2 minute read
Sharing experiences with the next generation of STEM
from Contact 14
BY SEBASTIAN NEUWEILER (SKAO)
After being awarded a Visiting Fellowship for Senior Women+ in Astronomy with the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR), SKA-Low Telescope Engineer Dr Maria Grazia Labate has emphasised gender equality to the next generation of STEM in Australia.
The fellowship aims to provide an opportunity for senior women and gender minorities working as astronomers, engineers and data scientists within astronomy to visit ICRAR in Perth and interact with early-career researchers and graduate students.
Dr Labate has a wealth of knowledge to share. After receiving a master’s degree in telecommunication engineering, she worked as a system integration and technology analyst for telecommunication companies. She received a PhD in electronic engineering and worked for aerospace and defence companies as an antenna and phased-array designer, both for satellites and radars, before joining the SKAO in 2013.
It is this extensive experience that Dr Labate drew upon when she delivered a science seminar and diversity workshop as part of her fellowship. She spent time with students and researchers at the University of Western Australia and Curtin University – joint venture partners of ICRAR – discussing science and engineering, work-life balance, and gender equality in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
“Studying and working in a male-dominated environment can pose many challenges, which can vary depending on the people you meet, the university or organisation you work for, the culture you are in and from, your personality and your background,” she said.
“In my experience and speaking with my female colleagues, I saw how many challenges are common and how, sooner or later, you are forced to face unpleasant behaviours and must decide how to deal with them. At the SKAO there is a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion which is very important, because reinforcing these values from the top then feeds down into everyday interactions.
“STEM is a wonderful and challenging environment, where collaboration and diversity are essential to develop new ideas which will lead us to amazing discoveries. I see it as part of our job to defend these values, so I’m honoured to be part of the ICRAR fellowship, working together with researchers, graduate students and staff towards a better and more equitable world, starting from our study and work environment.”
