Emily-Jade Yee | John Turnbull Kupe Leadership Scholar

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Biomedical Engineering

Currently, many workplaces and fields are becoming more aware of diversity. However, I am concerned that it is often just used as a buzzword, and the ways of achieving diversity are often misunderstood. I believe that it is not achieved just by implementing quotas and creating diversity groups, but also through educating and having open conversations with all parties involved, not only minority groups. I feel that there is a calling for leadership to promote diversity and identify the barriers that prevent it. 

My focus lies within the diversity of the STEM fields, especially surrounding gender. I currently help lead an Outreach programme which aims to provide opportunities and encourage female students and other students who face barriers, to get involved with STEM. In the process, I hope to raise more awareness surrounding the current disparity of opportunities and to challenge the perception of what it means to be a leader in the STEM industry.

Sponsor: John Turnbull Estate

Mentor: Dr Michelle Dickinson, MNZM, creator of Nanogirl, nanotechnologist and science educator, bestselling author, television presenter.