A mohawked, mustang-driving, rock music chick might not be the typical image of a scientist, however geologist Dr Verity Normington is breaking down stereotypes.

A Project Geologist with the Department of Primary Industry and Resources, Dr Normington has been announced as one of the 2019 Superstars of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) run by Science and Technology Australia.

She is one of 60 women across Australia who have been awarded this prestigious honour.

Superstars of STEM aims to smash society’s gender assumptions about scientists and increase the public visibility of women in STEM. 

Superstars of STEM was created for a critical mass of celebrity Australian female scientists and technologists - role models for young women and girls – and to work towards equal representation in the media of women and men working in all fields in STEM.

Dr Normington said she wanted to be a part of the program as she was passionate about geoscience and science in general.

“I am constantly frustrated by the portrayal of geoscientists in media; an older Caucasian man shown peering down a microscope. That’s not what we do and not what we all look like,” she said.

“I believe challenging this type of stereotype is the first step in ensuring that the voice of science and STEM is void of gender and other biases.

“The start of this is empowering more women in STEM so they have the skills to stand up, be heard and inspire people to be excited by STEM.”

Dr Normington’s work currently focusses on the Amadeus Basin, where she uses sedimentology, geochronology and other geoscience disciplines to characterise rocks over a billion years old.

She is passionate about supporting Early Career Geoscientists (ECGs) to remain within the geoscience community and is an advocate for diversity.

Over five years the Superstars of STEM program will have equipped 150 female scientists and technologists with advanced communication skills and provided them with genuine opportunities to use these skills

The first year of the two-year program will focus on professional development through a series of five workshops and the second year will focus on providing participants opportunities to practice their new skills through media and speaking opportunities in schools and on high-profile stages.

Three Menzies School of Health Research researchers have also been recognised as STEM Superstars and were chosen to participate in the Superstars in STEM program due to their ability to champion change for women in STEM.

President of Science and Technology Australia Professor, Emma Johnston AO, said the women would no longer be hiding their scientific superpowers, and would share them with as many Australians as possible following the launch.

“When we launched the program last year, I said that the stereotypical scientists was an old man in a white coat,” Professor Johnston said.

“Thanks to the first 30 Superstars this is starting to change, and with 60 more announced today, we will be well on our way to permanently smashing the stereotype.

“We are extremely proud to have seen hundreds of capable, skilled, confident women apply for the program, and really look forward to sharing the stories of these impressive 60 Superstars with the world.”

Media contact: Lucy Buhr 0419 106 309