HunterWiSE is a partnership initiative, established by seven academic women from the University of Newcastle. With support from University and industry partners, HunterWiSE provides opportunities for women and girls in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to connect, collaborate, and share experiences.

HunterWiSE delivers three interlinked actions aimed at increasing the number of girls and women participating in STEM. The first is a targeted school intervention. The second action is scholarships for women studying STEM-based degrees at the University of Newcastle. The third action is a series of networking events for female STEM professionals across the Hunter. These actions work in unison to increase interest and improve perception of STEM careers among young women, and to develop a positive community for women currently working in STEM in the Hunter. By using this dual approach we hope to increase the number of women entering the ‘STEM pipeline’, and simultaneously encourage retention of women pursuing careers in STEM industries and disciplines.

Get Involved

Schools

HunterWiSE Schools Outreach is a 10-week program that directly targets female high school students in Year 8. The program provides students with the opportunity to work alongside STEM professionals and student mentors from the University of Newcastle to solve local community issues whilst developing STEM skills. Since the 2017 pilot program, HunterWiSE has delivered the Schools Outreach Program to more than 550 students from 18 high schools. If you would like to nominate your school to participate in future intakes for the HunterWiSE Outreach Program, or you would like more information please contact the HunterWiSE team.

The HunterWiSE Outreach Program - Setting female students up with STEM

Women in STEM

The HunterWiSE Network provides opportunities for women working in a wide range of STEM fields across the Hunter to connect, engage and share experiences. Each year, HunterWiSE hosts a series of events for the benefit of Network members, including panel discussions, presentations and guest lectures. Members are afforded the opportunity to support and engage with students taking part in the Schools Outreach Program. If you would like to join the HunterWiSE Network and/or receive more information about becoming a HunterWiSE Network member you can sign-up, or contact the HunterWiSE Team.

Organisations

The delivery of the HunterWiSE Schools Outreach Program and Network events would not be possible without the generosity of our sponsors. For more information about how your organisation could support HunterWiSE please download our brochure (PDF, 2.5MB).

People

Professor Regina Berretta

Honorary Professor
School of Engineering

Professor Karen Blackmore

Acting Head of School
School of Information and Physical Sciences

Professor Anna Giacomini

Professor
School of Engineering

Professor Sarah Johnson

Professor
School of Engineering

Professor Juanita Todd

Pro Vice-Chancellor - Research
Office of the PVC, Research

Professor Elena Prieto-Rodriguez

Professor
School of Education

Professor Erica Wanless

Professor
School of Environmental and Life Sciences

Sponsors

In 2024, HunterWiSE is generously supported by the following partners:

Strategic Partners
UON logoGlencore logo

Outreach Partners
GHD logo  Ampcontrol logoNCIG logoLMCC logo
Ramboll logoHunter Water logo  Transport for NSW logoBradken logo

Network Partners
Quarry Mining logoImpervium Solutions logoWhiteley logoAECOM' in black text on white background
Tomago Aluminium logoOrica logoMonadelphous logo

Privacy Statement

Your privacy is important to us. You can read our privacy statement (PDF, 1MB). You can advise HunterWiSE at any time to unsubscribe from the network, remove yourself from an initiative and/or delete your information by emailing hunterwise@newcastle.edu.au


Athena SWAN Member
The HunterWiSE project is an initiative of the University of Newcastle's Athena SWAN SAGE pilot.