Dr Bianca Capra’s Post

Visibility. What does it really mean to be seen, and your story heard? Turns out quite a lot. Seeing, and hearing the unseen stories of the ground-breaking contributions of Women In STEM can change pathways and lives. A few weeks ago I went to watch 'Hedy!' written by, and starring Heather Massie. I have always know the amazing Hedy Lamarr as a pioneering, innovative, creative thinker and the co-creator of Frequency-Hopping Spread Spectrum Technology. Her invention was pivotal to the development of many of the devices we take for granted today, like mobile phones, Wi-Fi, GPS and Bluetooth. She was a true STEM trailblazing woman, and has set many amazing girls on a path of invention and electrical engineering. It was wonderful to see and hear her story in the art form of theatre, but also disappointing that such a pioneering woman with a ground breaking invention had to wait so long for her efforts to be acknowledged and celebrated. After the show, I had the pleasure of being on a panel with the amazing Heather Massie together with ACT Emerging Scientist of the year Associate Professor Aparna Lal and Bobby Cerini to talk about Women in STEM, and discuss the themes from Hedy! We spoke of the importance of non-traditional role models, how one woman can make ripples that turn into waves and shape landscapes, and how important it is we keep telling the stories of all the hidden women who have, and continue to, advance our STEM knowledge. If you know a young girl or woman in STEM celebrate her achievements, and tell her story, you could just change the career pathway and life of the next Hedy Lamarr. #WomenInSTEM #RoleModels #WomenLeaders #Diversity #Inclusion #NationalScienceWeek

What’s in a book? We can learn so much from reading. We can gain new perspectives and ideas, explore new topics to expand our knowledge or just escape into the world of great fiction. These are the books that have kept me busy so far this year. I’ve laughed, I’ve learned, and I’ve had my beliefs and thoughts challenged. I’ve loved them all. I’m always looking for recommendations on what to read, to grow my knowledge, expand my understanding, explore difficult and challenging topics and escape into great fiction. What’s your recommendations? #books #reading #learning #bookclub

If you’re Canberra based then come along to the AIAA Sydney Section Trivia night and test your #space knowledge!

Investing in Women. We can all do it, and the impact it has can be transformative.  Sometimes this investment must be big and bold to be transformative. Although this is indeed true, it is also true that we each can make strong, impactful investments in the women and girls within our spheres of influence. This investment is equally as effective and transformative.  This #IWD as I reflect on the theme #investinginwomen , I think about how I both invest, and have benefited from investment in women, by women, men and all genders.  What does this investment look like? It is varied, and unique to each person. Investment is allyship, sponsorship and mentorship. It is understanding diversity in everything from thinking to being is a great strength. It is celebrating difference, being bold and supporting people to be the change we need. It is role modelling, listening and acting.  It is boldly acting when you can, and when you have positions of influence. It is opportunity, friendship and support.  My top tips for those wanting to invest in the women they know include: ➡ Recognise you already are a role model. Don’t underestimate the unseen impact you have on others.  ➡ Accept invitations to support women, my personal favourite is to sit on their Personal Board of Directors which is a powerful way to invest in women. ➡ Be a sponsor. Ensure the women you know are being promoted in the forums you’re in. ➡ Encourage and support women to take opportunities they may not consider for themselves. ➡ Listen. Support. Act And never forget the power of words. A courageous and inspirational mentor of mine once said to me “My difference is my superpower” at the point in time I needed to hear that. I have had so many great people invest in me, and I hope I have invested back. I can’t mention them all but some key people who have invested in me include Kate Yaxley, Lily Attwood, Tanya Monro AC, Catherine Roberts, Scott Tyo, Mark Bazzacco, Paul Maddison, Cayt Rowe, Tamara Sopek, Heather Nicoll, Olivia Widjaja, Sara Borazjani, Martin Stebbing, Keirin Joyce, Russell Boyce, Emily Hilder, Dr Oleksandra Molloy, Tjasa Boh Whiteman, Geoff Zuber, Sandra Capra AM and many many more. #womeninstem #womensupportingwomen #leadership #womenleadingchange

Creativity. Curiosity. Diversity. These are traits of great engineers, like the amazing Kate Yaxley. Kate embodies what we need in our engineers. Not only is Kate an expert in the Electro-Magnetic Spectrum, electronic warfare and cyber but she is an exceptional role model and ambassador for all those with a passion for engineering and life-long learning. #iwd2024 #rolemodels #womeninengineering #womeninstem #womenincyber #womensupportingwomen #womenleadership

The best part of being a supervisor and educator is seeing your students excelling and succeeding. This week my past student Jeremy Moran is in the USA with the University of Southern Queensland team to track the re-entry of the NASA OSIRIS-REx mission capsule. Being involved in a NASA mission is a dream for most, if not all aerospace engineering students I’ve worked with, and for good reason! What an achievement for Jeremy reaching this goal early in his career. Congratulations Jeremy and the rest of the team - Fabian Zander, David Buttsworth, Tamara Sopek and Byrenn Birch - enjoy the ride and best of luck for your measurements. Jermey’s success is another great example of how taking career risks, and how following passions and opportunities, which may not always be the easy path, lead you to your goals and open many other paths and journeys.