To celebrate National Science Week (August 10-18), Tyneesha Williams speaks to a local leader empowering women in STEM.

Georgia Watson has committed her career to supporting women in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and entrepreneurship.

A project officer at the LIFT initiative at iAccelerate at the University of Wollongong, Georgia has a background in ecology and Antarctic research, and says that the field continues to be dominated by patriarchal attitudes.

“There are still cultural issues around accepting people who are women, non-binary, gender diverse, culturally diverse, or those with different sexualities, Georgia says.

“We need diverse voices in climate solutions, and when this job came up at iAccelerate, it was a really good fit for me and what I wanted to shift toward.”

Graduating from University of Wollongong with a Bachelor of Science with a major in biology, Georgia says she didn’t find her stride until her second year of studies, when she switched from human biology to ecology.

“I was first interested in science because of things like David Attenborough documentaries. Steve Irwin was my hero growing up," Georgia says.

“It wasn’t until later in life that I realised I didn’t have any female role models growing up. It was literally all the men of these adventure shows. It took me a really long time to see myself in the field.

“When I got to meet people in ecology and biology who were women from diverse backgrounds, I thought, ‘Oh, anybody could do this’. It’s not just white men on the telly.”

Georgia is a part of Homeward Bound, a women in STEM leadership initiative with a focus on climate action and sustainability. She will join a voyage to Antarctica in January 2025 with her cohort of 88 women and gender-diverse individuals from 26 nations.

“We all have a different way of looking at the world," Georgia says.

"We all have different local communities and local solutions with expertise across science, technology, engineering, maths, medicine, and creatives are starting to come into the mix as well.

“It’s about coming together and whatever you need, you can ask of the network. It’s kind of combatting the boys' club in that it’s a network of people trained in leadership who value compassion and kindness and are working towards a shared vision.”

This cohort’s voyage will be the last to go to Antarctica for Homeward Bound. The alumni and current cohort have decided as a collective that the region is changing too rapidly to justify continued trips.

Georgia and her cohort are rallying the Illawarra community to raise funds for Homeward Bounders through initiatives such as a screening of Rising Up at UOW Science Space in June.

“One person said that the cost of undertaking the leadership program and the voyage is 200 times one person’s salary where she lives,” Georgia says.

In 2023, the Australian Government reported that only 15% of STEM-qualified jobs are held by women. Georgia is helping to increase diversity in the field and create more varied climate solutions in the coming years.

"If you think of a leader, a lot of people think of Steve Jobs types. But when I think of a leader you go to in a crisis… It's mums. Mums are the leaders that we want in charge," Georgia says.

“I'm still seeing panels that are all white men. And really, what different perspectives are you going to get from a panel like that?

"Support women who are in positions of power. Support women's voices and support a variety of voices." 

Georgia emphasises connection as a tool for change and encourages locals to get involved in community initiatives that interest them. 

Locals can help reduce waste through organisations like Circular Plastics Illawarra, or connect through groups like Beach Cleanups Illawarra. Georgia also notes the work of Tomorrow Movement and the Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC), which both have local chapters in the Illawarra.

“Whatever you care about, get out and get active. That can be a way past feeling like nothing's changing when you actually see how things are changing, Georgia says.

“It can be off-putting to put yourself in a vulnerable position to talk about big things like climate change, renewable energy, saying no to plastics… but nothing will change without it.”