Inaugural MMS Women Clinicians in Academic Leadership Symposium

The first-ever MMS Women Clinicians in Academic Leadership Symposium, held on Wednesday 4 November, attracted 439 attendees from Australia and overseas with more than half external to the University of Melbourne.

With the theme ‘The power of authentic leadership’, speakers from universities, hospitals, health services and community organisations shared insights and their personal experiences with attendees.  The event was facilitated by Helga Svendsen with exemplary administrative support from Sarah Marcola. For those unable to attend, a recording is available online.

The 2020 Women Clinicians in Academic Leadership Symposium working group is led by Associate Professor Margie Danchin and includes Associate Professor Jane Munro, Dr Anthea Rhodes, Associate Professor Jill Sewell, Dr Anita Goh, Associate Professor Marie Bismark, Professor Kate Drummond, Dr Samantha Loi, Professor Lena Sanci, Associate Professor Jo-Anne Manski-Nankervis and Dr Ruth Mitchell.

The Women Clinicians in Academic Leadership working group has already begun planning its next event with a view to building a community of practice to support women in academia thrive in leadership.

Attendee testimonials

• "Sometimes leadership can feel quite a lonely place. This symposium was inspiring, encouraging and thought provoking. Hearing from other women in different roles, yet having similar concerns/reflections/experiences was so inclusive. The organisers managed to foster a sense of community incredibly well despite it all being online. Thank you so much."
• "It was excellent, well done and so much work went into it. Thanks for taking the leadership and getting this off the ground"
• "The organising team and the speakers were so talented to keep audience engaged regardless of being on zoom"
• "I enjoyed hearing from lots of different inspiring people that I either knew about and learnt something new, or didn't know about and now want to know more!”