Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Franklin Women @franklinwomen.bsky.social · 1d

🌏 What’s it like to build a life and career in Aus after migrating from overseas?

Join our Oct Members Connect with Dr Afsaneh Lahooti, @georgeinstitute.bsky.social & @westernsydneyu.bsky.social.

📆 Tues 21 Oct, 12:30–1:30 pm AEDT
💻 Online via Zoom
🎟️ Register 👉 shorturl.at/fXw5g

Free for members!

Franklin Women @franklinwomen.bsky.social · 2d

Applications are OPEN for the 2026 Round 1 Carer’s Scholarship!

💡 To spark your imagination, here are photos of how Dr Yufeng Zhao used her scholarship — travelling to Italy for an academic course that only happens once every seven years! 🇮🇹

Applications close Monday 20 Oct

More👉 shorturl.at/8g7Qn

Dr Yufeng Zhao stands in a laboratory holding tools beside scientific equipment and cables. She is smiling at the camera and wearing a lavender jumper and glasses. A text overlay reads: “With the Carer’s Scholarship, my children’s care was well arranged, and I could immerse myself in a training course which only happens once every seven years.”

Three people stand together discussing a research poster displayed on a wall at an academic conference. Dr Yufeng Zhao, wearing glasses and a navy jacket with a yellow lanyard, is smiling while talking with two colleagues in front of the poster.

Dr Yufeng Zhao stands smiling on a narrow cobblestone street lined with stone buildings under a bright blue sky. She is wearing green trousers, a dark blue corduroy jacket and a colourful headscarf, with a yellow lanyard and cross-body bag.

Dr Yufeng Zhao sits on a boat with other smiling attendees. They are wearing white caps and yellow lanyards, enjoying the sunny weather during a group excursion.

Franklin Women @franklinwomen.bsky.social · 7d

✨ In our September Newsletter we caught up with Michele Nealon, Hearing Coordinator at Macquarie University Hearing. She shared her inspiring career journey and how centring lived experience in conversations can shift systems towards greater accessibility and inclusion.

Read more👉 shorturl.at/TlOUP

A smiling Michele Nealon in a bright blue jacket leans out of the window of a yellow train, waving enthusiastically at the camera. The train is moving uphill through a grassy landscape under a clear blue sky.

Franklin Women @franklinwomen.bsky.social · 8d

🌟 Join our next Members Connect with Dr Afsaneh Lahooti, who migrated to Australia in 2021 from Iran, by way of Canada and Singapore. She'll reflect on her own path – sharing insights, strategies and encouragement for others walking a similar road. Free for FW members 💛

Register 👉 shorturl.at/fXw5g

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Franklin Women @franklinwomen.bsky.social · 9d

Sept newsletter alert! 📬 Inside:

⭐️Michele Nealon, Macquaire Uni, on why flexible communication matters
⭐️Dr Ayan Dasvarma, @monashuniversity.bsky.social, unpacks power in the workplace
⭐️Melissa Webber, Holy Cow! Creative, shares about human connection in a digital world

Read👉 shorturl.at/n9HiC

Franklin Women @franklinwomen.bsky.social · 15d

In our Aug Newsletter we spoke with the amazing @drpinerodeplaza.bsky.social, Research Fellow at the Flinders Caring Futures Institute @flindersuniversity.bsky.social about her inspiring career journey🙌

Read our conversation👉 shorturl.at/TJSlH

📧Subscribe to our monthly newsletter shorturl.at/DUoYb

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Franklin Women @franklinwomen.bsky.social · 16d

Thank you to all who joined our webinar Navigating Your Career During Menopause!💛 A fantastic group from across Aus tuned in to talk all things #menopauseintheworkplace.

Up next: our Members Connect Virtual event, Navigating Life and Career When You’re New to Australia.

Register👉 shorturl.at/TJov3

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Franklin Women @franklinwomen.bsky.social · 21d

⏰ 4 days left to join the F2F Career YOU Sydney cohort.

🌟 100% of surveyed participants reported a deeper understanding of their professional strengths

🌟 95% gained greater clarity on their career goals

🌟 90% felt more optimistic about building meaningful careers

Register: shorturl.at/3xei9

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Franklin Women @franklinwomen.bsky.social · 22d

(Part 2/2)

Thank you, Roshni, for sharing your story and insights!

Interested in becoming a Franklin Women member? No matter your role or where you are in your career journey, we’d love you to join us 🤝

Learn more about membership here 👉 shorturl.at/1iiGL

Text reads: “4. What has been your favourite Franklin Women event or activity?” Roshni says Franklin Women is one of the few places in STEMM where the whole of her is welcome. She’s proud to be a mentee in the 2025 Mentoring Program, and says the community reminds her she’s not alone and that together they’re building something better. On the bottom right is a photo of Roshni standing and smiling in a black-and-white striped shirt.

Text reads: “5. Any recommendations?” Roshni says she’s drawn to stories and ideas about leadership, relationships, and being human. She recommends The Culture Map by Erin Meyer, Coach the Person, Not the Problem, and Power: A User’s Guide. The text is signed “Thank you, Roshni!”

Text reads: “Interested in becoming a Franklin Women Member?” It describes Franklin Women as a social enterprise supporting the careers of women in health and medical research through community, professional development, and initiatives. It invites people to join, with the website: FranklinWomen.com.au.

Franklin Women @franklinwomen.bsky.social · 22d

✨ Meet Roshni Sharma GAICD – FW mentee and Project Manager at @westmeadinst.bsky.social!

In our latest Members Fast 5 she shares what she loves about leading PrecisionGo, her inspirations, a life-changing trip to Antarctica, and being part of the FW community 💛

(Part 1/2)

Portrait of Roshni Sharma in a red and black jacket, standing outdoors in Antarctica with snow and icebergs in the background. Text reads: “Members Fast 5. Roshni Sharma, Project Manager at the Westmead Institute for Medical Research.”

Text reads: “1. To start us off, could you tell us about your current workplace and role?” Roshni describes leading the PrecisionGo initiative at the Westmead Institute for Medical Research, connecting researchers and clinicians with genomics, imaging, biobanking, and bioinformatics. She says her role sits at the intersection of people, science and systems, and she loves it. On the bottom right is a photo of Roshni seated and smiling, wearing a white shirt with gold spots and a necklace.

Text reads: “2. What do you love about your job?” Roshni shares that travelling to Antarctica with Homeward Bound changed how she sees work, life and self, and that precision medicine is technical and future-focused but rooted in humanity. She says she contributes to the bigger picture and helps people live better, longer lives. Includes a photo of Roshni outdoors in Antarctica wearing glasses and a life vest, captioned “Roshni in Antarctica!”

Text reads: “3. Who is your greatest career inspiration and why?” Roshni names Luke Stewart, her former CEO at EMM Consulting, who showed that leadership starts with care, and Fabian Dattner, founder of Homeward Bound, who created a global movement for women in STEMM leadership. Below are photos of Luke Stewart and Fabian Dattner, each labelled with their names.

Franklin Women @franklinwomen.bsky.social · 23d

We often hear about the ‘leaky pipeline’ in STEMM – but what if women aren’t leaving, they’re pivoting? 💡

In our August Newsletter we caught up with Cassie Leonard, Founder of ELMM Coaching, to get a sneak peek into the new release Beyond the Pipeline 👀

Read more 👉 shorturl.at/oPV3l

A digital promotional graphic of the turquoise book “Beyond the Pipeline” on a green background with floral illustrations. A round pink-to-orange gradient sticker reads: “Women don’t quit. We pivot.”

An open cardboard box filled with multiple copies of the turquoise book “Beyond the Pipeline.” The books are neatly stacked with some brown packing paper tucked inside the box.

Two smiling women stand close together, wearing orange lanyards. One of them holds a turquoise book titled “Beyond the Pipeline.” They appear to be at an event or conference, with people and patterned curtains in the background.

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Franklin Women @franklinwomen.bsky.social · 24d

🌟Thanks to Nathan Bartlett (Uni Newcastle), Prof Caroline Homer AO (burnetinstitute.bsky.social), A/Prof Sonia Saad (sydney.edu.au) & Katie Viviers (St Vincent’s Clinic) for sharing at our Mentoring Career Insights Panel, and to Dr Abby Jandro (Serendis) for facilitating!

More 👉 shorturl.at/s5FbC

Screenshot of the Franklin Women 2025 Inclusive Leadership hashtag Mentoring Program Career Insights Panel webinar, with Dr Abby Jandro, Ph.D. from Serendis Leadership, and mentors Nathan Bartlett, Prof Caroline Homer AO, A/Prof Sonia Saad, and Katie Viviers.

Franklin Women @franklinwomen.bsky.social · 28d

We’re keeping the convo going after Women’s Health Week💖

Join our webinar Navigating Your Career During Menopause with workplace wellbeing expert, Thea O’Connor🌟

Learn how to find support, self-advocate, and protect your career💪

💻Tues 16 Sept, 12pm AEST
⏰Registrations close Sun: shorturl.at/dg4QX

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Franklin Women @franklinwomen.bsky.social · 29d

And here’s part 2, plus a recap on why it matters for everyone in health & medical research.

🌟 At Franklin Women, we’re championing these changes through our programs, partnerships and collaborations.

Want to know more? 👉 FranklinWomen.com.au
Read the full report 👉 shorturl.at/ngkb3

Green background with heading “Rewards & Recognition.” Text calls to move beyond “publish or perish” and recognise diverse outputs, including collaboration, openness, integrity and invisible contributions like mentoring and teamwork. Illustration of two hands clasped with a ribbon around them.

Coral background with heading “Communication, Monitoring & Accountability.” Text explains cultural change requires clear policies, transparent communication, and accountability to ensure initiatives translate into real change. Illustration of a woman holding a megaphone.

Purple background with heading “Why It Matters.” Text states that healthy research culture benefits everyone, with better quality research, policy impact and trust. For women and underrepresented groups, it means sustainable careers and leadership representation. Illustration of a hand holding a glowing lightbulb.

Beige background with closing message from Franklin Women, stating they champion these priorities through programs, partnerships and collaborations. Contact email hello@franklinwomen.com.au
, social media icons, and link to the NHMRC report. Illustration of an open envelope with a document.

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Franklin Women @franklinwomen.bsky.social · 29d

💡Research culture shapes not only the quality of science, but whose careers are able to thrive.

Systemic barriers & outdated measures of “success” still hold too many back.

The NHMRC’s new Good Practice Guide outlines key areas to build a stronger research culture.

Here’s our FW Wrap-up (part 1)👇

Coral background with heading “Role Modelling and Leadership.” Text highlights that leaders should model care, collaboration and integrity, and create safe, supportive environments. Illustration of a woman holding a tablet with charts and documents

Purple background with heading “Resources That Enable Quality.” Text explains that institutions should provide expertise, mentoring, training and infrastructure, and ensure equitable access. Illustration of two people working on laptops with an infinity loop symbol.

Light beige background with heading “Education & Training.” Text explains that skills must be nurtured at every stage of a career and training should be inclusive and culturally safe. Illustration of books, a clock, a coffee cup and a plant.

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Franklin Women @franklinwomen.bsky.social · Sep 9

Earlier this year FW launched Career YOU – giving women the tools and support to craft the career that’s right for YOU 🌟

Jo Dable, UNSW, shares her experience: from dialling up the bravery, to reframing goals, and building authentic networks.

✨ Read: shorturl.at/myznJ
🎓Enrol: shorturl.at/G8MXw

A smiling woman with shoulder-length dark hair and glasses stands in front of display shelves holding scientific specimens. She is wearing a black floral blouse and dangling earrings.

Franklin Women @franklinwomen.bsky.social · Sep 5

Last week, Franklin Women joined the SAGE 2025 Breaking Silos conference — bringing together changemakers from across the higher education and research landscape 🤝

We were proud to be among friends to learn and contribute to the conversation, both in the room and online💡

Tamzen Armer, SAGE Director of Programs, and Dr. Melina Georgousakis, founder of Franklin Women, smiling together at a conference. Both are wearing Franklin Women T-shirts, featuring bold graphic designs

Professor Chelsea Watego presenting her keynote talk, titled ‘So what’s wrong with equity? A Blackfulla feminist perspective.’ The slide is projected in a large hall as attendees sit at round tables listening

Dr. Bree Gorman speaking into a microphone during a workshop session, standing in front of a projected slide titled ‘Beyond Committees: Building real influence for lasting DEI change.’ They gesture while addressing the audience

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Franklin Women @franklinwomen.bsky.social · Sep 3

🌟Join our webinar Navigating Your Career During Menopause with workplace wellbeing expert Thea O’Connor.

Be prepared, not scared! 💪 Learn practical strategies for managing symptoms, advocating at work & protecting your career.

📅 Tues 16 Sept, 12pm (recording available)
👉Register: shorturl.at/9WJuO

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Franklin Women @franklinwomen.bsky.social · Aug 31

📬 Our August newsletter has arrived! Here's a sneak peak of what's inside:

Dr Maria A. Piñero de Plaza on people-centred research + AI ✊
Cassie Leonard on the new release 'Beyond the Pipeline' 📖
Career YOU reflections from Jo Dable 💼
🌸 And spring picks by Dr Amy Vassallo

Read 👉 shorturl.at/pp85B

Franklin Women @franklinwomen.bsky.social · Aug 29

✨ It can be lonely at the top. But it doesn’t have to be 💛

At our latest Members Connect, Prof Billie Bonevski from @flindersuniversity.bsky.social shared openly about her leadership journey & the challenges and rewards along the way 💫 Thank you Billie!!

Join our next MC virtual👉 shorturl.at/trRL5

Professor Billie Bonevski smiling with arms crossed, wearing a black blazer over a white top, standing in front of a dark grey wall.

Franklin Women @franklinwomen.bsky.social · Aug 28

🚗✨ Last week FW hit the road for our event Build a Thriving Career in Newcastle and Beyond - and what a roaring success it was!

Huge thanks to our panellists Jessica Bennett, Cate Dingelstad, Prof Kirsty Pringle & Dr Shanthi Ramanathan for sharing their wisdom 💜

Upcoming events 👉 shorturl.at/xLk94

Four women, Jessica Bennett, Cate Dingelstad, Professor Kirsty Pringle, and Dr Shanthi Ramanathan, sit on stage in conversation, one holding a microphone and speaking, while the others listen. White script text across the bottom reads “hi Newy!”.

Audience seated in rows facing a speaker at the podium in a gallery space, with colourful paintings on the walls and a Franklin Women presentation slide on screen.

Five women sit on stage as panellists, engaged in discussion with the audience, in front of bright abstract paintings and a Franklin Women event screen.

Five female panellists, Jessica Bennett, Cate Dingelstad, Professor Kirsty Pringle, and Dr Shanthi Ramanathan, sit together smiling for a group photo on stage, with two colourful paintings in the background.

Franklin Women @franklinwomen.bsky.social · Aug 27

🌟 Exciting news — Career YOU is back! After a successful pilot, we're hosting our first in-person cohort in Sydney 🎉

Discover your strengths, set goals & connect with women across the health & medical research ecosystem 🌱

Enrolments are NOW OPEN, spots are limited!

More 👉 shorturl.at/117G0

Graphic promoting Franklin Women’s Career YOU program with text: ‘Sydney Enrolments Open’. Three icons with statistics from the pilot cohort: 95% gained greater clarity about their career goals, 100% developed a deeper understanding of their professional strengths, 90% left feeling more optimistic about building their career. Below: ‘A career development program designed to provide you with the time, theory, and practical support to craft the career that is right for YOU.’ Footer text: ‘For more information and to register, visit FranklinWomen.com’. Background in coral pink

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Franklin Women @franklinwomen.bsky.social · Aug 26

📣 Round 1 of the 2026 Franklin Women Carer’s Scholarship is NOW OPEN! This scholarship supports primary caregivers in health & medical research to take up valuable career opportunities 🙌
More here 👉 shorturl.at/8g7Qn
With thanks to our members & Sydney Local Health District for making it possible!

A green graphic with an illustration of a peach-coloured flower in the top left corner. White script text reads “Apply Now.” Below, bold white text says: “Applications for the next round of the Franklin Women Carer’s Scholarship are now open.” At the bottom, smaller text reads: “For more information: FranklinWomen.com.au.”

Franklin Women @franklinwomen.bsky.social · Aug 25

Announcing the Round 2, 2025 Franklin Women Carer’s Scholarship recipients 👏

⭐ Dr Sara Mohamed, @kidscancerinst.bsky.social
⭐ Dr Yufeng Zhao, Uni of Wollongong
⭐ Dr Dorna Esrafilzadeh, Uni of NSW
⭐ Louise Drysdale, Uni of Canberra
⭐ Dr Amy R. Dwyer, Uni of Adelaide

👉Read more shorturl.at/On6ia

Portrait of Dr Sara Mohamed (Children’s Cancer Institute), smiling, wearing a patterned black and red headscarf and maroon vest, standing outdoors with greenery blurred in the background. White overlay text reads: “Meet our 2025 Carer’s Scholarship recipients.”

Split portrait image. On the left, Dr Yufeng Zhao (University of Wollongong), smiling, wearing glasses and a rust-coloured top against a leafy background. On the right, Dr Dorna Esrafilzadeh (University of New South Wales), smiling, wearing glasses and a black blazer against a warm-toned backdrop.

Split portrait image. On the left, Louise Drysdale (University of Canberra), smiling in a black top against a plain background. On the right, Dr Amy Dwyer (University of Adelaide), smiling, wearing glasses and a striped top with a university lanyard, standing in front of a whiteboard.

Franklin Women @franklinwomen.bsky.social · Aug 25

We’d like to share some important news & ask for your help 💛 Thanks to a 2-year NSW Health grant, FW has grown into a thriving social enterprise supporting women in health & medical research. With funding ended, we’re at a pivotal moment — please lend your voice & write to your MP👉 shorturl.at/qpDSo

A green square tile with a large white quotation mark symbol at the top left. The main text reads: “I am concerned our work and its impact on the health and medical research ecosystem has been underestimated, so we are asking our community to help us bring our impact to life through their own voices.” Beneath this, in a white handwritten-style font, it says: Dr Melina Georgousakis. Below that, in small pink uppercase letters: Founder, Franklin Women.