Australia’s national centre for quantum growth, Quantum Australia, participated in the Women in STEMM Leadership Summit, framing increased female participation as vital to bolstering national capabilities in sectors ranging from mining to defence. Dr. Scott Tyo, Chief of Platforms at Defence Science and Technology Group, joined the discussion, specifically focusing on measurable allyship for women in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine. The summit, a partnership between the Women Leaders Institute and Science & Technology Australia, saw STA CEO Ryan Winn moderate a panel examining sponsorship, accountability, and systemic change. Petra Andrén, CEO of Quantum Australia, emphasized that decisions made now will define who benefits from the emerging sector and that “allyship in STEMM cannot stop at encouragement.”
Quantum Australia Advocates Measurable Allyship in STEMM
The organization’s involvement signals a commitment to embedding gender equity within the foundational stages of a rapidly developing field, ensuring Australia doesn’t replicate historical imbalances in emerging technologies. Dr. Andrén articulated the urgency of the moment, stating, “Quantum technologies represent a leadership, capability and national readiness opportunity for Australia right now.” She continued, “The decisions made now will shape who gets to build, govern, and benefit from the sector because the sector is still forming.” This emphasis on proactive intervention reflects a recognition that shaping the quantum landscape with inclusivity is more effective than attempting to rectify imbalances after the field has matured. Quantum Australia has previously asserted that incorporating women’s perspectives is vital to avoid the “blind spots” that have hampered other technology sectors, and that leadership equity must be intentionally built into the field while it is still nascent.
Ryan Winn, CEO of Science & Technology Australia, underscored this shift in focus, noting that STA is shifting the conversation from representation to real influence. Andrén further explained that, “As Australia seeks to build a globally-competitive quantum industry, allyship should also be viewed as a capability issue, not simply a diversity issue,” highlighting the strategic imperative of fully utilizing all available talent in a sector facing a global skills shortage.
If we build our quantum capability without enough women in the room, we risk repeating the same blind spots that have limited other emerging technology sectors, making events like Science & Technology Australia’s Women in STEMM Leadership Summit absolutely critical.
Petra Andrén, CEO of Quantum Australia
