Today is all about ensuring full and equal access to, and participation in, science for women and girls, and further achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
Celebrated globally, International Day of Women and Girls in Science is implemented by UNESCO and UN-Women, amongst other institutions and civil society partners. The aim is to help close the gender gap in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers by encouraging women and girls into these industries. While there is no doubt women have increased their participation in STEM disciplines, they are still underrepresented in these fields.
Some of our fabulous females in science took the time to tell us a little about their science journey. Claire Stephenson, Eliza Towndrow, Emma Molloy, Ildike Piercy, Meg Bowman and Pam Dean-Jones shared with us insights about their careers and what they love about being a woman in science.
Claire Stephenson
Lead Hydrogeology
What is your area of expertise and what lead you to go down that path?
My area of expertise is hydrogeology (groundwater). My path to hydrogeology was as meandering as a stream. I have always loved the outdoors and the environment and have fond memories of camping and gold panning with my Grandpa in Victoria. I wanted to work outdoors and in the environment as much as possible so completed degrees in Forestry and in Geology, with research honours looking at how trees uptake groundwater. After university I began working at a large consultancy with the contaminated land team, but also working with a great group who specialised in hydrogeology also. This was at the time of the millennium drought, so around this time there was a growing focus on assessment and investigation into groundwater resources and management, so the demand for work in hydrogeology was growing. So, my career really just evolved towards hydrogeology.
What does a day in your job look like?
As a hydrogeologist we do a lot of detective work to piece together data and clues to inform us about what the groundwater regime is. Every site is different because geology is highly variable. So a day in my job does still involve a lot of review and analysis of data, and applying that towards the problem we are investigating. This might be to identify a water resource, a potential impact pathway to a key groundwater user or receptor like a landholder bore, stream or ecosystem or to check that no impacts are occurring or could occur due to different land uses. A lot of our work is desktop based and includes reporting and developing graphical representations of what is occurring below surface to communicate out to a broad audience. As well as developing numerical models to predict what may occur in future under different land use, water use or climate scenarios.
What are your favourite parts of your job?
The challenge of it. Every project is unique and different, so it always keeps you on your toes. This relates to the physical properties (i.e. geology) but also the legislation and policy. Water policy differs across all states and there are specific requirements around what and how we assess groundwater for different land uses, and then you also have the Commonwealth requirements and considerations. As a woman, what do you find challenging about working in a science field? As a woman I would say nothing. I work in an amazing team in a company run by a woman, so the environment I work in is very supportive of women in science. Our clients are also great to work with and appreciate the advice and support we provide. Earlier in my career I did encounter a few barriers where I was told I couldn’t do certain work (generally fieldwork) because I was a female. But thanks to some strong female figures in my childhood that gave me the confidence to always question and push on, I never let those barriers stop me.
Do you know many women working in science?
Yes many, at Umwelt alone there are over 100 women working in environmental science. I’m also a committee member for the Professional Environmental Women’s Association in Brisbane where we have regular events to bring together women and girls working (or hoping to work) in environmental science.
What would you tell young girls thinking of following a career in science?
If you have a curious mind, this is a great career for you. There are so many aspects of science to follow, so find the thing that gives you energy and gets you excited and curious.
Emma Molloy
Principal Environmental Consultant
What is your area of expertise and what lead you to go down that path?
I have been working with Umwelt for almost 15 years, and in that time I have primarily worked on mining projects in WA. The expertise that I have built up has been in all aspects of mining environmental management, and the nuances of the Western Australian environmental approvals legislation. Prior to joining Umwelt, I worked in government and for another consultancy, but those jobs were more project-management and marine engineering works. I joined Umwelt so that I could work in the environmental space. I enjoy the continually changing challenges and motivations of trying to help my clients to achieve their objectives, while also improving environmental management.
What does a day in your job look like?
I typically spend roughly a third of my time in correspondence (emails, phone calls, meetings), a third of my time in project management (budget management, delegating to others, and reviewing work) and a third of my time doing actual project work. My project work is the fun bit – it is primarily office-based, and involves reading, interrogating and understanding technical reports, and assessing potential environmental impacts from proposed projects.
What are your favourite parts of your job?
I really enjoy working with spreadsheets – data management and analysis, and budget management are fun because I get to work with numbers and spreadsheets. I also enjoy doing unique or complex things (ranging from writing a complex briefing note to delivering a multi-year environmental approval). The complex and unique projects give me a chance to figure out the best way to approach things, applying my analytical side and my creative side, and thinking about various scenarios and stakeholder expectations.
As a woman, what do you find challenging about working in a science field?
When I was younger and had less experience, I found some people didn’t have confidence that I could do things – I am not sure if this experience is any different for men though.
Do you know many women working in science?
I know many women working in science: my colleagues at Umwelt, personnel working at mining companies (geologists, environmental advisors) and many environmental regulators.
What would you tell young girls thinking of following a career in science?
There are so many different pathways you can follow. It is really helpful to get some practical experience – try to get vacation work, do a project or do a paid or unpaid placement – anything that will help you understand the possible range of work you can do, and it will help you to secure a job if you have some relevant experience.
Ildike Piercy
Archeologist and Cultural Heritage Lead
What is your area of expertise and what lead you to go down that path?
I am an archaeologist and cultural heritage consultant. My area of expertise is in Australian archaeology including Indigenous and Non-Indigenous (historical) cultural heritage and material culture. I just always wanted/knew I was going to be an archaeologist; I didn’t really have a catalyst or a pivotal moment where I decided, I just knew from when I was about 13 (grade 8) that that’s what I wanted to do and never considered anything else. I had an amazing ancient history teacher at high school who definitely helped cement the idea though.
What does a day in your job look like?
A day in my job probably looks quite chaotic! One minute I’m reading about Indigenous traditional water management strategies and the significance of water to Aboriginal culture and identity, then I can be creating a budget for a CHMP for a renewables development, then having an interview with a potential candidate, then doing some project management and responding to clients, then reviewing a heritage due diligence report and then working on a heritage impact assessment for Defence across two states. There is a A LOT of variety, and I love it.
What are your favourite parts of your job?
I love the variety and weird and wonderful things we get to learn about, research and write about and also the travel and ability to get outdoors and explore new places.
As a woman, what do you find challenging about working in a science field?
Lots of things! Clients sometimes don’t take you seriously, assume you’re not the one in charge, talk over the top of you or assume you don’t have as much experience as you do or in comparison to your male colleagues. Super frustrating!
Do you know many women working in science?
Yes – I’m fortunate to know a lot of amazing women working in science in a variety of amazing roles including astrophysicists, ecologists, bio-medical researchers, doctors, surgeons, and other archaeologists and researchers.
What would you tell young girls thinking of following a career in science?
Do it if you’re passionate about it! Careers in science can be challenging if you don’t love it and aren’t truly interested in what you’re doing, but they are very rewarding and there are so many avenues of science to explore career wise!
Eliza Towndrow
Water Resource Engineer
What is your area of expertise and what lead you to go down that path?
I am an Environmental Engineer and I am currently in the role of a Water Resource Engineer. I was always interested in the environment growing up and throughout school I enjoyed maths and science. My science teacher in high school introduced me to engineering and I found that I could combine my passion for problem solving with my interest in the environment by studying Environmental Engineering!
What does a day in your job look like?
I have just joined Umwelt, however my day-to-day involves investigating the impact of water on a particular area. For example, looking at rainfall events within a catchment area, the potential impact from flooding may be determined.
What are your favourite parts of your job?
My favourite part of my job is being able to have a challenge to solve, that it is always changing and is never the same thing twice. Each project will bring new challenges and produce different results.
As a woman, what do you find challenging about working in a science field?
I have not found anything too challenging because I am a woman. Throughout my education I was always supported by my family and friends as well as throughout my career. However, I have found that I am often the only woman in the room. As women we need to be confident in our work and be able to effectively communicate this to our colleagues.
Do you know many women working in science?
Yes, I know a lot of women working within the science and engineering field. This includes teachers, peers and colleagues. At university I was a member of the Women in Engineering society, which brings together women from all disciplines of engineering. What would you tell young girls thinking of following a career in science? Go for it! Follow your passion and pursue a career you are interested in!
Meg Bowman
Social Consultant
What is your area of expertise and what lead you to go down that path?
My area of expertise is in the social sciences and human geography, with a background in sociology and anthropology which later merged into Urban and Regional Development. I started out with a Social Science degree, then worked as a Caseworker in Out of Home Care. I then went back to the University of Newcastle to study Urban and Regional Development, involving Human Geography and Environmental Science subjects. I loved learning about how humans and the environment interact with each other and knew this was a better use of my Social Science background. Now I work as a Social Consultant, which is the perfect merge of all my background experience.
What does a day in your job look like?
A day in my job is never the same, whether it is engaging with key stakeholders or local landholders for renewable energy projects, researching the history of tidal pools in NSW, discussing social impacts and coding survey data with the team, or researching about employment and accommodation in regional areas.
What are your favourite parts of your job?
I enjoy engaging with people. I enjoy being a part of a team of people who work together to understand the uniqueness of communities and groups of people, to ensure we are realising the best possible social outcomes for those particular people. I enjoy researching unfamiliar places and talking to local landholders, stakeholders, and members of the community about what makes their area special to them.
As a woman, what do you find challenging about working in a science field?
I haven’t faced many challenges yet, as a woman working in a science field. I feel supported knowing the company I work for is run by women, my managers are women, and my co-workers are majority women. I feel like I am part of a scientifically-minded-woman-powerhouse.
Do you know many women working in science?
Between my friends, family, and co-workers there are science teachers, environmental engineers, psychologists, hydrologists, physiotherapists, speech pathologists and nurses. There are so many different areas within science, it’s quite exciting to think of all the amazing things us women are doing out there in the world!
What would you tell young girls thinking of following a career in science?
Get out there and do it. The world is ever changing, and women are celebrated in the science field (mostly, from my experience). Surround yourself with supportive people, set your goals high and you will achieve them!
Pam Dean-Jones
Senior Principal – Communities and Landscapes
What is your area of expertise and what lead you to go down that path?
My technical background is in geomorphology, stratigraphy, soils and cultural heritage. I had a great geography teacher at high school who initially opened the door to landscapes and how they work. So I was in the School of Earth Science when I started Uni at Macquarie – then a new university, full of young and enthusiastic academics. Amongst our opening lectures was one from Martin Williams (the ‘Sudan Stride’), who inspired a generation of students to study Quaternary geomorphology and its connection to cultural heritage. I was lucky enough to spend a season working in the New Guinea highlands (not the Sudan, one of my friends went there), working in a multi-science research team investigating the stratigraphy of early agriculture sites (dated with volcanic ash falls). Later I discovered that understanding surface processes and soils makes a big difference to understanding open archaeological sites. And it’s all fun. And you get paid to walk around in the bush or on the beach or paddle down rivers and estuaries.
What does a day in your job look like?
These days, I mostly provide strategic and technical advice and help develop or review policy and programs to protect natural systems and natural resources, especially in the coastal zone. I used to do a lot of field work – soil survey, archaeological survey, geomorphic assessments, wetland assessments, collecting sediment or water samples.
What are your favourite parts of your job?
I’ve always enjoyed working in teams of people who are solving problems so that we manage our natural resources more sustainably. It’s great to share ideas, discuss what the evidence is telling us and work out how to apply the science to get a better outcome for the environment and the people who depend on it. I have also often enjoyed the opportunity to talk to people in the community about the science that helps us manage our environment better. You learn a lot about what’s feasible and discover what happens if you don’t provide good clear information – some very creative (and sometimes quite fantastical) thinking eventuates!
As a woman, what do you find challenging about working in a science field?
I’ve been very lucky and have generally felt very supported in science and the policy and management that are derived from good science. I had some great mentors. For many years there was the challenge that I might be the only woman in the room. That means you have to be sure of the value of your work, be able to communicate it and be able to listen to the ideas and expertise of others. Sometimes it’s been hard to fit everything in!
Do you know many women working in science?
These days there are many – I’m proud that we have whole teams of skilled women working in science at Umwelt. I know some great young women who are doing fabulous and much respected work in coastal science. That wasn’t always the case.
What would you tell young girls thinking of following a career in science?
Go for it. Do the work you are passionate about and that makes you smile – as well as challenging your intellect. Make a difference to the world we live in.
