Award-winning astrophysicist Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith has been selected as Australia’s first Women in STEM Ambassador, as part of the Federal Government’s aim to encourage more girls and women to study and work in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields on a national scale.
Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, Karen Andrews, congratulated Professor Harvey-Smith for her appointment to the role. “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,” she said.
Minister Andrews added that increasing the participation of girls and women in STEM will help 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.”
Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith’s research has been published in more than 40 scientific papers. She has a PhD in Radio Astronomy from Jodrell Bank Observatory at the University of Manchester and a Masters degree in Physics with Honours in Astronomy and Astrophysics from the University of Newcastle in England.
She won the 2016 Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Australian Science Research, shared the 2016 CSIRO Chairman’s Medal and in 2017 was a mentor for Science and Technology Australia’s Superstars of STEM program. She also supervises a number of PhD students.
