Fellowships to support female researchers

The inaugural inspiring women fellowships, funded by the Victorian Government through the Office of the Lead Scientist and last week delivered by veski, have provided four Australian female researchers with the support they need to juggle career and carer commitments and remain competitive in their fields of endeavour.

Each researcher will receive flexible funding of up to $150,000 over three years, which they can use to tailor support mechanisms to suit their situations and make the juggling act possible. In addition, the institutes hosting the fellows must commit to providing a cash contribution of 10% of the total funding awarded each year, as well as leadership opportunities and professional mentoring for the duration of the fellowship.

The fellowships were presented to the following researchers and mothers:

• Dr Maria Liaskos, from the Hudson Institute of Medical Research’s Centre for Innate Immunity & Infectious Diseases, who will hire a research assistant to continue the momentum of her current research program while she prepares to return from maternity leave.
• Dr Catherine Satzke, from the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, who will remain connected with her work in the Infection and Immunity area and the Pneumococcal Research group by employing a research assistant who can act as her ‘hands’ for research while she is away from the laboratory.
• Dr Natalie Hannan, to support her continued work at The University of Melbourne’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and allow her to travel to, and actively participate in, key international meetings with the support of a carer for her young family.
• Dr Emily Nicholson, who will continue working part-time at Deakin University’s School of Life and Environmental Sciences, supported by a dedicated postdoctoral researcher, and be able to host a workshop in Melbourne bringing key players in her field to Australia.

According to Victorian Government Lead Scientist Dr Leonie Walsh, the four fellowship winners will shine a light on the talent pool in Victoria, which is at risk of going untapped without adequate support.

“The successful applicants for the inaugural inspiring women fellowships stood out with regards to what they have delivered in their careers to date and their future potential,” Dr Walsh said. “We believe they demonstrate the leadership necessary and will be role models helping to pave the way for the thousands of inspiring women following behind them.

“In order to affect the cultural change we need within our institutions, businesses, government and community organisations to support more inspiring women, we must take bold steps and give talented researchers like Maria, Catherine, Natalie and Emily the chance to reach their full potential and help take society and the economy forward.”

veski CEO Julia L Page said the support and commitment of the institutes hosting the inaugural inspiring women fellows is integral to their success.

“Everyone has a role to play in supporting Victoria’s future female leaders, and while the funding from the inspiring women fellowships will give these women the flexibility to support their research, the ongoing success is linked with the institutions providing leadership opportunities and support from across all levels of management,” Page said.

“As well as directly supporting the four recipients of the inaugural inspiring women fellowships, this program will stimulate wider conversations among our state’s institutions and encourage more organisations to take real action in supporting this pool of talented, inspiring women.”