International Women’s Day: Insights from four women in STEM

Across Australia, women are delivering ground-breaking research and innovation within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). In celebration of International Women’s Day, the Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (IMCRC) spoke to four women involved in IMCRC’s manufacturing research projects about their careers, why gender equality matters and what we can do to inspire more girls…

Women leaders in composites – Lynley Papineau of Aquatic Leisure Technologies

Today our special editorial series celebrating International Women’s Week profiling women leaders in composites, turns to Aquatic Leisure Technologies (ALT), Australia’s largest swimming pool manufacturer. At the helm of this extraordinary company is Lynley Papineau. By Kerryn Caulfield. The backyard pool is the ultimate Aussie playground – a private oasis for fitness and relaxation, and…

Women leaders in composites – Leona Reif FDP Composites

Introducing our special editorial series to celebrate International Women’s Week profiling women leaders in composites, today we talk to Leona Reif, Director of FDP Composites and president, Composites Australia. Here’s how Leona took over and drove forward her father’s business, by Kerryn Caulfield. For many, a dramatic career change from public to private sector would…

Thales trials sovereign minesweeping capability

Defence contractor Thales Australia has successfully trialled a sovereign enhanced, designed, developed and manufactured minesweeping capability. The French-owned company trialled modifications to its Combined Influence Sweep (CIS) minesweeping system (main picture, and below) which was designed and manufactured in conjunction with Australia’s Defence Science and Technology Group. The CIS, successfully in operation for over 20…

Promised more industry focused PhDs, but the reality is different – by Dr John Howard

Australia was promised a new research focus for PhDs on the needs of industry. Here Dr John Howard forensically examines the national innovation and research system and asks whether, when the money runs out, will we have a more robust research infrastructure and research workforce? On 31 January 2022, the Prime Minister announced that the…