM Co. was an enlightening experience. The collaboration strengthened our passion to inspire and guide the next generation of STEM enthusiasts

22nd - 23rd November: Empower and Ascend Workshops

iSTEM Co. delivered The "Empower and Ascend" workshops, part of the Science Pathways Festival 2023 of the The Australian Academy of Science , were a notable achievement. These comprehensive career growth workshops, in partnership with WOMEESA - Women in Earth & Environmental Sciences in Australasia , Morley and I garnered positive feedback from many early and mid-career researchers, including Dr Emma Rehn , reaffirming our commitment to fostering career advancement in STEM.

28th November: BioMelbourne Network’s 2024 Women in Leadership Awards Launch

Later in the month, I had the honour of being the keynote speaker at the launch of BioMelbourne Network ’s 2024 Women in Leadership Awards. The event focused on 'the great retention', advocating for workplace environments that nurture diverse talent. Sharing the panel with esteemed professionals like Professor @Sharon Lewin Rima Darwiche and Caroline Ryan was incredibly enriching.

28th November: IEEE Victorian Section AGM and Gala Dinner

The same day, I also attended the IEEE Victorian Section AGM and Gala Dinner. Dr. Morley Muse's keynote on "Why Diversity in STEM" was a highlight, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity in technical fields. It was so wonderful to meet so many IEEE Vic members, including Fatima Aboudrar , Vijay S Paul Annick Boghossian , Ruwini Edirisinghe and Priya Rani, PhD, SMIEEE . Metting my PhD supervisor Professor hua wang was indeed a highlight of the day.

29th November: In Conversation with Melina Georgousakis

Dr Melina Georgousakis sat down with multi award-winning journalist and Editor of University of Canberra’s BroadAgenda, Ginger Gorman at the Franklin Women ’s event in Canberra was another enriching experience. Her dedication to the medical and health sector for women is truly inspiring, and it took me back down memory lane with my journey with STEM Sisters . I also met many other amazing Franklin Women members, including Jade Boland , Amy Vassallo , Ramila W V , Nicole Vargas and Indira Samarawickrema

30th November: Parliamentary Friends of Science Breakfast

The month culminated with the Parliamentary Friends of Science Breakfast by Science & Technology Australia , which focused on securing Australia's STEM workforce. Discussions centred around strategies to position Australia as a global leader in STEM talent at the Parliament House in Canberra.

Reflecting on November, it's clear that each event, conversation, and encounter has enriched my understanding and reaffirmed my commitment to championing diversity, equity, and inclusivity in STEM. These experiences underscore the collective effort needed to shape an inclusive and innovative future in STEM, and I am proud to be a part of this transformative journey.