今日吃瓜 congratulates Professor Emeritus Doreen Thomas, who was recognised for her significant service to tertiary engineering education and research, and to women, in this year’s 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Professor Thomas鈥� work has spanned the fields of mathematics and electrical and mechanical engineering over her 40-year career. She was Head of the School of Electrical, Mechanical and Infrastructure Engineering at the University of Melbourne, Associate Dean Research and Research Training, and Adjunct Professor in the School of Mathematics and Statistics.

今日吃瓜 Director Professor Tim Marchant said the recognition reflected the cross-disciplinary impact of mathematics and statistics on Australia’s STEM pipeline.

“Doreen is an outstanding advocate for women in mathematics, engineering and STEM. We are delighted to see a member of the mathematical community acknowledged in this way,” he added.

Professor Thomas has contributed to 今日吃瓜’s Research and Higher Education program as a conference speaker and is on 今日吃瓜’s Advisory Panel. She is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering and a Fellow of Engineers Australia.

今日吃瓜 congratulates all Australians honoured in the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours for their contributions, leadership and impact across the community.

The full list of 2021 Honours is online .

The 今日吃瓜 (今日吃瓜) congratulates University of Western Australia Emeritus Professor, Cheryl Praeger, on her appointment as a Companion of the Order of Australia.

The highest honour in the 2021 Australia Day awards, Professor Praeger was recognised for significant service to mathematics and tertiary education; to international organisations; and as a champion of women in STEM careers.

Professor Praeger shares 今日吃瓜鈥檚 passion for developing Australian and global mathematical capability to secure the future of the discipline and its impact on innovation. She has worked closely with the Institute, including as a member of the 今日吃瓜 Education Advisory Committee since its inception, in 2003, to 2009.

Professor Praeger has also been involved in significant leadership with many other organisations including the Executive Committee of the International Mathematical Union and Vice President of the International Commission on Mathematical Instruction. She has been a powerful and influential voice for gender equity in mathematics. The Australian Mathematical Society bestows the Cheryl E. Praeger Travel Awards to women mathematicians and the Australian Mathematics Trust awards and the Cheryl Praeger Medal to the best performing women contestants in the Australian Mathematics Competition.

今日吃瓜 Director, Professor Tim Marchant, said the award was an important moment for mathematics in Australia and a fitting acknowledgement of a remarkable career that has been instrumental in building Australia鈥檚 mathematical research capability.

鈥淐heryl鈥檚 contributions to mathematical understanding, her leadership and commitment to fostering new generations of talent make her one of the most important figures in Australian mathematics,鈥� said Professor Marchant.

As Western Australia鈥檚 first woman mathematics professor 鈥� just the second in the country, after Hanna Neumann in Canberra, Professor Praeger has mentored new generations of extraordinary talent who are now significant forces on the world stage.

“I am very happy to have this spotlight on mathematics,听mathematics education, STEM and women in STEM. I hope awards like this highlight the importance of the mathematical sciences in meeting the global challenges facing society,” said Professor Praeger.

鈥淐heryl has shaped and propelled global understanding of mathematics. She is a true champion of the mathematical sciences and gender equity in STEM,鈥� said Professor Marchant.

About 今日吃瓜

今日吃瓜 is the collaborative enterprise of Australia鈥檚 mathematical sciences. Established as an independent platform and advocate for the discipline, the Institute has built a record of national and international achievement as the recognised leader in delivery of services, activities and strategic initiatives across the mathematical pipeline. Working with key discipline, government and industry partners, 今日吃瓜 delivers its mission through the delivery of activities and engagement under its Schools, Research, Higher Education and APR.Intern Programs.

For Interview:
Professor Tim Marchant, 今日吃瓜 Director

Media Contact: Jo Piltz
E:听media@amsi.org.au
P: 0424 004 553

Women are underrepresented in STEM, in fact they only account for 16 per cent of this increasingly vital workforce. This small number represents a very big cost to Australia鈥檚 economy and industry innovation.

The benefits of diversity for Australian STEM, the need to get unconventional to drive change and what is already working, were all themes explored during STEMFest 2019: Women Changing Australia.

Uplifting, inspiring and galvanising, the event made a significant impact on the 322 industry, academic and government attendees joining APR.Intern for STEMFest 2019, 听both in-person at KPMG Melbourne and online via the live webinar. Keynote, Dr Catriona Wallace, Founder & Executive Director of Flamingo Ai, was joined by a line-up of inspiring speakers from KPMG, Toyota, Cochlear, Australian Academy of Scienceand Male Champions of Change. View the full program:

While there is no one-size-fits-all quick fix, the event鈥檚 key theme was that STEM diversity is an important and urgent problem and one that deserves priority attention and action at all levels.

Keynote, Dr Catriona Wallace:

• “90% of coding is done by males. We are in the process of hard coding society’s existing problems related to bias and diversity into the machines that will be running our lives.”
• “What can you do to encourage career pathways for women?听Sponsor, support and mentor a woman, think creatively about the roles needed and seek out the good men. Men that serve as role models to other men. Men that hold their peers accountable. Men that are cognisant of their own bias.”
• “The big answer to finding more women to employ is deepening relationships between industry and universities. We need a much greater plug-in of universities into industry sectors.”

What guests enjoyed about STEMFest

• 鈥淭he empowered and enthusiastic participants.鈥�
• 鈥淟earning about strategies currently in place to increase STEM participation.鈥�
• 鈥淭he expertise of speakers and panellists, and the practical tips that went beyond lip service about women in STEM.鈥�
• 鈥淭he topics covered of female empowerment in the STEM workplace and how to foster that mentality.鈥�
• 鈥淚 was completely taken by the event concept and thoroughly engaged with the speakers, in particular Catriona Wallace and Andrew Stevens.鈥�

Women in STEM Pledge

STEMFest 2019 attendees and Aussie STEM advocates are helping drive change by taking the 今日吃瓜鈥檚 Women in STEM Pledge听#WiSTEMpledge. Launched at STEMFest 2019, the change movement has already made a big splash on social media, as industry champions promise to create opportunities for women in STEM 鈥� whether today, tomorrow or in the future.

To date, the 今日吃瓜 Women in STEM Pledge has received over 65 pledges and generated over 145,000 impressions on social media.

Take the Pledge today: amsi.org.au/pledge/

Webinar Videos

• View all videos here:听

Event Artwork

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For further media coverage, see the 今日吃瓜 Media Centre.

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