The Australian Government recognises the significant contribution of the Women in STEM Ambassador, Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith and her office to advancing gender equality in STEM in Australia.

Since 2018, Professor Harvey-Smith and her office have contributed research, tools, and resources to help break down structural barriers that prevent women and girls from participating in STEM education and careers.

Professor Harvey Smith has been a trailblazer for women and girls, showing what is possible to achieve in STEM and inspiring future generations of scientists to explore the world around them and pursue STEM education and careers.

Pathway to Diversity in STEM Review: Final Recommendations report highlights that more effort is required to remove the cultural and systemic barriers preventing people from all backgrounds entering and continuing in STEM education and careers and called for targeted changes the government’s Women in STEM programs.  

As part of this change, the Women in STEM Ambassador functions will be amalgamated into other programs. 

An extra $38 million has been allocated to Diversity in STEM programs in the Budget, including $8.5 million to increase the Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship grants to fund long-term projects that support women, including First Nations women, women from regional and rural locations, and non-binary people.

The government is considering the recommendations of the Pathway to Diversity in STEM Review: Final Recommendations and will respond in due course.

Quotes attributable to the Hon. Ed Husic, Minister for Industry and Science:

“My sincere thanks to Professor Lisa Harvey Smith and the Office of the Women in STEM Ambassador for their important work to support Australian women and girls in STEM over the last six years.

“Professor Harvey-Smith’s work has been important in helping us understand how to support more girls and women to thrive in STEM. 

“Following the release of the independent Pathway to Diversity in STEM Review final report earlier this year, the government is focused on improving our suite of programs to support more underrepresented groups to pursue STEM education and careers.

“We need more women and people from diverse backgrounds joining our STEM sector, so that more Australians can go into secure, well-paid jobs.”