January 28, 2025
Two UOW scientists set sail for historic expedition to Antarctica
The researchers join 122 other women leaders in STEMM for exciting voyage to tackle sustainability issues
Homeward Bound, a global transformational leadership initiative dedicated to supporting women with STEMM backgrounds, has set sail with 124 women and non-binary leaders on an historic expedition to Antarctica, aimed at inspiring collective leadership action in tackling sustainability issues.s
MS Island Sky will depart from Ushuaia, Argentina on Tuesday, January 28 (ART), (7am, January 29 AEDT), for Homeward Bound’s seventh annual expedition. On board will be two outstanding University of Wollongong (UOW) scientists – Ms Georgia Watson and Professor Martina Sanderson Smith.
Ms Georgia Watson
Ms Watson works at UOW's iAccelerate where she coordinates the LIFT Program. The program supports women in STEM and entrepreneurship to access a portfolio of career skills and opportunities. Ms Watson said she’s looking forward to the journey ahead.
"Having completed the online component of the Homeward Bound leadership program in 2023 and 2024, I'm leaning into the new skills I've developed in leading myself, communicating effectively and bringing people together in collaboration,” Ms Watson said.
“My focus for the expedition to Antarctica is on deepening the relationships I've built as a part of #TeamHB8 and looking for ways we can maximise our power as a collective, working towards climate action, biodiversity conservation and gender equity in STEMM."
Also taking part in Homeward Bound’s seventh annual expedition is UOW molecular microbiologist Professor Martina Sanderson-Smith. Professor Sanderson-Smith’s is the Director of UOW's Molecular Horizons. Her fascination with infectious disease, and a desire to help improve the health of others, drove her to pursue a career trying to understand bacterial infection in humans. Professor Sanderson-Smith’s current research in the School of Science explores antimicrobial resistance.
Professor Martina Sanderson-Smith
The CEO of Homeward Bound, Ms Sarah Derry, said the world needs more bold women leaders in decision-making roles to drive smart, sustainable solutions.
“Leaders with STEMM backgrounds are pivotal to tackling the world’s greatest challenges, yet they often lack the support needed to flourish in leadership roles, which is why we are bringing this extraordinary group of women and non-binary leaders to Antarctica to reflect, connect, and take bold action together for a sustainable future,” Ms Derry said.
The Homeward Bound expedition team, HB Transform, is a diverse group of leaders representing 24 nationalities from countries such as Australia, United States, China, Spain, UK, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, and many more.
Professor Sanderson-Smith and Ms Watson as they prepare for their voyage to Antarctica
The team features an impressive array of STEMM professionals, including a geochemist, mathematician, marine biologist, and immunologist, among other talented leaders. Drawn from multiple Homeward Bound cohorts, HB Transform also includes nine esteemed faculty members, some of the world’s foremost coaches and leadership experts.
This expedition marks a historic milestone as it will be Homeward Bound’s last voyage to Antarctica for now as it expands its experiential component offering to the Serengeti, Tanzania with the intention of attracting more women leaders to join the initiative.
A previous Homeward Bound team
About Homeward Bound
Homeward Bound has supported over 700 participants from 90 nations, united by a shared mission to lead with impact and influence for a better future. Since 2016, it has connected leaders across 55 countries through our alumnae, Busara Circle, supporters and global network, building a powerful community of change-makers from 100+ STEMM fields.
To date, the Australia-rooted organisation, co-founded in 2015 by visionary leadership activist Fabian Dattner, has run eight flagship online programs with six expedition programs to Antarctica, inspiring hundreds of women to act and drive initiatives towards the sustainability of the planet.
It uniquely collaborates with Human Synergistics with participants using their industry leading development diagnostic the Life Styles Inventory™, which is fundamental to their program learning experience.