Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Exciton Science was among the sponsors for a workshop that aimed to provide an opportunity for ECRs to build on their scientific writing skills and gain inspiration from mentors and like-minded researchers, forming a valuable component of their academic career development.

The early career researcher (ECR) grant & paper writing workshop, designed for women in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM), is aimed at strengthening the scientific writing, critical thinking and communication skills of Australia's next generation of scientists and academics.

Designed to help increase the number of female academics in STEMM-related departments, it provides mentoring, transparent peer review and centralised writing training opportunities that young women in STEMM may not have at their home institutions.

The most recent edition of the workshop was held at the University of Sydney in September 2022. Exciton Science Research Fellow Dr Pria Ramkissoon was among the attendees.

"During the workshop, senior academic mentors provided advice and guidance on strengthening writing skills for grants and scientific communications,” Pria said.

“The mentors shared their own personal stories on how they reached their current position in academia and what challenges they faced along the way, especially those specific to women. Participants were also able to work on their own writing with one-on-one support from the mentors.”