Building an ecosystem – and ensuring women are a key part of it
The biggest thing our Centre is trying to do is explore how microcombs might transform society, and to build an ecosystem to make that happen.
We want that ecosystem to take full advantage of the plethora of creativity and drive that Australia has to offer.
However, sadly today, half of that ecosystem is woefully underrepresented – particularly in senior roles.
So what are we doing about this as a Centre?
On International Women’s Day (and every day!), our Centre aims to level the playing field and create opportunities for women in research – and there’s still more to do.
How are we balancing the scales?
⚖️ We ran a Career Restart Grant in 2025 with a successful participant to give someone the opportunity to reignite their career after a career break
⚖️ Supported our researchers who are also carers to attend our Annual Workshop, by employing support staff
⚖️ We ran a Culture Survey in 2025 that showed us a baseline of data of where our Centre stands (with the aim to provide interventions to then follow up in 2027).
⚖️ We have a PhD student researching our COMBS practices in equity, diversity and inclusion
⚖️ We are rolling out an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment across the Centre, so it’s embedded in every decision we make
⚖️ We have upskilled our Centre members at the annual InSTEM event about challenges and solutions in equity, diversity and inclusion
