Empowering Women and Gender-Diverse Individuals

The Women and Gender-Diverse Workshop, held from 17-19 February 2025 at the Rydges Gold Coast Airport, brought together EQUS’ women and gender-diverse individuals for three days of insightful discussions, personal stories, and networking opportunities. The event offered a dynamic mix of professional development sessions, career advice, and community-building activities. 

As Salini Karuvade, co-chair of the workshop, reflected, “The workshop provided valuable insights and practical advice. The sessions were engaging and offered great strategies for career growth and overcoming workplace challenges.” Her words highlighted the core focus of the event, which was designed to empower and inspire those navigating the unique challenges of academia, while also fostering greater collaboration and mentorship within the scientific community. 

Monday set the stage for a highly engaging and thought-provoking event. Attendees were welcomed by a series of presentations from Chief Investigators (CIs) including Sally Shrapnel and Xanthe Croot. The afternoon featured a lively research poster session, providing participants with the opportunity to showcase their work and engage with peers. The evening concluded with a social and icebreaker event that allowed attendees to relax and connect. 

Tuesday’s highlight was the panel on the “Personal Journeys of Chief Investigators to Academic Leadership in Quantum Physics.” In this session, a group of CIs shared the stories of their paths to leadership in a field where women and gender-diverse individuals are still underrepresented. The stories, filled with humour, resilience, and vulnerability, left a lasting impact on the audience. 

“The best part for me was hearing the interesting, funny and touching stories from CIs about their personal journeys to academic leadership in quantum physics,” Kerstin Beer, an attendee, noted. 

Following this, a panel discussion on “Building Collaborations and Scientific Networks” offered valuable strategies for career progression, including tips on fostering professional relationships and navigating academic environments. Later in the day, attendees had the opportunity to network, discuss ideas, and reflect on the sessions. 

Wednesday focused on career development and navigating the academic landscape. The morning sessions included practical workshops on “Navigating Difficult Workplace Cultures” and “Confident Communication Skills.” These sessions provided tangible advice for tackling common workplace challenges, empowering participants to make confident strides in their academic careers. 

Although the final workshop by Aggie Branczyk, titled “Transitioning to a Career Outside of Academia,” was unfortunately cancelled due to weather-related flight delays, it was later rescheduled as a centre-wide workshop. Despite the scheduling change, the overall experience remained enriching, leaving attendees with new insights, perspectives, and professional connections. 

Throughout the three days, the sense of community among participants was a defining feature. Networking sessions were collaborative and supportive, while evening activities such as trivia games offered a fun and relaxed way for attendees to bond. As Kerstin Beer remarked, “The workshop was an incredibly inspiring and empowering event. Overall, it was a fantastic experience!” 

The Women and Gender-Diverse EQUS workshop offered invaluable professional development and fostered a stronger sense of solidarity among women and gender-diverse individuals in quantum physics. The event provided participants with new tools for navigating their careers, as well as the inspiration to continue breaking barriers in academia.