Lumen Spring 2021 - Flipbook - Page 33
Lisa was recognised for her fundamental
contributions to the understanding of galaxy
collisions, cosmic chemical abundances, galactic
energetics, and the star-formation history
of galaxies.
In addition to being honoured by the Academy of
Sciences, Lisa’s other career highlights have been
participating in education outreach projects and
being involved in research using the Science in
Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) program
data, which seeks to redress gender imbalance in
the scientific community.
“It’s very important for young female researchers
to have female role models and for departments
to have female members.
“I was lucky to have American astrophysicist
Margaret Geller as a mentor.”
Lisa has been using mathematical modelling to
solve the gender gap.
“If departments introduce initiatives based on
fairness in recruitment then the gender gap in
science could be closed in 15 years.
“I will continue work on that so we can achieve
real change in Australia.”
In 2014, Lisa was named as one of The Australian
Financial Review and Westpac’s 100 women of
influence in the field of innovation and in 2019
The Sydney Morning Herald named her as one of
Australia’s women leading the charge in science
and space.
“Senior women in science have a responsibility
to hold doors open for women and help them
move up so as to improve the pipeline. We have
a responsibility to improve chances for the next
generation.”
And the women coming through will be well
placed to be part of the next space race.
“I am very excited about the cube satellite
industry and the extremely innovative ideas that
cube sat technology is developing, and the impact
it will have on both astronomy and remote
sensing, which will in turn have an impact on
investigating climate change.
“Australia is in a great position to make a big
difference in this area in tandem with private sector.
“What kind of instruments will be launched into
space and what they will look at will be
determined by decisions made by the Australian
Space Agency.”
The Australian Space Agency directs the
country’s space efforts from its headquarters at
Lot Fourteen, Adelaide, where the University
already has a presence with the Australian
Institute for Machine Learning. The innovation
ecosystem brings together South Australia’s
leading abilities in space, defence, hi-tech and
entrepreneurship in one place.
“Current science students should consider space
as it’s a broadening, exciting field to be in,”
Lisa said.
And, like Lisa, they could go far. Beyond the glass
ceiling which she and other pioneering women
scientists have already shattered – and perhaps as
far as the origins of the universe.
As part of the SAGE initiative, the University
of Adelaide has been recognised with an
Athena SWAN Institutional Bronze Award,
the highest level available in Australia.
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Professor Lisa Kewley in front of
telescope observatories and domes
at the Mount Stromlo site, Canberra.
ABOVE
Galaxy image. Image credit:
Jeremy Thomas, Unsplash photos.
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