Female researchers sponsored in academic journey
Seven promising University of Newcastle researchers are helping to pave the way for their female peers, as recipients of a Women in Research (WIR) Fellowship designed to support the development of their academic careers.
With females representing 56 per cent of the university sector workforce but holding only 35 per cent of senior academic positions*, the University of Newcastle’s WIR Fellowships are designed to champion diversity and gender equity in the workplace.
Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research and Innovation, Professor Deborah Hodgson said the Fellowship provided a strategic pathway to increase the percentage of women working in senior academic roles.
“The Fellowship program addresses the obstacles in career progression for women so that we can best support outstanding academic talent to achieve their desired research outcomes.”
Now in its second year, Professor Hodgson said the success of the 13 inaugural WIR Fellows in achieving sustained research-focused outputs was a testament to the value of the initiative.
“The program empowers recipients to pursue their research goals, manage their career trajectory and exceed in ways that may otherwise not be possible,” Professor Hodgson said.
Opportunities for Fellows include mentorship from senior academics, the provision of training, placement and travel opportunities, as well as support juggling family/carer responsibilities.
This year’s Fellows were selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants across a variety of fields of research, based on the transformational potential of the Fellow to develop their research career.
The 2018 Women in Research Fellows were announced at a launch event at the University’s NeW Space city campus today:
Dr Karen Blackmore – is developing an educational approach to virtual reality technology with applications for real-world situations in health, mining and defense industries.
Dr Rachel Buchanan – is examining how equity issues affect the way students access, understand and use technology in educational settings.
Dr BoBae Choi – is exploring the impact of information asymmetry and corporate reporting on capital markets.
Dr Narelle Eather – is examining the impact of an intervention program that promotes physical activity, physical fitness and sports skills among children, youth and young adults.
Dr Kcasey McLoughlin – is exploring the impact of gender upon the contributions of women judges to the High Court of Australia.
Dr Melissa Tadros – is investigating the impact of early life events on the sensory pathways between the brain and body using novel neurological techniques.
Dr Rachael Unicomb – is examining the impact of treatments where stuttering and speech sound disorders occur simultaneously in early childhood.
*Universities HR Benchmarking Program 2018
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The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.