• A Charles Sturt University postdoctoral Research Fellow has been awarded a place in the international Homeward Bound program
• Dr Elizabeth Znidersic is the first Charles Sturt University woman to be accepted into the program
• She researches wetlands and technological approaches to ecological monitoring

An early-career Charles Sturt University researcher has been awarded a place in the 2022/23 Homeward Bound program to foster leadership by women in STEMM – science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine.

Dr Elizabeth (Liz) Znidersic (pictured) is a postdoctoral Research Fellow with the new Charles Sturt Gulbali Institute of Agriculture, Water and Environment which focuses on impactful research about agriculture, water, and environment.

The Homeward Bound program is a ground-breaking, global leadership initiative, set against the backdrop of Antarctica, which aims to heighten the influence and impact of women in making decisions that shape the planet.

Charles Sturt Vice-Chancellor Professor Renée Leon congratulated Dr Znidersic on being accepted for the 2022/23 Homeward Bound Program for Women in STEMM.

“This is a fantastic achievement for both Liz and the University, as Liz is the first Charles Sturt University academic who has been accepted into the program,” she said.

“As we mark the United Nations International Day of Women and Girls in Science (Friday 11 February) and International Women’s Day (Tuesday 8 March), it is particularly important to highlight projects such as the Homeward Bound program, which underpin work towards gender equality and equal access and participation for women and girls in science and research.

“I am proud that we are part of the Homeward Bound program for women.”

Dr Znidersic welcomed news of her selection and said scientific endeavour plays a critical part in resolving the difficult problems facing the sustainability of the planet.

“Homeward Bound provides a unique and challenging opportunity by tackling the challenge of science communication and the visibility of women in STEMM,” she said.

“In addition to the overarching gender imbalance in leadership, women in STEMM face additional challenges specific to these fields.”

Dr Znidersic said that to be part of a global collaboration for a sustainable and equitable world with women in STEMM is an exciting opportunity.

“I work on wetlands and technological approaches to ecological monitoring,” she said.

“Water management and the protection of wetlands is a worldwide issue.

“Our world needs a model of leadership which includes innovation and a mind-set of legacy to protect not only wetlands, but our planet.”

Read about Dr Znidersic’s current project.

Read more about Dr Znidersic’s wetland birds acoustic research.

See the full list of 2022/23 Homeward Bound participants.