Congratulations to our 2019 superstars of STEM

Dr Anita Goh (Department of Psychiatry, Academic Unit for Psychiatry of Old Age) and Dr Kudzai Kanhutu (Department of Medicine and Radiology, Royal Melbourne Hospital) ​​have been selected from a national search to participate in the 2019 Science and Technology Australia (STA) Superstars of STEM program. [1]

STEM superstars Dr Kudzai Kanhutu and Dr Anita Goh
Dr Kudzai Kanhutu and Dr Anita Goh

This prestigious program aims to smash society’s gender assumptions about scientists and increase the public visibility of women in STEM.

STA started Superstars of STEM to create a critical mass of celebrity Australian female scientists and technologists - role models for young women and girls – and to work towards equal representation in the media of women and men working in all fields in STEM.

Over five years, 150 female scientists and technologists will be equipped with advanced communication skills and provide with genuine opportunities to use these skills in the media, on the stage and in speaking with decision makers.

Working with participants over two years, the program strives to;

  • Support 60 women employed in a range of roles in science, technology, engineering and mathematics to become highly visible public role models
  • Build the public profile of 60 women employed in STEM though training in public speaking, media and communicating with influence and through creating opportunities to practice their newly acquired skills
  • Empower participants to share their story and their work with general audiences by equipping them with advanced communications skills and an understanding of traditional media, social media and story-telling
  • Smash imposter syndrome and build confidence in a range of professional settings, participants will learn how to communicate with influence, in their workplaces, in the media and with leaders and politicians
  • Directly encourage young women and girls to study and stay in STEM, by program participants speaking with them in their schools and workplaces and by providing prominent public role models for them to aspire to


For more information https://scienceandtechnologyaustralia.org.au/what-we-do/superstars-of-stem/​

[1] Please note there may be more MMS superstars

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