NOW is keen to initiate a variety of forums for communication and education amongst the women of Materials Science and Engineering using a variety of strategies. Activities and Profiles are outlined below.

Gaining contact with women in Materials Science and Engineering is only the beginning of the process to encourage involvement of women in the field at all levels. Continuing communication and promotion includes the establishment of this web page and noticeboard as well as written and verbal contact with members of the network. By providing communication channels and establishing relationships between women in the field it is hoped to provide support that may currently be lacking.

Publication of a NOW newsletter was envisaged as being crucial for informing NOW members of upcoming events and any academic positions that may become available within the School. The NOW Newsletter has been developed in conjunction with the School Newsletter. The latter has a wide and already established circulation, and it was perceived that placing NOW within the context of the School activities would benefit NOW far better than having an independent newsletter. Henceforth, NOW news items will figure prominently in the school newsletter.

A regular seminar series organised at least once every 2 months. The field of speakers, preferably women, would be drawn from all Materials Science related areas such as academia, industry, human resources, innovation and commercialisation. The purpose would be to open discussion on the perks and pitfalls present in different workplace scenarios and how these could be overcome. Two seminar series, held on 24th September and 26th November 2004, successfully concluded to date. The third and final seminar organised for 24th February 2005, where Dr. Clara van Aswegen, Air Liquide, USA has agreed to be the keynote speaker.

Informal written surveys addressing relevant issues were conducted at the conclusion of each seminar series, and the results collated to arrive at specific conclusions.

A new initiative for women at all levels in Materials Science and Engineering particularly with reference to addressing inequity at the Unversity of New South Wales at all levels of academia. Commencing soon. Contact NOW for more details.

At the conclusion of the project, workshops and meetings are to be organised for potential applicants to discuss research/academic career opportunities in Materials Science and Engineering at the University of New South Wales under the guidance of the Head of School and staff career development office.

Materials NOW at UNSW is but part of a world wide community of women already involved in Materials Science and Engineering. Ongoing partnership between NOW at UNSW, industry, our alumni, current students, other educational institutions, government and supporters across the UNSW itself is vital to the success of NOW in the long term. NOW is not a one off endeavour but just one step in a continuing journey of progress in Materials Science and Engineering. A Network of Women is just that, a network and we cannot work in isolation.

Partnership with NOW may involve attendance at our seminar series, presenting at our seminar series, receiving news updates, participating in the mentor program, becoming a mentor in NOW, financially supporting female students, contributing to our news updates or providing a brief profile of yourself and your story to encourage other women.

 

Another part of this initiative is establishing a database of women, particularly graduates in the field. This would allow a minimum cost and effort perpetuation of the network at the conclusion of the grant. If you would like to join us please contact us.

Graduated from the UNSW School of Mat. Sc and Engg in 2001, and after a brief stint in the industry for her work experience, joined Ph.D. She has been at the University of Sydney for 2 and half years now and her area of research is Biomaterials, specifically bioceramics.

Rita completed her BSc & MSc in Physics from Punjab University and her PhD from Madras University in India. She is a Researcher associated with the School of Materials Science for more than 8 years. Formerly with ANU, Canberra. An illustrious career spanning many years with the Indian Atomic Energy Commission. Rita was a fellow at the Institute for Solid State Research, Nuclear Research Centre in Germany and has published extensively in prestigious international journals.

Awarded a Co-op Scholarship to do Process Metallurgy at UNSW. Completed four industrial training placements in that time. In third year, she completed an independent 6-month exchange at the Technical University of Aachen in Germany.

Graduated with first class honours May 2004 in Process Metallurgy. Currently working at Tomago Aluminium on a two year graduate program. Will finish at Tomago in February 2005 to start a Masters in Physical Metallurgy at the Technical University of Aachen in April 2005 (Jami is currently enrolled as a student in Germany while still working at Tomago!)

Linda has a BA (Hons) in Economics and Political Science from the University of Sydney and an MBA (Human Resources) from the University of Technology.

Currently the HR Manager for Boral Clay & Concrete Products, East Coast. She provides human resources support and services to three of the Clay & Concrete businesses that employ around 1,800 people, Australia wide. Earlier, Linda was the HR Manager for the Australian Construction Materials and Building Products for Pioneer International Limited (now Hanson Australia). Involved in a number of projects at Pioneer including the divestment of the Building Products division to Bristile Limited, a review of an international HR Information System and a review of grades and positions in the Malaysian and Singaporean businesses. Linda has been working in Human Resources for about 15 years, and has also worked as consultant in EEO and Affirmative Action for the Triulzi Group and HR support and administration for GE Medical Systems.

Graduated with First class Honours from UNSW in 1989. Worked as graduate metallurgist at Comalco Rolled Products for a year. CSIRO Experimental Scientist in Wool Technology at Ryde from 1990-1996. Ph. D. in textile Technology at UNSW in the same period. Further four-year stint with CSIRO Minerals. From 2000 onwards, Director with Zynergy, a consulting company. Also consultant at Robe River Iron Associates. Management of the relocation project at CSIRO Minerals Ryde in 2000-2001. Early 2004, took over as Project Officer for Women in Engineering Equity Project at UWS, and is responsible for unit development for 1st Year Engineering and Industrial Design Practice at UWS. Celeste is a member of the Institution of Engineers, Australia and currently studying homoeopathic medicine at Sydney College of Homoeopathic Medicine at Ashfield. Accomplished pianist and Associate of Trinity College London in Piano Performance.

Commenced studies at Flinders University, SA where she undertook a B.Sc. (Hons.) majoring in chemistry and geology. Awarded an AMIRA scholarship for postgraduate studies at the Ian Wark Research Institute at the University of SA. Graduated with a Master of Applied Science in 2000. Enhanced her knowledge in commercial applications of science with Graduate Diploma of Business upgraded to an MBA. Specialised in business strategy and management of innovation of technology, invaluable to her as a Business Development Manager at Unisearch, UNSW. Responsible for evaluating the market potential of UNSW Physical Sciences research and overseeing the commercialisation of projects.

Earlier, worked for two years as a scientific marketing specialist with Varian OSI, a multinational scientific instrument manufacturer and as R&D chemist for four years at DSTO (Defence Science and Technology).as a task manager within Weapon Systems Division. Served a long-term attachment to Defence Evaluation Research Association (Qinetiq), Ministry of Defence Fort Halstead, UK.