National Science Week highlights STEM’s contribution to innovation and start-ups

National Science Week 2021 this week is aiming to change Australians’ popular perceptions about scientists, and to highlight the contributions they make to the business community, to innovation and to a more sustainable future.

“I am excited to be celebrating National Science Week by sparking meaningful discussion about the future of science in Australia,” Professor Emma Johnston AO, Dean at UNSW Science, said. “Within our society, there is a common stereotype of scientists attributed to white lab coats, mixing liquids in beakers and working in a lab. The problem with stereotypes is that they tend to oversimplify and exclude.

“They reinforce misconceptions and can further alienate underrepresented populations,” Professor Johnston added. “By exploring the misconceptions scientists hear about themselves and the work they do, we are hoping to build awareness – not only that everyone can do science, but that we need people from all walks of life to support a culture of innovation.”

UNSW Science is home to discovery-driven and problem-orientated research. The faculty has curated series of videos – entitled What is a Scientist – in order to video series showcase young Australian scientists. The videos underline the diversity of the projects they’re involved in, and how their expertise extends beyond the lab into practical applications such as biotechnology, data science, analytics, regenerative design and microbiology.

UNSW Alumni Orlando Hayes is a regenerative design advisor at Mott MacDonald and co-founder of ShoutOut Australia who offers regenerative solutions that redefine best practices in sustainability.

“There’s a lot less white lab coats than people think in science. Science can often be seen as hard facts, pure, clear-cut and methodical, but science is always heavily debated, and things change rapidly,” Hayes explained. “It’s a lot more creative than people think.”

According to the Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business STEM jobs are growing almost twice as fast as those in other sectors, and related occupations are expected to provide more new jobs than any other sector for the next five years, with 70 per cent of Australian employers identifying STEM-skilled employees as the most innovative in the country.

UNSW honours student and biotechnology start-up co-founder Alinta Furnell is one of the young scientists who are debunking the traditional myths about the science start-up community. She has already founded two start-ups that have won multiple awards – her newest business, SynBioTe, is working to optimise synthetic biology.

“My advice for young people who are looking to get into an industry but are a bit intimidated, is just to do it,” Furnell said. “Regardless of your age, you’re never too young or too old to be a scientist.”

Professor Johnston experienced misconceptions from the outside about the value of science early on in her career, which makes her even more determined to communicate the contributions scientists make to society.

 “By challenging Australians to look beyond the lab coat and explore interests in all scientific pursuits we are encouraging a fascination with the world, and we hope to inspire a generation of scientists who impact multiple and diverse industries for the better,” Professor Johnston asserted.