Paddl, Western and InnovationAus Partner for Diversity in STEM
From May 10 to 14, Paddl, Western Sydney University and InnovationAus are partnering on a week-long program focused on an important national conversation - achieving diversity in STEM with Paddl's first ever Impact Accelerator. This initiative responds to growing research showing that under-represented groups are participating in STEM education at significantly lower rates, and that women in particular are poorly represented and supported in the STEM workforce.

This program is designed to remove barriers and drive more diverse participation in STEM-related opportunities. The week will kick-off with a roundtable hosted by Chief Scientist of Australia Dr. Cathy Foley AO.
📅 Details
- What: Paddl Impact Accelerator - Achieving Diversity in STEM
- Dates: 10th May - 14th May 2021
- Location: Virtual (using online tools)
👇 Register now 👇

❓What's involved
1️⃣ Monday: A Day of Inspiration
- Date and Location: Monday 10th May, Virtual
📅 Monday's Program
👉 Stream 1
- STEM Team Discovery Session, Surfacing Issues & Opportunities
- Time: 9.30 - 10.15am AEST
- Teams: 1 - 5
Sponsored sessions delivered virtually and open to the public for free; given by organisations that are part of the industry sectors. Each session to be hosted by an industry sponsor bringing their knowledge to the discussion, joined by a team facilitator.
👉 Keynote & Panel Discussion
- Dr Cathy Foley, Chief Scientist of Australia, Office of the Chief Scientist with special guest panel.
- Time: 10.30 - 11.30am AEST
Hosted by Chief Scientist of Australia Dr. Cathy Foley AO thought leaders from a diverse range of companies will kickstart the discussion, leading students and industry in a series of sessions to create change.
What role can employers play to champion achieving diversity in STEM?
- Prof Kate Stephens, Director of The MARCS, Institute for Brain, Behaviour, and Development, Western Sydney University
- Sean Pereira, Senior Director, Head of Analytics Advisory, JLL
- Elizabeth Skirving, Deputy Chair, Council of Small Businesses of Australia
- Diana Ryall AM MAICD, Founder Xplore for Success
- Henry Okraglik, Global Director Digital & Rachael Stewart, Business Engagement, WSP Digital
- Kimberly (Chang) Fisher, Partner & Board Member, Deloitte
- Ashiq Rahman, CEO, WebAlive
- Dr Emma Burrows, Founding Member of WiSPP, Board of Women in STEMM Australia
- James Riley, Editorial Director, InnovationAus
- Kate Roffey President Melbourne Football Club, Director - Deals, Investment & Major Projects Wyndham City, Chair Metro Trains
- Associate Professor Lian Loke, Head of Design, University of Sydney
- Sarah Liu, CEO, The Dream Collective
- Bronwyn LeGrice, Founder & CEO ANDHealth, NED Lumos Diagnostics
- Sandy Chong, CEO, Australian Hairdressing Council, Board Member, COSBOA
- Sue Dafnias, General Manager, Commercial, Planet Innovation
👉 Stream 2
- STEM Team Discovery Session, Surfacing Issues & Opportunities.
- Time: 11.30 - 12.15pm AEST
- Teams: 6 - 10
👉 Stream 3
- STEM Team Discovery Session, Surfacing Issues & Opportunities.
- Time: 1.30 - 2.15pm AEST
- Teams: 11 - 15
👉 Stream 4
- STEM Team Discovery Session, Surfacing Issues & Opportunities.
- Time: 3.30 - 4.15pm AEST
- Teams: 16 - 20
👉 ‘See What She Can Be’ Session
- Fireside Chat: Rediscovering our Curiosity & Courage with Peita Diamantidis, Host of In Search of Adventure Show & Co-Founder of Caboodle Financial Services.
- Time: 4.30 - 5.30pm
Panel: What were the enablers that motivated you to achieve greatness in STEM? Hosted by InnovationAus.
- MC: Corrie McLeod, InnovationAus Publisher
- Panelist: Dr Elaine Stead, Venture capitalist, MD of Human VC
- Panelist: Sarah Curtis-Fawley, Growth Expert at the Australian Centre for Business Growth.
2️⃣ Tuesday Micro-Hack: A Day of Education and Training
- Date and Location: Tuesday 11th May, Western Sydney University + Virtual
- What: An interactive day for students, educators, academics and policymakers to share the barriers and enablers to participation of girls and women in STEM. Includes inspirational keynote, panel discussion and storytelling 101 micro-hack.
3️⃣ Wednesday: Western National Innovation Games - Day 1
- Date and Location: Wednesday 12th May, Virtual
- Topic: Overcoming the Barriers for Women in STEM
- What: Tertiary students, graduates, PhDs, small to medium businesses and industry experts will come together in a facilitated Innovation Games to identify practical solutions to remove the barriers for women in STEM.
👇 Student Registrations for the National Innovation Games👇
4️⃣ Thursday: Western National Innovation Games - Day 2
- Date and Location: Thursday 13 May, Virtual
- Topic: Overcoming the Barriers for Women in STEM
- What: Teams will pitch their barrier-breaking ideas to the Judging Panel for prizes.
5️⃣ Friday: Getting Down to Business
- Date and Location: Friday 14 May, Virtual
- What: Join us for an afternoon of courageous conversations and networking to ignite change and create pathways for greater impact. Employment offers, mentoring and networking opportunities via Paddl Virtual Booths. Allows grad and post-grad students to better understand STEM employment opportunities, career progression, broaden their perspective and future possibilities engaging the future of STEM.
📅 Friday's Program
👉 Give a Grad a Go Employment Virtual Booth
- 15 mins bookings with Camilla Clarke, Country Manager Australia
Successful shortlisted applicants for a range of STEM jobs posted on paddl.com will be scheduled for first-round interviews. Review jobs on offer via paddl.com - if you don’t have one set one up, register today!! Contact francoise@paddl.co for more information.
👉 Western Sydney University Virtual Booth
- Time: 1.00 - 3.00pm AEST
Thinking of going to uni? Changing your subjects? Unsure of your future career path? Book a 15 mins mentoring session. Book a 15 mins session with Western Sydney University Careers team. Contact francoise@paddl.co for more information.
👉 Paddl Mentor Virtual Booth
- Time: 3.00 - 4.00pm AEST
15 mins bookings with Paddl Mentors, available to any participant in the Western National Innovation Games.
Contact francoise@paddl.co for more information or register today to attend the Games via paddl.com.
👉 Networking & Make a Pledge
- Time: 4.00 - 5.00pm AEST
Join us for networking to ignite change and create pathways for greater impact. Make a pledge via our Ignite Change Paddl Pledge Miro board.
✋ How to Participate
✍️ Impact Accelerator - Guest Registration
👇 To register for any session in the Impact Accelerator Program👇
✍️ National Innovation Games - Student Participant Registration
Students, graduates, trainees and PhDs from all backgrounds, skillsets and types of lived experience are encouraged to create a Paddl Experience Profile on paddl.com and register now.
👇 Student Registrations for the National Innovation Games👇
Paddl.com is your place to track, capture and discover different experiences. The Paddl Experience Profile is designed to showcase your unique range of lifelong learning activities, providing deeper understanding of your skills and capabilities.
✍️ National Innovation Games - Business Registration
If you represent an organisation interested in joining or sponsoring one of the Diversity in STEM Week activities, please contact us at the below details or complete the below registration:
partnerships@paddl.co
+61 3 9514 3000
👇 Business Registrations for the National Innovation Games👇