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You are cordially invited to attend a Public Lecture on “Building Female Leadership in STEMM Disciplines in Higher Education: The Myth of the Pipeline?” to be deliverd by Professor Caroline McMillen, Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Newcastle, Australia. The Public Lecture is co-organized with the Australian Consulate General of Hong Kong to mark the International Women’s Day and as part of the HeForShe Initiative.

Abstract:

Across many jurisdictions, economies are in transition- moving from a traditional base often focused on manufacturing and mining to a knowledge base often harnessing research in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medical science (STEMM) to drive innovation. In order to realize the full potential of STEMM research, innovation an entrepreneurship it is important to ensure there is increased participation and engaged leadership by both male and female scientists to realize full economic potential. For at least 5 decades, the global higher education sector has assumed that as more women participate in undergraduate STEMM degree programs, there will be a growing ‘pipeline’ of leading female researchers in these fields and that this will ensure gender parity in STEMM and research leadership. However, evidence suggests that the ‘pipeline’ alone will not deliver gender parity in STEMM leadership in universities, research agencies or industry. Targeted strategies are required to address the range of complex factors which contribute to the loss of talented female researchers, innovators and leaders and the associated loss in diversity of approaches to research challenges. The University of Newcastle is among the first Australian universities to pilot the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) program established under the Athena SWAN Charter (developed by the Equality Challenge Unit in the UK), to enhance STEMM career structures to retain women and build a resilient STEMM leadership base for a resilient economy.

About the Speaker:

Professor Caroline McMillen joined the University of Newcastle as Vice-Chancellor and President in October 2011. She had previously served in academic leadership positions at Monash University, the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia. She has held national and international roles in medical and health research, industry engagement, strategy and policy development. Professor McMillen is a Director of the Australian Business Higher Education Round Table, a Business Event Sydney Ambassador, and member of the NSW Innovation and Productivity Council. She has served on a range of national and international disciplinary bodies and industry boards, including the Council of the International Union of Physiological Societies, the Australian Automotive Industry Innovation Council, the South Australian Premier’s Climate Change Council, and as Convener of the New South Wales Vice-Chancellor’s Committee.

As a medical researcher, Professor McMillen is internationally recognized for her work on the impact of the nutritional environment before birth on the risk of developing cardiovascular and metabolic disease in adult life. Her research group has been funded continuously for two decades by both the Australian Research Council and the National Health and Medical Research Council. She has published more than 200 publications and been invited to present at more than 70 international and national meetings. She was a member of the Prime Minister’s Science Engineering and Innovation Council Working Group on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health focusing on maternal, fetal and infant health.

Professor McMillen is an inaugural Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences, and a Bragg Member of the Royal Institution, Australia.

All are welcome.

Please register at

Enquiries: 3917 5115
E-mail: eounit@hku.hk