Associate Professor Parwinder Kaur, a renowned biotechnologist and UWA Public Policy Institute Fellow, will draw on years of experience as a scientist, academic and immigrant to work with the Federal Government creating pathways to better support diversity in Australia’s STEM sectors.

“Being a woman and immigrant navigating academia and industry I have deep lived experience of the biases and invisible hurdles that are out there which we all need to work on to not only increase participation in STEM but also retention."

Associate Professor Parwinder Kaur, UWA

She has been appointed to the independent expert panel for the Pathway to Diversity in STEM Review by Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic, one of three panellists and the only West Australian and academic to be appointed.

The review is part of the Government’s commitment to boost diversity and increase the participation of broader communities in Australia’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) sectors.

Associate Professor Kaur will serve alongside chair Ms Sally-Ann Williams, a leader in the technology and entrepreneurial space, and Ms Mikaela Jade, a proud Cabrogal woman of the Dharug-speaking nations who is passionate about storytelling, technology and knowledge-sharing.

Image: (from left to right) Members of the Diversity in STEM panel, Ms Mikaela jade, Ms Sally-Ann Williams and Associate Professor Parwinder Kaur with Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be appointed as a panel member for Diversity in STEM, to serve alongside the amazing Sally-Ann Williams and Mikaela Jade working under the leadership of Minister Husic and his team,” she said.

“As a panel, we’re passionate about achieving real diversity in STEM education and careers which includes, but isn’t limited to, women, girls, non-binary people, our First Nations people, culturally and linguistically diverse people, migrants, people living with disabilities, young people, mature age people, regional and remote residents.

“Being a woman and immigrant navigating academia and industry I have deep lived experience of the biases and invisible hurdles that are out there which we all need to work on to not only increase participation in STEM but also retention. 

“I’m extremely grateful to the Albanese Government and Minister for taking the initiative to engage not just with key stakeholders, but with a range of communities, including those that might not currently identify themselves as being in STEM.”

Minister Husic said the expert panel brought a wide range of experience to the task and would contribute recommendations and guidance on improving diversity in STEM.

The Pathway to Diversity in STEM Review’s webpage can be found here for those who would like to learn more about what it hopes to achieve.