The professor's approach to addressing gender bias is both practical and strategic. She emphasised that the challenges women face in STEMM are not just "women's problems" but societal and institutional issues requiring collaboration from all stakeholders. Under her leadership, the School ensures women are represented on committees, working parties, academic panels, and international delegations. Male colleagues are actively engaged as mentors for female academics and PhD students, creating a more inclusive and supportive environment.
Looking ahead, Professor Miliszewska's vision for WiSC is ambitious and far-reaching. Plans are underway to extend the circle's membership to include undergraduate female students, carefully considering the practicalities of such an expansion. The initiative has already begun reaching out to similar groups and individual female researchers at other local universities and research institutions, building a broader network of support and collaboration.
Beyond her professional achievements, Professor Miliszewska embodies the balance between career success and personal interests that many aspiring women in STEMM seek to achieve. An avid traveller and downhill skier, she also enjoys stage theatre, opera, and murder mysteries. Her self-confessed penchant for suede high heel shoes serves as a subtle reminder that embracing one's femininity and excelling in STEMM are not mutually exclusive.
Professor Miliszewska's leadership style is informed by a philosophy passed down from one of her mentors, who often quoted Thomas Paine: "The greater the struggle, the more glorious the triumph." This mindset has helped her overcome the subtle barriers she encountered in her own career, where she sometimes felt the need to work harder than her male colleagues to prove her worth.
Through her work at RMIT Vietnam and the WiSC initiative, Professor Miliszewska continues to demonstrate that the future of STEMM is one where diversity drives innovation, and where women can fully express both their intellectual capabilities and their personal identity. Her efforts are helping to create a world where the next generation of women in STEMM will find more open doors, stronger support networks, and fewer barriers to overcome in pursuing their dreams.
Story: Ha Hoang
Masthead image: melita – stock.adobe.com
