STEM: Women Branching Out

STEM Women Branching Out is for women in STEM at our university, aiming to support their choice of researching and teaching in STEM and to provide them with a greater awareness of what STEM study and work involves, thereby improving their confidence.

Making STEM more inclusive.
Offering unique programs for postgraduate, undergraduate women and high school students, offer authentic STEM enhancement opportunities with industry, research and education.

We have developed unique programs for postgraduate and undergraduate women at Flinders and for South Australian school students since its inception in August 2015. It has inspired Australian schoolgirls to pursue degrees and careers in STEM and aims to enable them to succeed in an innovation driven future.

STEM Women Branching Out fulfils a key role in promoting gender equality, outreach programs and contests (STEM enrichments, Aurora photo contest), peer support networks and professional development for our female higher degree by research students.

On establishment of STEM Women Branching Out, the first of its kind in South Australia, the initiative quickly grew. An initial event attracted 16 students and within ten months grew to a community of 405 mostly students, demonstrating the quality and demand for the programs offered.

Our programs involve an array of online, networking, mentoring/inspirational events and resources to ensure female STEM students remain engaged during their study, form meaningful contacts and build useful networks facilitating their transition to work in STEM fields after graduation.

Physics and LEGO: an enduring love affair

Check out the Physics World, Everyday Science PODCAST featuring our own Assoc/Prof Maria Parappilly.

Current programs include

A 'leader lab' coaching program for our female STEM postgraduates (PhD/masters) facilitating personal growth, leadership, resilience and skills development through one-on-one coaching.

Careers in STEM networking events facilitating interactions with highly successful female scientists, STEM professionals and leaders.

National Science Week initiatives to break the stereotype.

'Thinker in Residence' series for undergraduates and postgraduates, lessons from those in the top of their fields, for example inspirational STEM leaders/high-profile Australian and international female scientists. Students participate in presentations that ignite discussion with their STEM role models.

The Cochlear Aurora photo contest.

Open to female Year 7-12 school students in South Australia and for the first time Northern Territory.

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STEM Enrichment Academy

Developing STEM capabilities among year 9 girls and science teachers. Monthly skills enrichment workshops combine industry visits and interactive mentorship with STEM role models and industry representatives.

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Aurora photo contest

For school girls to engage and inspire them in everyday science through photography. See past competition winners and find out how to enter yourself.

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Athena SWAN at Flinders

Flinders University has been awarded Institutional Bronze Accreditation in the SAGE Athena SWAN program recognising the University’s ongoing efforts towards achieving gender equity. Delivered through the national body SAGE (Science in Australia Gender Equity), the framework seeks to advance gender equality across academia – with a particular focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM). As part of this project, Flinders is implementing a four-year action plan.

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