Successful female visionaries from the University of Newcastle (UON) will come together to share their experience navigating a career in innovation.
The Women in Innovation event next week forms part of the Hunter Innovation Festival running from 16th May - 26th May.
An expert panel will feature Dr Yolanda Surjan, Senior Lecturer in the School of Health Sciences and CSIRO's Breakout Female Scientist. The event is set to prompt conversation around 'The Sponsorship Effect' and whether women need sponsorship rather than mentoring.
Whilst mentors may be able to act as a role model and provide personal and professional support, they may not have the ability to push those further in their career.
Other panel members include UON Pro-Vice Chancellor Dr Sarah Pearson, RDA Hunter CEO Susan Wilson and AusIndustry Entrepreneurship Facilitator Cheryl Royle. The panel will also focus on gender equality and promotion of equity in the workplace.
Statistics have revealed whilst women are more likely to receive mentoring than men, the effort is not converting to equal career opportunities.
Dr Yolanda Surjan, Senior Lecturer in the School of Health Sciences said sponsorship can be a vital turning point for establishing key connections needed to boost careers. Someone who is sponsoring is likely to already be in a successful position and has the ability to provide extra opportunities
"A sponsor provides opportunities, they look down, find the people that have the skill set and abilities and give them a boost upwards."
Dr Yolanda Surjan added the festival will provide the opportunity for Newcastle to showcase its assets.
The festival is hoped to inspire Hunter businesses, industry and community to take advantage of advanced technology and thinking.
Women in Innovation - The Sponsorship Effect is a free event at The Crowne Plaza on Monday 22 May at 5pm. More information on the festival and its events can be found here.
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| Source: http://hunterinnovationfestival.org/ |
