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Historically a male-dominated field, the dial is slowly shifting in the fields of science, technology, engineering and maths. At the forefront is the next generation of women and girls entering into science and healthcare careers.
Today is International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Established by the United Nations, it’s an opportunity to promote equal access to, and participation in, science for women and girls.
Each year, the Women’s celebrates this important day, which helps to raise awareness about the unique career opportunities we offer in women’s health, while celebrating the many achievements of our amazing female scientists.
Our annual Meet a Scientist event brings together emerging and established female researchers and healthcare professionals with high school students keen to hear about the incredible impact they can make through a career in science.
This year, we pre-recorded our Meet a Scientist panel event so that as many schools and individuals as possible could hear from our scientists.
Hosted by the Women’s Chief Executive, Professor Sue Mathews, the panel talked about their career journeys and highlighted just some of the ways that science can make a big difference in women’s healthcare.
Panellists from the Women’s included:
- Yimiao Yu, a PhD student who is completing laboratory-based research in pregnancy-related diseases
- Rebecca Hyde, a research midwife, clinical specialist and lecturer, passionate about maternity models of care and the midwifery workforce
- Associate Professor Wan Tinn Teh, Director of the Moyna Fox Fertility Research Centre, Co-Medical Director of Public Fertility Care and a trained gynaecologist.
With over 100 schools and organisations signed up to watch the event, current students gained valuable advice about the journey from student to scientist.
The path ahead doesn’t have to be clear
A common theme among panellists was that their career was not always a linear progression.
"Sometimes things don’t always go the way that we hoped, but there’s always a way to get there," Hyde said.
As a scientist, Yu is familiar with taking risks to make new discoveries.
"Doing research is constantly trying new things. You fail a lot, but you actually learn from it."
Making a difference
A/Prof Teh initially wanted to study physics, but was drawn to medicine after she watched a medical drama while applying for university courses.
After many years of study, she specialised as a clinician scientist.
"I’m at the front lines where I can see the gaps in medical knowledge, and I can use my research to fill those gaps and to improve the clinical care that we provide."
All three panellists shared a desire to create real change through their work.
"Each one of you in your own way is making a difference," Prof Matthews said to the panellists.
"Sometimes it’s with individual people, and sometimes it’s on a much bigger scale where it could impact many, many lives."
If your school is interested in accessing a recording of Meet a Scientist 2025, please email: events@thewomens.org.au