Larissa Fedunik
24 July 2024: The University of Canberra’s Faculties of Health and Science and Technology will continue partnerships with social enterprise Franklin Women in 2024. The University is one of 20 organisations contributing to the health and medical research sectors who have committed to the Franklin Women Partner Alliance.
Established in Sydney in 2014, Franklin Women is a professional community that supports the careers of women in the health sciences. Franklin Women members are offered opportunities such as unique professional development and networking events, and an inclusive leadership mentoring program.
A Franklin Women’s flagship initiative, the six-month mentoring program connects like-minded professionals for formal mentoring and professional development sessions. University academics have participated as both Franklin Women mentors and mentees since 2020.
The University has been part of Franklin Women’s Partner Alliance since 2021. Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Professor Michelle Lincoln, was instrumental in establishing an ACT Chapter of Franklin Women.
“I’ve seen first-hand the positive impact that Franklin Women in New South Wales made to the career trajectories of women in health and medical research roles. I’m really proud that the mentoring program is here in the ACT,” said Professor Lincoln.
"It's bringing together a community of women who are at the mid-career stage in medicine and health research. Franklin Women ACT is inclusive of women in health and medical research from UC, ANU, UNSW Canberra, Canberra Health Services and Commonwealth Government Departments in the ACT.
"Seeing these women bond and develop collegial relationships, and hopefully stay and progress in their careers, is really rewarding."
Further opportunities available to staff and students through the partnership include discounted participation on Franklin Women memberships for professionals and students, discounts on Learning & Development Programs for mid-career researchers and invitations to networking events.
Franklin Women will soon host its third annual round of Wikipedia Edit-a-thons, at which participants help to address the gender bias on Wikipedia, and increase visibility of women in scientific disciplines by editing or creating Wikipedia pages. The next Canberra Edit-a-thon will take place on 25 July at the iconic Shine Dome – everyone is invited to take part.
“Being a Franklin Women Partner is very much in keeping with the broader supportive environment that we have at the University of Canberra,” said Professor Janine Deakin, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Enterprise.
Professor Deakin believes that partnership programs like Franklin Women play a key role in the inclusive community offered by the University.
“I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact on my colleagues who’ve engaged with Franklin Women’s programs, as they’ve grown further into their roles – and then paid it forward and helped to further evolve this positive culture at UC.”
Photographs supplied by Franklin Women.
