In a world where only 33.3 per cent of researchers are women, Mater Research is breaking barriers with 60 per cent of research groups led by women, and a total research workforce of nearly 80 per cent women. Today on 11 February, we celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2024, and Mater Researchers share how they are contributing to closing the gender gap in science.
Mater Research and The University of Queensland PhD student Nikita Rosendahl grew up as a huge science nerd, with a love of science that was always encouraged by those around her. This led to the natural decision to pursue a career in medical research to make exciting new discoveries that will benefit patients.
Nikita is part of Mater Research’s Cancer Immunotherapies Research Group, which is led by Professor Kristen Radford and based at the Translational Research Institute. Nikita said she is surrounded by so many amazing scientists every day and is especially grateful to know so many wonderful female scientists at varying stages of their careers who she can take a lot of inspiration from.
Of the gender gap in science, Nikita says that it is very real and can’t be solved by simply encouraging more women to work in STEM.
I don’t think it’s difficult to convince a child that being a scientist is a pretty cool job. Children are naturally curious and are already scientists themselves as they discover the world around them.
Unfortunately, as we grow up, society pushes us, especially girls, away from that natural curiosity and wonder. As a society, we need to do better at nurturing a growing love of science in young girls and make it clear to them that their voices are not only wanted but needed within the science community.
Women need support through every stage of their science career, and we need systemic changes that address prevailing gender biases and structural barriers that still exist for women in STEM, Nikita said.
Prof Radford agrees, and said that in biomedical research, it’s not a question of attracting women to science.
The challenge is retention. We need to ensure women in science have the career progression into leadership roles to maximise their potential and impact as well as to support and inspire the next generation, Prof Radford said.
As Mater Research’s longest serving researcher, Prof Radford has supervised 19 students, 12 early career researchers and has mentored a further 12 students outside of her own research team. Prof Radford says that Nikita is already a great mentor for girls who are interested in science.
She is highly engaged in collaborative, leadership, mentoring and community engagement activities with her team members, her peers via student committees, high school students via the Wonder of Science Program, and the community, Prof Radford said.
Mater Research Director of Operations Emily Bailey said that Mater Research actively embraces diversity and inclusion as part of our business, and takes strong guidance from our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
We seek opportunities to promote the achievements of our female researchers and to foster career development for our Early and Mid-Career women, Emily said.
Initiatives like our targeted Strategic Grant for Outstanding Women are aimed at amplifying female researchers who have excelled in their field despite circumstances and barriers that could impact on career progression. This grant helps to overcome the gender-based career interruptions that so often affect women in research.
This naturally leads to more women at Mater Research holding lead investigator roles and senior academic positions.
In a field where gender disparity remains a pressing issue, Mater Research researchers are shattering the glass ceiling in the world of science. With an impressive 60 percent of research groups being led by women and an overall research workforce comprising almost 80 percent women, Mater Research stands as a paragon of gender equality. On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2024, the researchers at Mater Research are proud to contribute to closing the gender gap in the scientific community.
One prominent figure at Mater Research is Nikita Rosendahl, a PhD student from The University of Queensland who grew up with a deep passion for science and the unwavering support of those around her. Inspired by her love for science, Nikita embarked on a career in medical research, determined to make groundbreaking discoveries that would benefit patients. As a member of the Cancer Immunotherapies Research Group at Mater Research, led by Professor Kristen Radford and based at the Translational Research Institute, Nikita finds herself surrounded by numerous brilliant scientists, particularly remarkable women at different stages of their careers, whom she greatly admires and draws inspiration from.
Nikita acknowledges the existence of a significant gender gap in science, emphasizing that encouraging more women to work in STEM alone is not enough to solve this problem. She believes that children, with their innate curiosity and natural affinity for exploration, can easily be enticed by the prospect of becoming scientists. However, as they grow older, societal pressures, especially on girls, often steer them away from their inherent curiosity and wonder. Nikita calls for society to do better in nurturing a love for science in young girls and to make it unequivocally clear that their voices are not only welcome but also essential within the scientific community.
Professor Radford echoes Nikita’s sentiments, asserting that the real challenge lies in retaining women in science rather than attracting them to the field. To maximize their potential and impact, it is crucial to promote career progression for women, enabling them to assume leadership roles and inspiring the next generation. As Mater Research’s longest-serving researcher, Professor Radford has been an influential figure, supervising numerous students and providing mentorship to aspiring scientists outside her research team. She commends Nikita for already being an exemplary mentor to girls interested in science, actively engaging in collaborative, leadership, mentoring, and community outreach activities.
Emily Bailey, the Director of Operations at Mater Research, emphasizes the organization’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. Fostered by strong guidance from their Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee, Mater Research actively seeks opportunities to showcase the achievements of their female researchers and support the career development of early and mid-career women. Among their initiatives is the targeted Strategic Grant for Outstanding Women, designed to amplify the accomplishments of female researchers who excel in their fields despite the barriers they may face. By addressing the gender-based career interruptions that plague women in research, this grant empowers women, ultimately leading to increased representation in lead investigator roles and senior academic positions at Mater Research.
Mater Research continues to pave the way for equality and female representation in the scientific realm, proving that barriers can be broken, glass ceilings shattered, and gender gaps closed. With their unwavering dedication to inclusivity, mentorship, and support, Mater Research sets a powerful example for the rest of the scientific community, inspiring change and progress worldwide.
