Sustaining diversity in STEM: Addressing the leaky pipeline for breakthrough science
The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence scheme brings together researchers to achieve breakthrough science, but to collaborate effectively, you need a full spectrum of perspectives. Diverse teams can tackle bigger questions and problems – essential for achieving society-wide impact at COMBS.
The challenge
Diversity pays dividends, but maintaining it is difficult
The seven-year Centre of Excellence scheme enables collaborations across universities to achieve breakthrough science.
However, breakthroughs need more than collaboration, they require diverse perspectives. Research shows that inclusive, respectful science is not just good practice – it drives better knowledge generation and broader societal impact.
Yet, STEM faces challenges. Many high school students start interested in STEM, but girls often disengage due to systemic barriers. Achieving gender balance at more senior levels is also challenging as women take on disproportionate family responsibilities.
The challenge isn’t just attracting diversity – it’s maintaining and nurturing it to build a truly diverse and self-sustaining research ecosystem at COMBS.
The COMBS Women and Gender Diverse Network at the 2025 COMBS Workshop in Victor Harbor.
Our response
Identifying and addressing barriers to a truly diverse ecosystem at COMBS
To foster a more diverse research environment, COMBS’ Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee is committing to understand where and why diversity is lost in STEM.
Two key research initiatives are investigating this.
PhD research led by Professor Amanda Berry explores why high school students disengage from STEM and how to sustain their participation.
Research by Professor Robyn Barnacle is examining barriers to recruitment and retention, preventing diverse talent from progressing from junior to senior postdoctoral levels, while investigating effective equity, diversity and inclusion practices.
Both studies use the Centre as case study for STEM more broadly, aiming to build a more diverse and self-sustaining research ecosystem.
The results and current progress
Building a diverse team to drive breakthrough science
These initiatives will help the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee to understand the broader context over time.
Other more immediate actions are already aiming to improve inclusivity:
- The Carer’s Grant supported two researchers to attend the 2024 COMBS Workshop with their child.
- An expanded Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee now integrates diverse expertise and perspectives, including government relations and training.
- Inclusive recruitment guidelines are in place to attract a broader applicant pool, with further implementation support planned.
By pinpointing where diversity is lost in the leaky pipeline and finding ways to sustain it, COMBS aims to foster a research ecosystem rich in diverse perspectives.
This commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion will not only drive breakthrough science, but also help COMBS to achieve society-wide impact.
Our COMBS team at the 2024 Workshop in Cape Schanck.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee
Ruth Waterman
Ruth coordinates the research, training and development activities, and the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee at the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Optical Microcombs for Breakthrough Science (COMBS).
Professor Sumeet Walia
Sumeet is a materials engineer and creates devices that mimic human vision and brain function for advanced neuromorphics, sensors and precision measurement.
Professor Heike Ebendorff-Heidepriem
Heike is a specialist in photonics materials – particularly glass and fibres – used for outcomes in advanced manufacturing and defence.
Dr William (Bill) Corcoran
Bill is an optical communications researcher focusing on using novel photonic technologies to fix problems in the systems underpinning the backbone of the internet.
Professor Robyn Barnacle
Robyn is a Professor in research education and is passionate about supporting researchers and creating a more just world through education, research, and culture change.
Professor Allison Kealy
Allison is a Professor specialising in Geodesy and resilient positioning, navigation, and timing, with the aim of developing more resilient navigation systems that can operate without dependency on satellite signals.