Be a Catalyst for Change: Breaking Down Barriers to Maximise Australian Female Talent in Chemistry
Anitha Kopinathan A B , Lucy Weaver C E and Katherine Locock
A D E
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A CSIRO Manufacturing, Research Way, Clayton, Vic. 3168, Australia.
B Current address: Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Vic. 3052, Australia.
C Swinburne Research, Swinburne University of Technology, 24 Wakefield Street, Hawthorn, Vic. 3122, Australia.
D School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Melbourne School of Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic. 3010, Australia.
E Corresponding authors. Email: lweaver@swin.edu.au; Katherine.Locock@csiro.au
Australian Journal of Chemistry 73(10) 853-860 https://doi.org/10.1071/CH19544
Submitted: 23 October 2019 Accepted: 14 January 2020 Published: 5 June 2020
Journal Compilation © CSIRO 2020 Open Access CC BY-NC-ND
Abstract
Catalysts were invented to speed up chemical reactions, helping to maximise yields from available resources. If the same logic is applied to chemists themselves, what impact would this have on helping us maximise Australian female talent in the chemistry sector? This article aims to provide information on the current problems faced by female chemists across categories of workplace culture, work–life balance, measures of merit, and mentorship. It also serves as a call to action for all of us who work in the chemistry sector to be that catalyst (#catalystforchangeinchemistry) – to help speed up change towards gender equality that will, in turn, maximise our collective and diverse talents.
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