The Morrison Government today awards two special fellowships to leading female researchers, who will work to promote and inspire greater female participation in research.
Professor Catherine Lovelock at The University of Queensland has been named the 2020 ARC Georgina Sweet Australian Laureate Fellow to grow the Flying Scientists Initiative that visits regional towns to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics with a focus on encouraging girls and women.
Professor Maureen Dollard at University of South Australia has been named the 2020 ARC Kathleen Fitzpatrick Australian Laureate Fellow to lead 50 female Australian PhD students to improve research strategies and develop new opportunities for interdisciplinary research.
Minister for Education Dan Tehan said both recipients were respected academics who had impressive records of promoting female participation in research.
"I congratulate Professor Dollard and Professor Lovelock on this outstanding achievement. Both researchers will be worthy ambassadors, mentoring female researchers to achieve excellence and to progress within their chosen fields," Mr Tehan said.
"We want more Australian girls to pursue careers undertaking world-leading research - their talent and intellect is one of Australia's greatest natural resources.
"We want to increase the number of women in the research sector and increase the number of women who progress on to more senior roles.
"Professors Lovelock and Dollard will be able to use their experience as researchers to inspire and support more women to follow in their footsteps into research."
