The Institute for Glycomics recognises the value of having women in life sciences. For centuries women have made significant contributions to society, perfectly demonstrated by the fact that 51 women in total have been awarded the Nobel Prize between 1901 and 2018, twenty of which were awarded the Nobel Prize in the fields of physics, chemistry, physiology, or medicine.
However, it is also important to acknowledge the barriers that women face and the challenges that they must overcome to be successful if they choose a research career. A gender bias could potentially affect research outcomes and damage women’s health. Women make up half the workforce and earn more university degrees than men, yet the gender gap in science persists, to a greater degree than in other professions.
The Institute for Glycomics puts in practice gender balance and actively encourages employment and career progression of women in science. It is for these reasons that the Institute for Glycomics took the initiative to establish the Glycomics Circle, an impressive group of powerful women coming together with the sole purpose of supporting female scientists at the Institute for Glycomics.
A group of like-minded, ambitious women, members of the Glycomics Circle use their collective wisdom, connections and resources to raise funds and awareness for the Institute’s female researchers, students and facilities, and recognise their significant contributions to the Institute’s daily fight against diseases of global impact through translational science.
Impressively, members of the Glycomics Circle have collectively raised over AU$80,000 for female scientists at the Institute for Glycomics. These funds have been utilised in various ways, which include supporting female early career researchers through scholarships, Honours student scholarships, travel opportunities to attend national and international science conferences and competitions, or to aid the purchase of new equipment and consumables.
The Glycomics Circle is always looking for new members to join and help their cause. Members meet together several times a year at special events which include a lovely lunch, or morning or afternoon tea, where they enjoy each other’s company and listen to presentations from staff and students on how the Glycomics Circle’s financial contributions have aided them in their research projects.
If you would like to become a member of the Glycomics Circle, please get in touch with us: [email protected] or 07 5552 8051.