Emeritus Professor Maree Smith AC will be promoting gender equality in the life sciences as the keynote speaker at AusBiotech’s Queensland Women in Life Sciences Luncheon.
Prominent life science leaders will share the insights that have worked and that underpin their actions to promote gender equality during the Luncheon in Brisbane on Friday 6 September 2019.
The Luncheon includes an hour of discussion on the theme: An hour to empower, where Emeritus Professor Smith, Director CIPDD – School of Biomedical Sciences, UQ, will deliver a keynote address, followed by a powerhouse panel of five leaders bringing together research, biotech and medtech perspectives.
Each will share their experiences in making a difference and rebalancing gender equity within the workplace, and focus on actions to inspire delegates to take action and make a difference.
The Luncheon provides a forum for women to gather and support one another in their careers in life sciences in order to achieve a more equal gender standing.
Emeritus Professor Smith has combined her research career with her strong sense of responsibility to guide the next generation. She was honoured as a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2019 for her eminent service to science through pioneering research and innovation in the treatment of neuropathic pain, including her quests in gender equity and as a role model.
“With hard work, girls can do anything, women can do anything. I strongly believe in those principles,” saidEmeritus Professor Smith.
Panellists include: Jordan Debono (Young Ambassador 2018 - Wonder of Science), Dr Sue Keay (Research Director - Cyber Physical Systems - Data61 CSIRO), Dr Carrie Hillyard AM FTSE (Chairman Fitgenes Australia, Director ATSE, Mentor IMNIS), Barry Thomas (Director, Cook Medical Asia Pacific and Vice President), and Dr Kylie Ellis (Manager of Research and Commercial Partnerships – Microba). Read their biographies here.
From an unacceptably low base, women have steadily been working towards equal representation in life sciences. The time has now passed for identifying the issues - they are globally recognised. It is now time to begin addressing them; it is time for action. It is time to come together and empower each other to make a difference.
Delegates have the opportunity to join the ‘Big Sisters’ programme during the registration process, which invites women advanced in their careers in the sector to sponsor a student to attend the event and meet their network during the Luncheon. Sponsorship of a sister is for the Luncheon only and a practical and tangible way that leaders in the life sciences can provide support and encouragement to a woman in the early stages of her career in life sciences. Sponsors will be recognised at the event and the sponsored sister seated at the same table. Little Sisters will also receive a one-year membership of AusBiotech.
Let us join forces, be inspired by solutions, and consider what we can do to take the next steps in increasing females in senior leadership positions. Let us use the strength and bond we hold amongst women to further galvanise the diversity required within life sciences. For this is the underpinning to building a successful sector – a position supported regardless of gender.