On 11 December 2018 the 2019/2020 Superstars of STEM were announced by Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, the Hon Karen Andrews, and Science & Technology Australia.

Superstars of STEM aims to smash society’s gender assumptions about scientists and increase the public visibility of women in STEM.  STA created Superstars of STEM to create a critical mass of celebrity Australian female scientists and technologists - role models for young women and girls – and to work towards equal representation in the media of women and men working in all fields in STEM.

SSA is thrilled to announce that SSA member Dr Susanna Cramb was elected as one of Science and Technology of Australia’s Superstars of STEM. Susanna has been a very engaged member of the SSA for many years.  She is always one of the first – if not the first – to put her hand up when help is needed. She chaired the Young Statisticians Conference Committee in 2013, is active on SSA’s CPD Committee and was recently appointed Vice President Membership – a role which involves finding ways to make your membership even better.

Susanna’s research focus is to quantify and understand differences in cancer outcomes based on where people live, with a particular interest in survival disparities. Her work has directly informed government policy aimed at reducing cancer inequalities based on residential location.

Susanna loves her work and is passionate about encouraging others to consider a career in statistics. She is now a Spatial Modeller at Cancer Council Queensland, a Visiting Fellow at Queensland University of Technology, and an Honorary Fellow at Menzies School of Health Research.

Professor Emma Johnston AO, President of Science & Technology Australia, said the women would no longer be hiding their scientific superpowers, and would share them with as many Australians as possible following the launch.

“When we launched the program last year, I said that the stereotypical scientist was an old man in a white coat,” Professor Johnston said.

“Thanks to the first 30 Superstars this is starting to change, and with 60 more announced today, we will be well on our way to permanently smashing the stereotype.”

“Each Superstar will connect with hundreds of school children; feature in local, national and international media; and serve as a representative for their work, their discipline and their sector,” Professor Johnston said.

“We are extremely proud to have seen hundreds of capable, skilled, confident women apply for the program, and really look forward to sharing the stories of these impressive 60 Superstars with the world.”

Over five years we will have equipped 150 female scientists and technologists with advanced communication skills and provided them with genuine opportunities to use these skills – in the media, on the stage and in speaking with decision makers.

Marie-Louise Rankin