Katrina Tune
Steering Committee (Chair), Planning Committee, Program Committee
I’m the Chief Operating Officer for the ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems (EQUS) and chair of the EQUS equity, diversity and inclusion committee (EQUIP). I have always been driven to create equitable, diverse and inclusive workplaces that reinforce positive organisational cultures. In addition to working in higher education, I have also worked in industry and served as a Director on the Epilepsy Queensland Board for over five years. I describe myself as neurodiverse, and am a mother of two neurodiverse children and a disabled child with a life-limiting illness. I consider one of my most important roles to be a strong advocate for my children, and individuals like them, who are negotiating life in a society that is not set up for their success.
I’m proud to be involved in the inaugural inSTEM conference and hopeful that this event will provide attendees with the information, inspiration and skills to move through their career with confidence and a sense of belonging, resulting in a fulfilled and successful career.
Dr Francesco Campaioli
Program Committee (Chair), Steering Committee
I’m a postdoctoral research fellow at RMIT University (Melbourne), funded by the ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science. With the centre, I have worked on finding new ways to improve photovoltaics and optoelectronics, collaborating with Australian and international research groups. My research focuses on energy transport in disordered organic semiconductors and spin-mediated spectral conversion processes. I recently won a postdoctoral fellowship of the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), which I will carry out at the University of Padua (Italy) in collaboration with Exciton Science. The project aims to improve the efficiency of photovoltaics by studying energy-conversion processes that can be exploited to broaden the portion of the solar spectrum absorbed by solar cells.
Greg Dennis
Planning Committee (Chair), Steering Committee
I have worked in numerous industries and held varying roles over the past 15 years, from education to design. Most recently, my passions have led me to focus on diversity, equity, inclusion and access. I am currently the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access Officer for the ARC Centre of Excellence in Transformative Meta-Optical Systems (TMOS). I am passionate about breaking down stereotypes within diversity, equity, inclusion and access, and always researching new ways to make workplaces more inclusive, diverse, equitable and accessible.
inSTEM is important to me as it addresses a barrier that a lot of people in STEM face. Being outside the ’mainstream’ of an industry can greatly impact how you progress in that industry, so hopefully events like this can start the work for a more equitable future.
Justine Kennedy
Steering Committee (Secretary), Program Committee (Secretary)
I’m the Node Administration Officer for the ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems (EQUS). I feel the area of STEM research, like so many other parts of our society, suffers from lack of equity, diversity and inclusion, and it has been encouraging to see the Centre’s EDI initiatives. It has been particularly rewarding to be involved in the inSTEM conference, which promises to be an interesting, fun and rewarding event, shared with like-minded people.
Angie Bird
Planning Committee (Secretary)
I have worked for the ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems (EQUS) for 8 years. I am a Senior Project Officer (Centre Coordinator) and EA to EQUS Director Prof. Andrew White. I enjoy event management and have been part of the first inSTEM conference organisation as a Planning Committee member.
Alison Taylor
Steering Committee
I’m the Chief Operating Officer at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology (CQC2T). I have worked in the education sector at UTS, UNSW, Macquarie University, the NSW Department of Education and Navitas, engaging with students across all sectors of education, including vocational, international, ELICOS, higher education and pathway programs.
I’m a graduate of the University of Newcastle, Macquarie University, UNSW and the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD). I completed Executive Education at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and am currently researching resilience in leadership in the higher-education sector, which aligns closely with the lived experience of marginalised and underrepresented groups.
Dr Buddini Karawdeniya
Steering Committee
I’m a Research Fellow at ANU in the Centre of Excellence for Transformative Meta-Optical Systems (TMOS). I work on developing bio and gas sensors, and my scope ranges from nanopores to metasurfaces. Being involved in this initiative is important to me as I believe I would not have reached here if not for equity and inclusivity. Having studied and worked in diverse environments, I recognise the importance of promoting and strengthening equity, diversity and inclusion. I think organising inSTEM is one way of paying it forward, to bring guidance and support to underrepresented groups and promote inclusion, equity and diversity.
Associate Professor Kim-Vy Tran
Steering Committee
I’m currently faculty at the University of New South Wales and have been a professional astronomer for 20+ years. I’m dedicated to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion at all levels to recruit and retain world-class talent in the STEM fields. I’m Chair of the ASTRO 3D EDI committee and node leader for UNSW. I have helped develop multiple plans for promoting an inclusive and supportive culture including hiring guidelines, Black Lives Matter action plan, and guidelines for inclusive meetings (see https://astro3d.org.au/our-centre/governance/diversity/).
The inSTEM conference integrates core strategies that I believe are essential to supporting and advocating for underrepresented groups.
Marcus Cai
Steering Committee
I’m a PhD student with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Transformative Meta-Optical Systems (TMOS) at the Australian Nation University. I’m working on frequency conversion using metasurfaces. As a PhD student, it is important to understand what career options we have after the PhD degree. This event will give students some prospects of what we can do with our PhD. We will also get to meet with other scientists in person and learn about their exciting work.
Dr Mary Gray
Steering Committee
I am the Chief Operations Officer for the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Transformative Meta-Optical Systems (TMOS), based at the Australian National University in Canberra. Prior to TMOS, I worked in research granting, funding, management and strategy and early-career researcher support for seven years (2013–2019). I have a PhD in medicine from the University Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand (conferred 2013). I investigated and characterised the genetic causes of several rare inherited diseases that involved the human skeleton.
inSTEM means opportunity for power as networks are the most powerful asset any person can own. Networks are powerful systems that we build today to support our future and that of our community. Creating a safe and inclusive spaces to build this skill in a diverse range of people is a special opportunity for everyone that participates in inSTEM.
Tenille Ibbottson
Steering Committee
I’m the Executive Officer for the ARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies (FLEET). I have worked in STEM disciplines at the Australian National University, University of Melbourne and Monash University for 28 years. During this time, I have enjoyed seeing a greater number of women undertake post-graduate studies in STEM subjects and become leaders in their fields, Heads of Departments and Professors. Participating as a member of the inSTEM Steering Committee is a great opportunity to be part of an initiative that champions inclusiveness and equity while promoting the importance of STEM within broader society.
Dr Elizabeth Bridge
Program Committee
I’m a quantum physicist turned technical recruiter. My background is in quantum physics, with a PhD in atomic and laser physics from the University of Oxford and multiple years of research experience in the UK and Australia. My passion for quantum technologies has led me to pursue a career with Quantum Brilliance: https://quantumbrilliance.com/.
Quantum Brilliance is a Australian–German start-up developing room-temperature quantum computers for a wide range of applications. I have come on board to help Quantum Brilliance find the talented individuals the company needs to realise its dream of ubiquitous quantum computing.
I am also an advocate for equity and diversity in STEM subjects. I have been involved in numerous outreach activities for high-school students considering studying STEM subjects at university and continue this work with Quantum Brilliance.
I chose to help develop and support the inSTEM networking event for under-represented and marginalised groups in STEM as I believe networking and creating a supportive community are key aspects that affect career opportunities and choices of those in our field.
Professor Halina Rubinsztein-Dunlop
Program Committee
I am the Director of the Translational Research Program at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems (EQUS) and a Professor of Physics at the University of Queensland. There, I lead groups in experimental quantum atom optics, laser micromanipulation and biophotonics. I am the recipient of many national and international awards, including Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia. I am a Fellow of Australian Academy of Science, a Fellow of SPIE, Optica and AIP.
Dr Kristen Harley
Program Committee
I’m the Communications and Engagement Manager at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems (EQUS). Alongside my communications and engagement duties, I have previously chaired and currently sit on EQUS’ equity, diversity and inclusion committee (EQUIP). Before joining EQUS I did a PhD in applied mathematics, and worked as a subeditor on Nature and as a digital producer at Cancer Research UK. I became involved in EQUIP because I wanted to help drive cultural change at EQUS and in the broader STEM community, to ensure all our members feel welcome and can achieve success. Although I’m pleased to see progress has been made over the past decade in terms of acknowledging the problems and having more conversations, systemic issues and barriers remain. I’m happy to be supporting inSTEM in the hope it can reduce (at least temporarily) some of these barriers, providing access to resources and opportunities that aren’t always as readily available to people from underrepresented groups.
Sam Zaman
Program Committee
I’m a PhD student at the University of Melbourne and ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science (ACeX). My research area of interest is nanomaterials for biomedical applications and I’m currently working on nanoparticles for light-mediated cancer therapies. I am a member of the ACeX Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion committee. Our role is to organise training sessions to create a better, more inclusive environment. The inSTEM initiative is important to me because I believe science and academia need more diverse voices and perspectives to achieve greater things. All too often marginalised groups are side-lined, and through this conference I hope we can empower underrepresented people to add their voices to the conversation.
Maedehsadat Mousavi
Planning Committee
I’m a PhD candidate in the School of Chemical Engineering at UNSW, working with Prof. Kourosh Kalantar-Zadeh to investigate liquid metal-assisted synthesis and applications of topological insulators. I’m an active member of the ARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies (FLEET), working on developing novel ultralow-power electronic devices. I am pleased to be part of inSTEM because networking allows you to meet individuals at a variety of professional levels. In certain organisations, reaching out to higher-ups might be challenging. This is where networking may help you connect with more experienced experts. The ability to tap into their expertise and job guidance is critical to your future success.
Dr Markus Rambach
Planning Committee
I’m a research fellow in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems (EQUS). I’m originally from Austria and have been working in the field of quantum physics for over a decade. Being involved in this initiative is important to me as I strongly believe in equality, inclusivity and giving everyone the best chance at achieving their goals. I think for far too long the organisation of events like these have been left to people from groups they are targeting, which somewhat defeats the purpose. It’s time for everyone to step up and create the future we want to live in.
Tim Hirsch
Planning Committee
I’m a PhD student and Global Change Scholar at UQ, working in the ARC Centre for Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems (EQUS). We have a long way to go in physics (and STEM more generally) to achieve representative diversity. I hope inSTEM will go some way towards improving the situation.
Tim Macuga
Social Media Captain
Since the start of 2015, I’ve held roles as a Media and Communications specialist for two large centres in the mathematical sciences and data science at QUT. I’m passionate about science communication, encouraging researchers to build their profiles through media, social media, podcasts, and public speaking, and working with them to improve their skills in these areas. I have also led several initiatives with these Centres to highlight the importance of gender equity in STEM. Prior to moving to Australia, I served as Executive News Producer for the FOX TV Affiliate in Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
Phoebe Baldwin
Social Media Captain
I am the Communications and Engagement Officer for the ARC Centre of Excellence for Plant Success in Nature and Agriculture. One of the core values of the Centre for Plant Success is Inclusivity, and this is something that is also close to my heart. I am always striving to ensure that members of the Centre feel involved, informed, and safe to be themselves. Initiatives such as inSTEM are a vital part of that, and I am excited to be involved in the inaugural event! I look forward to meeting attendees and hearing from the many amazing speakers.