International Women’s Day Special with Dr Cathy Foley

In our first-ever episode of Shape Our Future, a special audio-only edition of Shape Your Future where high school students interview Australia's top scientists, Year 11 students Crystal and Lexy Shears interview Australia’s former Chief Scientist, Dr Cathy Foley, in celebration of International Women’s Day.

From growing up in Sydney to leading science at the CSIRO and serving as Australia’s ninth Chief Scientist (2021–2024), Dr Foley shares how curiosity, resilience and the right mentors shaped her career in physics.

She explains her groundbreaking work in superconductors and quantum magnetic sensors - technology that has helped discover billions of dollars’ worth of mineral deposits - and reflects on leading science through COVID-19, the future of STEM careers, and why perseverance matters more than brilliance.

Now President of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, Dr Foley outlines her vision for Australia’s scientific future: evidence-based policy, stronger STEM pathways, and turning world-class research into national prosperity.

Key Themes

• Women in STEM
• Superconductors & quantum sensing
• Science leadership during COVID
• Resilience in research
• The future of Australian innovation

“I would love to say I’m a mega brain. I’m not. I’m just regular - but I love science” - Dr Cathy Foley

🎧 Tune in to hear how science truly helps shape our future.

Useful Links

• Cathy Foley: President, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering - https://atse.org.au/about-us/governance/council/president/
• STELR (Science and Technology Education Leveraging Relevance) - https://stelr.org.au
• Nobel Prize in Physics 2014 - Blue LEDs & Nitride Semiconductors - https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/2014/summary/
• Nobel Prize in Physics 2025 – Quantum tunnelling, featuring Cathy’s friends John Clarke and John Martinis - https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/2025/summary/
• Quantum Technologies & Sensing (CSIRO overview) - https://www.csiro.au/en/research/technology-space/quantum-technology

In this episode of the Shape Your Future education series from ATSE, our panel of experts and emerging leaders in STEM celebrate International Women's Day by discussing the importance of "balancing the scales." The panel shares personal stories of navigating non-linear career paths, the importance of supportive organizational cultures, and how a diversity of voices is essential for solving the world's most complex challenges—from radio astronomy to property management in mining.

Host: Professor Kylie Walker AM (CEO of ATSE)

Moderator: Dr Sarah Pearce FTSE (Director of the SKA Low Telescope) [05:40]

Guests:

• Maria Reyes - Property Lead at Orica and Civil Engineer [16:30]
• Cynthia Feng - PhD Candidate at the University of Sydney researching "brain rot" and social media [26:55]

1. Non-linear career paths

• Dr Sarah Pearce [09:40]: Despite a PhD in astronomy, Sarah's path included working as a science advisor in the UK Parliament and a project manager in particle physics at CERN before leading Australia's largest science project.
• Maria Reyes [22:30]: Shifted from road infrastructure and residential development in Colombia to managing a massive property portfolio for a global mining company in Australia.
• Cynthia Feng [28:05]: Originally focused on the humanities (Latin, History, Legal Studies), Cynthia transitioned into psychology and data analytics, proving that STEM skills can be mastered later in life.

2. Overcoming Challenges & Breaking Myths

• Maths as a Tool, Not a Barrier [29:50]: Cynthia discusses overcoming her fear of mathematics by treating it as a language for problem-solving rather than a natural-born talent.
• The Power of Asking for Help [45:41]: Both Maria and Cynthia emphasize that no one works in a vacuum; success comes from collaborating with teams and having the courage to ask questions.
• Authenticity in Research [43:36]: Cynthia reflects on her experience as a queer researcher and the importance of being authentic to oneself while navigating structured academic expectations.

3. Workplace Support & Diversity

• Supportive Environments [15:57]: Sarah highlights how working remotely and part-time while her children were young allowed her to sustain a high-level career.
• Safety and Regulations [41:44]: Maria shares how Australia’s regulated mining industry provides a safe environment for her as both an immigrant and an expectant mother.

• "Without women asking the questions and coming up with the answers, we can't hope to address all the difficult issues we need to be looking at." - Dr Sarah Pearce [08:19]
• "You don't know what you like until you try... it is okay to discover what you are really interested in on the way." - Maria Reyes [22:31]
• "I see STEM as a framework or a way of thinking about the world and getting answers... a set of skills and tools that anyone can learn." - Cynthia Feng [33:24]

• STELR Program: ATSE’s national STEM education initiative – www.stelr.org.au
• SKA Telescope: Learn more about the world's largest low-frequency radio telescope – www.skao.int
• ATSE (Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering): www.atse.org.au

Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jfi9qY5GKYM

From revolutionising the mining industry with gold-detecting X-rays to the production of life-saving nuclear medicines, this panel of experts breaks down the stereotypes of nuclear science, shares their unusual career journeys, and discusses how nuclear physics is a powerful tool for global health, security and industrial innovation.

Host: Elvira Copur (Membership Manager at ATSE)

Moderator: Dr James Tickner FTSE (Co-founder and CTO of Chrysos Corporation)

Guest:

• Meg Hennessy - Licensing Officer at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Nuclear Medicine

1. Careers in nuclear physics

• Just as electricity has multiple uses, nuclear science has two main branches [05:24].
• It’s not just theoretical "atom smashing" at CERN and DESY, there’s applied science that solves real-world problems [09:12].
• Understanding the intersection of engineering and medicine as a career passion [15:25].

2. Innovation in industry & medicine

• Toxic chemical processes in mining being replaced with high-energy X-rays [03:26] - https://chrysoscorp.com/photonassay/.
• Nuclear isotopes are used to diagnose and treat serious illnesses [20:28].
• The reality of working at Australia's only nuclear reactor [26:11] - ANSTO - OPAL Multipurpose Reactor.

3. Global impact & success

• STEM is a global passport that will take you to many countries for work [11:11].
• Challenges of convincing an entire industry to move toward clean, modern technology [37:11].

4. Advice for students & early career researchers [25:01]

• The importance of resilience and opportunities to find dream career pathways later in life.
• Scientists need to be good writers and speakers to persuade others and lead teams.
• Following curiosity is the most important trait for a budding scientist
• It’s important to build networks to succeed as a young professional - https://www.ausygn.org

"Physics is for everyone... find the way your brain works - whether you love living things, the chemical world, or thinking visually—and let that shape your career." - Dr James Tickner

"In science, if you're not winning, you're learning. Every wrong avenue teaches you something new." - Meg Hennessy

• IAEA Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship: Global program for women in nuclear science – iaea.org
• STELR Program (www.stelr.org.au): ATSE’s national STEM education initiative for schools
• Elevate Scholarship (atse.org.au/elevate): A leadership scholarship supporting women in STEM, which Vanessa currently holds.
• IMNIS Program (www.imnis.org.au): An industry mentoring network for PhD students.

Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNXyH31dnpw

The panel of experts explores the rapidly evolving fields of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. The discussion highlights how these technologies are transforming industries—from life-saving beach safety apps to precision agriculture and disaster management—and emphasises that a career in AI is accessible to anyone with curiosity, regardless of their starting point.

Host: Laura Navarro (STEM Careers Strategy Manager at ATSE)

Moderator: Professor Toby Walsh FTSE (Chief Scientist, UNSW AI Institute)

Guests:

• Dr Vivian (Viv) Roland - Research Scientist at CSIRO and ATSE ICM Agri-Food Award winner
• Sara Mills - Firefighter with Fire and Rescue NSW, PhD Candidate, and Elevate Scholar

1. Non-linear career paths

• Toby [06:09]
• Viv [14:42]
• Sara [25:44]

2. AI for social good: real-world applications

• AI apps developed with Surf Life Saving Australia to identify dangerous rips in real-time [11:37] - UNSW RipEye Project
• Using AI to interpret complex imagery for precision agriculture [16:42] - https://www.csiro.au/en/news/All/Articles/2022/January/hairnet-cotton-breeding.
• AI can be used not just for immediate response, but to help communities recover their mental health and infrastructure faster after bushfires [35:17].

3. Debunking STEM myths

• You don't need to be a professional coder to work in AI [40:34].
• Maths can be a language for problem-solving rather than an enemy [27:21].
• Being the top of the class isn't a prerequisite for success in AI [39:51].

4. Advice for Students & Early Career Researchers [36:54]

• Network and connect with people whose work ignites your spark.
• The importance of asking "why" and backing yourself when unconventional opportunities arise.

"AI and robotics are changing how we live, work, and solve complex challenges everywhere from healthcare to agriculture." - Professor Toby Walsh

"Find your spark, nurture your spark, because that's where the magic happens." - Dr Viv Roland

"Practice makes progress, not perfection. Curiosity should guide you to do hard things because that’s where you find out what you’re made of." - Sara Mills

• STELR Program: ATSE’s national STEM education initiative for schools – www.stelr.org.au
• Elevate Scholarship (atse.org.au/elevate): A leadership scholarship supporting women in STEM, which Vanessa currently holds.
• IMNIS Program (www.imnis.org.au): An industry mentoring network for PhD students.

Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaWGcpaixq0

The panel of experts discusses Australia's transition to clean, secure, and reliable energy systems. The guests share their diverse career journeys—from chemical and mechanical engineering to offshore wind development—highlighting the critical role of STEM in solving global sustainability challenges and the importance of lifelong learning.

Host: Sarah Gavel (Partnerships and Development Manager at ATSE)

Moderator: Rachelle Doyle FTSE (Energy Advocate & Strategy Leader)

Guests:

• Colin Sheldon - Consulting Manager at Aurecon
• Linden Blair - Head of Power Development (West Coast and Offshore) at Alinta Energy

1. Career paths

• Rachelle [06:40]
• Colin [11:51]
• Linden [20:15]

2. Innovation & technology in the energy transition

• Standards Australia creating safety guidelines for hydrogen strategies [04:27] – https://www.standards.org.au/engagement-events/strategic-initiatives/energy-transition.
• The complex control systems used in sub-sea gas extraction and how those skills apply to offshore wind [26:15].
• Long-term energy storage like pumped hydro is the "next big thing" [41:07] – https://www.snowyhydro.com.au/generation/the-snowy-scheme/.

3. Sustainability & professional development

• The Carbon Literacy Project as a tool for individuals to understand climate impacts [18:33] – carbonliteracy.com
• Volunteer opportunities through “Beyond Zero Emissions” to conduct clean-tech research [18:06] – bze.org.au atse.org.au/imnis

4. Advice for students & early careers [31:38]

• Look at alternative study pathways before jumping to university degrees
• Engage with the professional peak bodies to build networks and stay current – engineersaustralia.org.au.
• Engage in challenges to explore your passions for renewable tech – https://www.solarchallenge.net.au.

"The future will hold jobs that don't even exist today, and STEM is a fantastic career pathway that sets you on that journey." - Rachelle Doyle

"The engineers who've really thrived are those that are actually really creative and can apply creative solutions." - Colin Sheldon

"Through the renewable energy transition, we have a real opportunity to do things differently... and really uplift First Nations people around the country." - Linden Blair

• STELR Program (www.stelr.org.au): ATSE’s national STEM education initiative for schools
• Elevate Scholarship (atse.org.au/elevate): A leadership scholarship supporting women in STEM, which Vanessa currently holds.
• IMNIS Program (www.imnis.org.au): An industry mentoring network for PhD students.

Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Me91ZM0r2L0

In celebration of NAIDOC Week, the panel explores the powerful intersection between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ Traditional Knowledge and STEM knowledge. They discuss how Indigenous ways of knowing—as the world's oldest surviving scientists and technologists—can solve complex global challenges in health, education and digital technology.

More information about NAIDOC Week, including resources and history for the annual celebration, can be found at naidoc.org.au.

Host: Dr Emma Wensing (Diversity & Inclusion Manager at ATSE)

Moderator: Professor Alex Brown FTSE (Director of the National Centre for Indigenous Genomics)

Guests:

• Dr Rhett Loban - Director of Indigenous Education, University of Technology Sydney
• Nicole Boyd - PhD Candidate & Elevate Scholar

1. Career paths

• Alex [08:02]
• Rhett [13:01]
• Nicole [19:26]

2. Indigenous Knowledge in digital tech & games

• Developing immersive VR to teach Island custom and history through digital storytelling [14:52] – Torres Strait Virtual Reality Project.
• Embedding Traditional Knowledge into the IT curriculum [11:15].

3. "Both ways" of learning in the classroom

• The Goompi pedagogical model to teach maths through indigenous cultural expression [25:42] – https://atsima.com/resources/.
• Using a creative "Pet Dragon" model to teach Mendelian inheritance to remote students, bridging the gap between art and science [23:51] – https://scienceinschool.org/article/2011/dragons/
• How students can learn proportional reasoning and volume by collecting bush medicine [28:11].

4. Philosophy of "listening to Country"

• The Yolngu concept of Ganma, the meeting of salt water and fresh water, as a space where new, intercultural ideas emerge [38:52].
• Scientists need to be respectful of deeply rooted Indigenous Knowledge systems [09:25].

"We have at our fingertips the most deeply rooted knowledge systems... if we are only respectful and quiet enough to listen, we will be gifted the most amazing understanding of the world." - Professor Alex Brown

"Software development is iterative... it aligns really well with Indigenous protocols of community co-design and iterative conversations." - Dr Rhett Loban

"Maths is everywhere. It’s not just a whiteboard; it’s the women sitting in a circle—that is what pedagogy looks like." - Nicole Boyd

• STELR Program (www.stelr.org.au): ATSE’s national STEM education initiative for schools
• Elevate Scholarship (atse.org.au/elevate): A leadership scholarship supporting women in STEM, which Vanessa currently holds.
• IMNIS Program (www.imnis.org.au): An industry mentoring network for PhD students.
• Discover ATSE’s Traditional Knowledge Innovation Award: https://atse.org.au/what-we-do/atse-awards/traditional-knowledge-innovation-award/winners-of-the-traditional-knowledge-innovation-award/

Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fvPukpXNvk

The panel of marine experts explores the diverse and creative world of ocean science. Doing things in ocean science you wouldn’t have previously considered, they have tracked the provenance of seafood using geochemistry, and 3D-printed artificial coral reefs. They share how curiosity and a "STEAM" (STEM + Art) approach are essential for protecting our oceans and building a sustainable future.

More information about World Ocean Day can be found at worldoceanday.org.

Host: Tamara McGregor (IMNIS Coordinator at ATSE)

Moderator: Dr Alistair Hobday FTSE (CSIRO Senior Principal Research Scientist)

Guests:

• Dr Zoe Doubleday - ARC Future Fellow, University of South Australia
• Beth O’Sullivan - PhD Candidate in Marine Restoration & Elevate Scholar

1. Non-linear & creative career paths

• Alistair [05:19]
• Zoe [10:35
• Beth [17:19]

2. Innovation in marine technology and research

• Australian marine research with the CSIRO RV Investigator [03:43] – www.csiro.au/en/about/facilities-collections/vessels/investigator
• Using the chemical composition of bones and shells to combat illegal fishing [13:10].
• 3D printing calcium carbonate reefs as a sustainable, low-carbon for artificial habitats [21:55].

3. Central science of the sea

• Time-lapse photography and 3D printing to observe how algae and organisms interact with man-made structures [24:13].
• Analysing critical data through citizen-science projects that can be done from anywhere [43:27] – http://www.csiro.au/en/work-with-us/citizen-science/projects.

4. Advice for Students & Educators [41:11]

• The power of reaching out to researchers whose work you admire to find volunteer opportunities.
• Focusing on broad STEM subjects in high school is better than over-specialising too early.
• Teacher opportunities through the CSIRO "Educator on Board" program to join research voyages – https://research.csiro.au/educator-on-board/

"It is a myth that the work we do is not creative... I actually do research in science communication and how we can tell our stories better." - Dr Zoe Doubleday

"Follow your curiosity and your interests... now more than ever, we need creative people in STEM." - Beth O’Sullivan

"The question I've pursued my whole career is: why do animals live where they do, and how do they cope with human pressures?" - Dr Alistair Hobday

• PADI Scuba certification: Mentioned by Beth as a pivotal tool for her underwater research - padi.com
• STELR Program (www.stelr.org.au): ATSE’s national STEM education initiative for schools
• Elevate Scholarship (atse.org.au/elevate): A leadership scholarship supporting women in STEM, which Vanessa currently holds.
• IMNIS Program (www.imnis.org.au): An industry mentoring network for PhD students.

Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hs9YqJdBQrs

The panel explores how the fundamental science of chemistry serves as a bridge between microscopic molecules and complex industrial machinery. They discuss diverse career trajectories, from designing life-saving medical diagnostics tools to optimising global mining operations, and how chemistry underpins sustainability and innovation across the globe.

Host: Dr. Alejandra Fernandez (Science & Technology Policy Analyst at ATSE)

Moderator: Professor Michael Breadmore FTSE (Professor at University of Tasmania)

Guests:

• Dr Armineh Hassanvand - Senior Research Engineer at Orica
• Vanessa Yolanda - Minesite Projects Coordinator & Elevate Scholar

Key Discussion Points

1. Non-linear career paths

• Michael [10:30]
• Armineh [12:33]
• Vanessa [28:20]

2. Scaling STEM from the lab to global industry

• The fascinating technical link between the chemistry of chocolate emulsions and explosives used in mining [16:38].
• The thrill of "discovery" - creating something never reported in literature [10:13].
• The critical role of chemistry in exploring in-ground valuable minerals from the air [25:41].

3. The future of resource recovery

• In-place recovery (www.orica.com/Products-Services/mining-services/in-place-recovery) [18:27].
• Extractive metallurgy [21:50].

4. Advice for students & early Careers

• The "no dumb questions" rule and emphasising curiosity [04:45].
• Importance of soft skills that can transfer between careers [19:48].
• Location is not a barrier with digital connectivity [39:19].

Notable Quotes

"Chemistry is the foundation of energy, manufacturing, and health. It’s the science that will interface humans with artificial intelligence and molecular machines in the very near future." - Professor Michael Breadmore

"Your career is never a straight ladder; it’s more like a hiking trail. Sometimes you feel lost and need a GPS, but other times you reach moments that are just truly scenic." - Dr Armineh Hassanvand

Useful links

• STELR Program (www.stelr.org.au): Hands-on curriculum resources for teachers and students.
• Elevate Scholarship (atse.org.au/elevate): A leadership scholarship supporting women in STEM, which Vanessa currently holds.
• IMNIS Program (www.imnis.org.au): An industry mentoring network for PhD students.

Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOpfn2l_z84