Inspiring Stories

With nearly 20 years of experience as both a professional and academic at the University of Melbourne, Gioconda brought a wealth of knowledge and insight. She earned a PhD in History, with her groundbreaking research exploring the post-war mass migration of a southern Italian community to Australia. As a sessional lecturer and tutor, Gioconda inspired countless students, making significant contrib...

A/Prof Bandler is the principal research fellow for the Leaders in Indigenous Medical Education (LIME) Network.  She has a long history of involvement in medical education.  She is a member of the Macquarie University Humanities and Social Sciences Human Research Ethics Committee.  She provides regular GP services to rural and remote western NSW.  She has been a member of the F...

Professor Nancy Baxter moved to Australia in February 2020 for the next adventure, and COVID did not disappoint! Her public role in the Victorian and Australia-wide responses to the pandemic, including her work with media as a sought-after public health expert has been a highlight of her career. This episode was recorded on 9 November 2021. --- Connect with us on Twitter at @MDHSdiversity or by em...

Professor Jennifer Philip is a palliative care clinician who leads the Palliative Nexus Research Group, partnering with the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, to advance equity, access and quality of care in serious illness. In this episode, Jennifer opens up about the highs and lows of juggling an academic career and family.  This episode was recorded on 5 October 2021. --- Connect with us on...

  Dr Rita Hardiman is a teaching and research academic in the Melbourne Dental School. In 2011, after a return to work from maternity leave, and less than a year post-PhD, Rita was involved in a life-threatening incident: she was run over by a semi-trailer on her way home. This had devastating effects on Rita and her young family, as well as doing significant damage to her emerging career in...

Professor Jane Gunn AO is the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences and a general practitioner with over 25 years of experience. In this episode, Jane and Natalie discuss the hard but important work involved in creating an inclusive workplace that champions all aspects of diversity. This episode was recorded on 10 August 2021. --- Connect with us on Twitter at @MDHSdiversi...

  Julia Page served as CEO of veski from 2004, leading the organization for nearly two decades. She expanded key programs, including the innovation and inspiring women fellowships, and fostered strong ties with the Victorian Government and global science communities. Julia's initiatives included the veski Inspiring Women STEM Side-by-Side Program and various community roles. She has a BSc in Infor...

  Leonie Walsh is a fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences, was Victoria's first Lead Scientist (2013-2016) and inaugural Women in STEMM Ambassador. She also served as the first female president of the Australasian Industrial Research Group. In these roles, she contributed to the Future Industries Ministerial Advisory Council, established the Inspiring Women Fellowship program,...

Professor Sharon Lewin is a leading infectious diseases expert, inaugural director of the Peter Doherty Institute of Infection and Immunity, Professor of Medicine and a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Practitioner Fellow. In this interview, Sharon speaks about the importance of mentors, managing leadership and parenting, and working on a cure for HIV/AIDS. This episode was rec...

Professor Laura Parry has three decades of experience in higher education, as a researcher, research leader and award-winning educator, and is internationally renowned for her expertise and ground-breaking research in reproductive and vascular biology. Furthermore, she is a champion of the greater participation of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). This episode was...

  Til is a Professor of Clinical Psychology and Rehabilitation and Head of The School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences at Kings College, London. Her research has been varied with explorations in cognitive science, developing treatments and evaluations of those treatments - mostly for people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Til is the editor of the Journal of Mental Health, holder...

Dr Marguerite Evans-Galea AM is a scientist, entrepreneur and current Director of Australia’s Cell and Gene Catalyst. She is also the co-founder and CEO of Women in STEMM Australia. In this conversation, Marguerite talks about finding a mentor, knowing your career 'why'; and believing in yourself during uncertain times. This episode was recorded on 15 December 2022. --- Connect with us on Twitter...

Professor Julie Bines is a Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Melbourne and a Paediatric Gastroenterologist and Head of Clinical Nutrition at the Royal Children’s Hospital. She leads the Enteric Disease Group at Murdoch Children’s Research Institute working to develop an affordable novel rotavirus vaccine, RV3-BB vaccine, aimed at preventing rotavirus disease from birth in i...

Dr Ngaree Blow is a Yorta-Yorta, Noonuccal and Goreng-Goreng woman and is the Director of First Nations Health for Medical Education at the University of Melbourne. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she joined the Victorian Department of Health to help respond to outbreaks and advise on vaccine safety. Ngaree speaks about her role working with Aboriginal communities to ensure effective public health m...

Associate Professor Susan Hurley is a writer and medical researcher with expertise in health economics, pharmacoepidemiology and public health policy. She is the author of the novel Eight Lives (Affirm Press, 2019), which has its origins in a catastrophic first-in-human trial of a monoclonal antibody. This episode was recorded on 22 September 2020 --- Connect with us on Twitter at @MDHSdiversity o...

Join us on the Inspiring Stories podcast as we delve into topics such as the visibility of First Nation Women, the importance of mentoring for women academics, gender equality and mental health and more. If you find this podcast valuable, be sure to share it within your networks. Do you know someone whose story needs to be shared on this podcast? We want to hear inspiring stories from those who br...