Women in STEM take the fast lane
Monash University helped shine a spotlight on gender equity in motorsport and STEM at In Her Corner, an event presented in partnership with the Australian Grand Prix Corporation and Engineers Australia.
Designed to break down barriers and promote inclusivity, the event brought together global motorsport leaders, engineers and emerging talent while celebrating the achievements of women shaping the future of STEM.
Speaking at the event, Monash University Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Sharon Pickering, joined senior leaders and industry figures to reinforce the importance of leadership, visibility and long-term cultural change.
Professor Pickering said events like In Her Corner played a critical role in building confidence, resilience and opportunity for women and girls entering traditionally male-dominated fields.
“When women see themselves reflected in leadership and innovation, it shows them what is possible and who belongs,” Professor Pickering said. “But gender equity in STEM and motorsport is not just about representation, it’s about changing systems so talent can thrive.”
“A diversity of voices, skills and experiences is essential to solving complex challenges. We must ensure girls and women know they have a place at the table and are encouraged to step forward.”
Professor Pickering said partnerships between universities, industry and major sporting organisations were essential to accelerating progress.
“The FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2026 gives us a global platform to have these conversations,” Professor Pickering said.
“By working together with industry and professional bodies, we can build an ecosystem of support that extends well beyond a single event. Most of all I want all young women in engineering and STEM to know Monash is in their corner.”
The program featured a series of panel discussions and spotlight sessions led by prominent figures from Formula 1® and engineering, including F1® Media Presenter and former Head of Race Strategy for Sauber, Ruth Buscombe, Chief Executive Officer of Formula 1®, Stefano Domenicali, and Chief Engineer at Engineers Australia, Katherine Richards.
Panels explored innovation, leadership and lived experience in motorsport and STEM, offering attendees insight into the challenges women continue to face, alongside the opportunities emerging through advocacy, mentorship and institutional change.
In Her Corner concluded with a strong call to action for sustained collaboration across education, industry and sport to ensure the next generation of women in STEM are supported, visible and empowered.
Monash official Event Supporter
As an official Event Supporter of the FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2026, Monash University will activate a 20-metre interactive marquee at the Innovation Hub , presented by Engineers Australia, from Thursday 5 to Sunday 8 March – showcasing world-leading student innovation at the track and giving thousands of visitors the opportunity to experience engineering and technology in action. Monash Robogals will also be present, inspiring the next generation of innovators and highlighting opportunities for women and girls in STEM.
How Monash is driving gender equity through institutional action
Monash has a sustained commitment to advancing gender equity and supporting women in STEM. The University is a champion of theWomen in STEM Decadal Planand participates actively in the SAGE Athena Swan gender equity framework, and in 2025, became the first Group of Eight (Go8) university to earn the Athena Swan Silver accreditation.
Since 2018, Monash has more than doubled the number of women Professors in STEM disciplines, and significantly increased the number of women Associate Professors, reflecting structural change in academic leadership. Monash also supports women at all career stages through initiatives such as the STEMM Women Academic Network, which runs mentoring, promotion workshops and networking events at scale, and faculty-level mentoring programs like Women in Engineering mentoring that connect students with alumni and industry professionals.
At the student level, programs such as Women in Engineering at Monash (WEM) build peer networks, leadership skills and early engagement in engineering. Monash also offers targeted support such as the Women in Engineering Scholarship to attract and retain high-achieving women in technical fields.
This press release has also been published on VRITIMES
