Women Clinicians in Academic Leadership: Sharing Our Superpowers

Researchers from across the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences recently came together for an engaging two-part series delivered by the MMS Research Support Team and the Women Clinicians in Academic Leadership group.

Participants at the Superpowers in Progress graduate workshop.

Pictured: Participants at the Superpowers in Progress graduate workshop.

The afternoon began with Superpowers in Progress, an interactive workshop tailored for graduate researchers. Through a panel discussion and creative group activities, participants explored how leadership and collaboration can emerge in unexpected ways. Speakers Dr Emma Macdonald-Laurs, Dr Aneta Kotevski, Dr Warda Syeda, and Dr Tami Yap shared candid reflections on navigating significant personal challenges, graduate research and early career transitions in an open discussion mediated by Associate Professor Caroline Johnson. The session encouraged attendees to recognise their strengths, challenge assumptions about academic life, and discover their collective “superpowers.”

Graduate researchers who attended were also invited to apply for the Superpowers in Action award, offering up to $1000 in funding to pursue a professional development opportunity to support their growth.

Panellists at Sharing Our Superpowers: Enabling the Next Generation of Women Clinician Academics.

Pictured: Panellists at Sharing Our Superpowers: Enabling the Next Generation of Women Clinician Academics.

The momentum continued into the evening with Sharing Our Superpowers: Enabling the Next Generation of Women Clinician Academics. This lively Q&A brought together a diverse panel of clinician academics and interdisciplinary collaborators: Associate Professor Jessica Biesiekierski, Dr Rachel McQuade, Dr Barbara Hunter, Dr Rim Ghali, Professor Zornitza Stark, and Dr Sebastian Lunke. Facilitated by Associate Professor Caroline Johnson, the conversation explored how academics build teams, work across disciplines and harness collective strengths to create lasting change.

Both sessions fostered a warm and inclusive environment, with attendees staying on to network over canapés and drinks. Thank you to all who participated and contributed to making these events a valuable experience for our MMS community.