QUT female academic staff will be given the chance to take part in a leadership "shadowing" program which has been launched at QUT as part of the university's commitment to Gender Equity and Diversity in STEMM (science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine).
The pilot program will see 12 female academic staff from the Faculties of Science, Engineering and Health shadowing senior leaders from across the university.
Participants will be given the opportunity to spend time with the leaders getting involved with their day-to-day activities and gaining hands on experience and insights into the senior executive team.
Dr Natalie Pollard will be one of the first participants in the program, and is looking forward to the opportunity.
"Shadowing a senior leader is a unique opportunity to experience leadership first-hand," Dr Pollard said.
"I'm excited to learn more about what the day-to-day role of a senior leader involves, and how this relates back to the work that I do every day."
The program is part of a larger initiative at QUT which aims to improve progression and retention of academic women in STEMM, through support programs, removing barriers and biases, providing better access to leadership positions, and actively involving senior staff.
The commitment to this program has been established from the top, with QUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Sheil inviting one of the participants to shadow her during the program.
"As a scientist myself, I have seen first-hand the historical and structural inequities that can lead to discrimination against women, trans and gender-diverse people in STEMM," Professor Sheil said.
"I am excited to take part in a program that supports other women in STEMM to flourish and progress their careers."
The program will kick off on September 7 and run until April 2023, with participants being invited to a series of workshops, events and networking opportunities in addition to the time spent 'shadowing'.
The Women in STEMM team aim to extend this opportunity to more female academics in STEMM at QUT in the future.
