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Women in STEM
Looking for role models, mentors, speakers and generally amazing people working in science, technology, engineering and maths?
We're proud to have profiled hundreds of women in STEM combining STEM with their 'X' - their passion, interest or another field. These women in STEM represent diverse career options for young people looking to pursue a STEM career, and offer in-depth information on the individual pathways they took to get to where they are today. Email info@refractionmedia.com.au if you're interested in contacting any of the people featured in this section for mentorship or speaking opportunities.
Naomi Manu
Director of Pūhoro STEM Academy
Naomi Manu established the Pūhoro STEM Academy at Massey University, which works to improve Māori participation and success in STEM.
Lesley Woodhouse
Digital knowledge keeper
Lesley Woodhouse is a Darug woman bringing Indigenous culture to the world.
Bonny Rawson
Product technologist
Bonny Rawson is a proud Ballardong Noongar woman, who discovered a new world of food via an airline corporate gig.
Skye Blackburn
Entomologist & food scientist
Entomologist and food scientist Skye Blackburn launched her own startup to get bugs on our plates.
Cass Hunter
Indigenous social ecological researcher
Cass Hunter is an Indigenous social ecological researcher with the Coasts program in CSIRO, Cairns.
Stef Apostolidis
Chippy chick
Melbourne Chippy Chick, Stef Apostolidis, mixes maths and entrepreneurial skills with building site management
Dr Cathy Foley AO
Australia’s Chief Scientist 2021-24
From becoming a renowned physicist to now being Australia's Chief Scientist, Prof Cathy Foley AO has had an exciting yet challenging journey through her career in STEM
Adele Hauwai
Social entrepreneur
Adele likes to blend Māori concepts and language with technology, as this is a way to keep her culture and people alive and growing.
Shasta Henry
Entomologist & science communicator
Spiny or fuzzy, Shasta Henry is passionate about sharing insects with the world.
Dr Helen Cartledge
Professional Engineer of the Year
Dr Helen Cartledge won the Professional Engineer of the year 2019 award. Helen recently spoke at a panel event for STEM Professionals in Schools.
Dr Helen Maynard-Casely
Instrument scientist
Instrument scientist Dr Helen Maynard-Casely’s obsession with icy moons has led to a fascinating career.
ShanShan Wang
Industrial designer
Industrial design grad, innovator and entrepreneur ShanShan Wang is tackling some mega health science problems.
Quiz: What’s your science career?
From astrophysicist to zoologist, there's a whole A-Z of science careers out there. This quiz will help you find your perfect fit.
Quiz: What’s your artificial intelligence job?
In our ever-changing, high tech world, artificial intelligence (AI) is a pretty big deal.
AI is all about...
Space + agriculture: bringing space jobs down to Earth
There’s more to a food and farming career than studying soil and crops. Next-gen farming smarts are needed in out-of-this-world industries, like space.