Networking on the move reveals pathways for women in STEMM

A stretch and a stroll through Puckeys reserve in Fairy Meadow on a cold morning has hatched many an idea, and a group of women who did so last month may have hatched many more.

Thirty-five women across science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine gathered for STEMM Strolls at iAccelerate on UOW's Innovation campus, rugging up and sharing a four-kilometre walk through the beautiful beachside location to kick off their day.

iAccelerate director Tamantha Stutchbury said the number of women in STEMM subjects was less than it should be.

“In a region like this, with such an amazing manufacturing and engineering base, we're just trying to encourage women in STEMM to get out and connect and build networks in informal relaxed manner – walking side by side on beautiful nature to build connections,” Tamantha says.

Following their stroll, the group returned to the campus for coffee and breakfast at Gypsy Jones cafe and an inspiring talk from event sponsors Green Gravity.

Green Gravity's sustainable market development manager, Tania Jones, says networking events such as STEMM Strolls give local companies the opportunity to connect with diverse talent.

"Being a mining and steel manufacturing region, we have many of the trades, engineering and science capabilities we need to be able to mature our tech. But fundamental to that is the innovative thinking and understanding of the energy transition,” Tania says.

“We are making sure that in this next round of innovation in the Illawarra, we're including all of the capability the region has to offer, not only our trades or industries that may be male-dominated.

''We want to make sure that we pick up all the smarts and capability in the region, including our First Nations people, because we've got a lot of heritage here, a lot of reasons to protect the area and a lot of the ingenuity to be able to bring good solutions.”

Strength in diversity

Dr Pabasara Wanniarachchige said she spoke to undergraduate students, master students, PhD students and researchers, among others. 

''I met people who are doing medicine in Alzheimer's disease, that’s very different research to what I do,” she said.

“I met aspiring undergraduate students and people doing IT, AI, cyber-security and I'm doing civil engineering in geo energy systems, so talking to people to inspire them as an academic and get inspiration is great."

Sandali Maleesha  and Chamini Waravita, PhD students of Dr Wanniarachchige's, also attended and talked to a broad range of women on various topics.  

Attendees Akanksha Mudgal and Jasleen Singh said they had enjoyed the chance to meet people of different backgrounds and sectors. 

"I spoke with Rebecca – we had a wonderful catch up talking about how your culture and your heritage really influences you as an individual. And that was really eye-opening,” Akanksha says.

Jasleen noted the walk got her steps up for the day before she was able to network with others at different stages of their careers. 

"I had a very interesting conversation with Leanne, who works as a chief people officer,'' she says. ''She was talking about how she's worked at three different successful start-ups across software but also now hybrid technology and she's been in Wollongong the entire time."

A good 'circuit-breaker'

Biologist Rachelle Balez spoke to people in physics, mental health and engineering. 

“It felt really natural to talk and just connect,'' Rachelle says. ''I think the benefit of the walk is that when those natural pauses come in conversation, instead of feeling awkward and scrabbling around like ‘oh, what do I say next, what's the next question’, you have a moment to have a circuit-breaker – look at the beautiful nature, take in where you are and then naturally a question comes and the conversation continues.”

Student Rabia Sandhu appreciated the organic nature of the event and how that enabled conversation. 

“It's nice to go out there and see so many beautiful women getting together and sharing the STEMM passion and showing what their niche is, what they like to do,'' Rabia says. 

''I was talking to one of the academic staff about her journey when she started uni, and how she got into the career that she's doing right now. And it's lovely to hear and share these stories. It's amazing.

“It's not rehearsed – you're not overthinking. I really enjoyed this. If I had to describe this walk in one word, I would say it's inspiring.”