In celebration of NAIDOC week, UNSW Science is hosting a student panel featuring current and former UNSW female Indigenous science students. In the spirit of this year’s NAIDOC theme, Because of Her, We Can!, this event will focus on learning from their stories.

Come along to hear about these women’s journeys, the challenges they’ve faced and the opportunities they have created. This is a chance to examine how those of us who work in higher education can ensure more equitable and inclusive access and support for Indigenous students. With a critical reflection on the relationship between institutes of higher education and Indigenous students, this event promises to be enlightening, instructive and inspiring.

Location: Boral Lecture Theatre, AGSM Building
RSVP: science.edi@unsw.edu.au by 5 July
Light lunch provided

Our panel includes:

Kataya Barrett is a Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung woman from the North Coast of NSW. With saltwater in her veins and a burning curiosity, she is on a journey to help care for and save our underwater world. She is a marine conservation advocate and scientist that focuses on ways to increase Indigenous youth participation in marine science and conservation.

She holds a Bachelor of Science (Marine Science and Ecology) from UNSW and a Bachelor of Philosophy in Science and Engineering from Macquarie University. She was the first Indigenous cadet to participate in the Taronga Zoo Cadetship program. During the cadetship she worked extensively with Indigenous youth from state care through the Burbangana Program. In 2016, she was chosen as the Australian Delegate to participate in the International Fund for Animal Welfare Youth Forum for People and Wildlife in South Africa. Following the youth forum, she was a founding member and helped establish the global network that is Youth for Wildlife Conservation (Y4WC). Currently, she is studying a Master of Marine Science and Management at Macquarie University. She hopes in the future to increase Indigenous voices in the marine science and conservation space.

Maddy Wright is currently in her final year of a Bachelor of Aviation Management at UNSW which aligns with her dual interest in the tourism and aviation industries. Always curious, Maddy seeks out opportunities to expand her knowledge and experience within the industries as evidenced by her volunteering work, internship at the Regional Aviation Association of Australia and current cadetship at Tourism Australia.

Maddy loves that UNSW’s Aviation program has enabled her to integrate her passion for science, business and tourism. She is a strong advocate for both Science and Indigenous students in higher education as evidenced by her roles as a UNSW Science Student Ambassador and a Nura Gili Student Ambassador.

The panel will be chaired by Dr Lisa Williams, Chair of the Science Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Working Group and Senior Lecturer in the School of Psychology.  

Dr. Williams is a social psychologist whose research explores how emotions shape and are shaped by social processes. Specifically, her research focuses on the adaptive functions of positive social emotions such as pride and gratitude.