L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science

Published in the Research School of Physics Event Horizon
Vol48 Issue15 17–21 April 2023

Our For Women in Science Fellows have established themselves as exceptional researchers, communicators, and leaders within their scientific fields. We know how important it is for female role models to inspire and instil confidence into other women, especially in the early stages of their career. We believe by fostering a mentoring scheme where our Fellows can share their knowledge and experience to budding female scientists, we will provide an invaluable opportunity to develop the necessary skills and instil confidence in our future women leaders.

To be eligible as a mentee, applicants must:

• Be currently enrolled as a PhD student (either full-time or part-time) at an Australian or New Zealand university or research institute.
• Have completed at least 1 year of their PhD (or received confirmation of candidature).
• Work within scientific fields including life sciences (including medical sciences), physical sciences, computer science, engineering and mathematics. Psychology, science education and social sciences are not eligible for this mentoring program.

PhD candidates will be selected based on the following key selection criteria: 

• Clearly identified strengths and weaknesses.
• Addressing any relevant ambitions or goals for your future and how a mentor could facilitate your success in achieving these.

Five mentees will be chosen to take part in this mentoring scheme (4 within Australia and 1 in New Zealand). Along with one-on-one mentoring sessions with our current fellows, this scheme will include a number of workshops catered to the mentees’ ambitions, such as:

• success in academia (with past L’Oréal Australia & New Zealand fellows)
• making your research stand out (with current Jury members and past Laureates)
• exploring non-academic roles in science (with scientists working at L’Oréal Australia and New Zealand).