The Hunger Game’ STEMM related content in genetics, probability and environmental sciences, as well as the story’s strong young protagonist, Katniss Everdeen, sets the scene for a discussion on the realities of STEM careers and the motivated abilities girls need to have to survive and excel in these challenging environments. Convergence science, the changing nature of world, the cult of entrepreneurship, and the role of the humanities in the emergence of new industries is shaping a STEM-landscape that is no longer science fiction.
Are our girls equipped for these opportunities and what more do we need to do to level the playing filed for them?
About the guest speaker: Michelle Gallaher is a recognised champion of the Australian lifesciences industry and a key opinion leader on women in STEMM, social media and digital marketing in the sciences. Michelle is the co-founder and Creative Director of The Social Science, a specialist consultancy helping organisations and individuals unlock the value of social media in the science and innovation industries. Michelle is also the Co-founder and Director of Women in Science Australia, an advocacy group of more than 10,000 members, supporting greater equity for women in STEMM and supporting women in STEMM leadership.
Speaking about gender equity in the sciences and why the future of science and research depends on social technologies is Michelle’s passion. She is a sought after professional speaker and writer in Australia and overseas, delivered TED and TINA talks in Australia, and is a regular contributor to blogs, webinars, podcasts, conferences, frequently providing mainstream media commentary.Michelle has over 25 years of experience in the Australian lifesciences industry, in teaching hospitals as an allied health professional at the beginning of her career through to pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry roles covering, government affairs, market access, new business and
product development, capital raising and executive management. Prior to establishing her own company in 2014, Michelle served as the CEO of BioMelbourne Network, Victoria’s peak body for biotechnology, a $60 billion sector in this state. Michelle spent six years as the state advocate for the commercialisation of research, clinical trials and increased investment in the biotech sector building policies and programs to facilitate the commercialisation of the country’s best medical research discoveries.
