July 5, 2016

Celebrating Women of Impact

Forty-one outstanding academic women from UOW have been recognised for their achievements, from solving complex world challenges to advancing knowledge in fast-moving industries.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Professor Judy Raper officially launched the UOW Women of Impact, an initiative celebrating the work of outstanding women at UOW, on Tuesday 5 July.

“The women we have profiled undertake research and teaching that is having ‘real-world’ impact: they are contributing new knowledge, innovative techniques and ideas, and outstanding graduates to society,” Professor Raper said.

“Every day I encounter tenacious, capable and intelligent women who are working hard in teaching, research and administration to deliver results and fulfill their career dreams. It’s inspiring.”

The UOW Women of Impact initiative is part of the UOW Impact series, which began last year with the launch of 40 Years of Research Impact.

Areas of study range from the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes, gender politics in remote indigenous communities, the effects of cannabis on the brain and the conservation of marine ecosystems.

UOW Women of Impact is inspired by the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) pilot and a number of other initiatives the University is undertaking to review, assess and improve gender equality.

UOW Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Wellings, CBE, said initiatives such as the UOW Women of Impact aim to recognise the outstanding contribution that is being made by women throughout the organisation.

“The number of women filling roles as science PhD graduates and early career researchers at the University of Wollongong is higher than the national average,” Professor Wellings said.

“Our challenge is to assess, review and change our organisational structures to ensure there is equality of opportunity for all genders across disciplines.

“Gender equality is something I am committed to achieving here at UOW and I believe we are making great progress.”

The UOW Women of Impact event included talks by Dr Xiaoqi Feng and Dr Helen McGregor, as well as the launch of a Women of Impact publication.

More photos of the launch event available on the UOW Research Facebook page. 

Lead photo shows Associate Professor Melanie Randle, an expert in social and non-profit marketing, particularly in the areas of volunteering and foster care.