Dr Juliette Tobias-Webb (picture inset above, and below) Professor of Practice, Behavioural Science, in the Charles Sturt Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Futures Institute (AICFI) is one of 98 women from 18 countries with a science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM) background selected for the Homeward Bound program.

They will depart Puerto Madryn, Argentina, on Sunday 12 November for a 19-night voyage to Antarctica on board The Island Sky.

Homeward Bound supports women in STEMM to enhance their opportunity to take up leadership roles globally, and to individually and collectively contribute to a sustainable world.

Juliette said, “Homeward Bound not only takes us to the ends of the Earth but also towards the forefront of leadership in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine.

“I truly believe the future of leadership is multidisciplinary, and thus to be surrounded by such diverse women from all aspects of STEMM is a privilege and advantage in terms of the learnings that we will gain from each other.”

Juliette has a PhD in Experimental Psychology from Cambridge University and has worked for a range of leading government and corporate organisations.

At the Charles Sturt AICFI Juliette is a Translational Science and Behavioural Design Architect, and she is one of 60 women in Australia nominated as a ‘Superstar of STEMM’.

Juliette has a range of academic experience having taught executive leadership and Master of Business Administration (MBA) courses across the globe.

She has published articles in many leading neuroscience and psychology journals and featured in a range of media outlets such as ABC’s Triple J Hack and the Australian Financial Review.

Juliette said the Antarctic voyage represents more than a physical expedition; it symbolises a commitment to global collaboration, sustainability, and women’s leadership in STEMM.

“This experience will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of my research, infusing it with newfound perspectives and insights gained from interacting with brilliant minds from 18 different countries,” she said.

“I will now have a power bank of people I can call upon for expertise, cultural understanding and differences in opinions and values.

“For me, it also represents a strong commitment from Charles Sturt University, that they believe in me and my leadership, which is awe-inspiring in terms of my commitment to work for an organisation that believes in me.”

The women on The Island Sky 2023 voyage represent the diversity, initiative, bravery and collaboration that is championed by the Homeward Bound program, and they will be joined by 13 invited participants and 10 faculty, including a member of Homeward Bound’s Busara Circle.

By 2036, the Homeward Bound program aims to build a global collaboration of 10,000 women with backgrounds in STEMM who will be visible, collaborative, networked and impacting the decisions made in many quarters for the greater good.

Last week Charles Sturt environmental science researcher Dr Liz Znidersic set sail for Antarctica aboard The Ushuaia for a similar career-changing experience.