In the male-dominated STEMM field, Professor Iwona Miliszewska is a game changer. As Head of the School of Science, Engineering and Technology at RMIT Vietnam, she has led the way and advanced the cause of women through bold initiatives and an inspiring journey from a small town in Poland to a global leader.
Professor Miliszewska’s journey in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine) began in a small town in Poland, where her aptitude for mathematics led her to a pivotal decision: to study computer science at the Dresden University of Technology in Germany. This choice, which combined her academic interests with the opportunity to brush up on her already fluent German, was a turning point that changed her life.
“It was a perfect decision. I am satisfied with both my studies and my career after completing the program,” the Professor reflects.
Professor Miliszewska's career is a combination of work experience in and outside of academia, giving her unique insights into the challenges and opportunities facing women in STEMM.
Her career journey has been marked by a series of leadership roles at prestigious institutions, including Deanships at the University of Canberra and Victoria University in Melbourne, and most recently as Associate Dean, Global Networks, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology at the University of Technology, Sydney. With 15 years of experience working in transnational settings in Hong Kong and Malaysia, Professor Miliszewska brings a global perspective to her current role at RMIT Vietnam.
Professor Miliszewska and colleagues at RMIT University Vietnam (Photo: RMIT)
Her advocacy for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) extends far beyond the academic arena, with her past roles including Chair of the Australian IT Deans Council and Director of the Australian Computer Society ICT Education Council. Her influence in shaping the future of digital education continues through her membership on the Scientific Advisory Board of the Einstein Centre for the Digital Future in Berlin, Germany.
Empowering the next generation
Drawing on her own experience and understanding of the challenges facing women in STEMM, Professor Miliszewska recently launched the Women in STEMM Circle (WiSC) initiative at RMIT Vietnam. In a faculty where women make up only 19% of the teaching and research staff, WiSC serves as an important support network for female scholars and researchers. The initiative stems from Professor Miliszewska’s desire to create an easier path for women currently studying and working in STEMM.
“This close-knit community provides guidance and support, helps avoid common mistakes, fosters collaboration, and provides opportunities for growth,” she said, emphasizing the importance of helping female scientists the way she was helped on her career journey, while also providing additional opportunities she wished she had access to.
An event of the Women in STEMM Support Circle (WiSC) initiative (Photo: RMIT)
The impact of WiSC, even though it is only four months old, can already be seen in the achievements of its 17 members. One member was appointed as the Head of the Faculty’s Medical and Public Health Research Group, another was named a “Communication Star” for her active participation in sharing scientific information, and two other members won top prizes in the “Storytelling for Impactful Research” competition. These early successes demonstrate the power of targeted support and community building in advancing the careers of women in STEMM.
The initiative offers a comprehensive support system, including regular informal meetings, professional development programs, and research workshops. Members share information about opportunities such as visiting research fellowships for PhD students and celebrate each other’s achievements, from passing milestones on the PhD journey to receiving departmental/university recognition. This supportive environment helps create a sense of belonging and empowers women in a field where they often feel isolated.
Challenging stereotypes and shaping the future
Professor Miliszewska is known for challenging stereotypes with style and intelligence. At a conference for Women in STEMM in Malaysia, she opened her memorable speech by pointing to her outfit of elaborate high heels and feminine red nails, and asking the audience a provocative question: “Do I look like an engineer?”. A resounding “no” from the audience of nearly three hundred female researchers sparked a lively three-day discussion about gender stereotypes in STEMM. Through this simple yet powerful illustration, she challenged the notion that being a female scientist or engineer means sacrificing one’s femininity.
The Professor’s approach to addressing gender bias is both pragmatic and strategic. She emphasizes that the challenges faced by women in STEMM are not just “women’s issues” but societal and institutional issues that require collaboration from all stakeholders. Under her leadership, the department ensures the presence of women on committees, working groups, academic councils and international delegations. Male colleagues actively participate as mentors for female scholars and female PhD students, creating a more inclusive and supportive environment.
Looking ahead, Professor Miliszewska’s vision for WiSC is ambitious and far-reaching. Plans are underway to expand the Circle of Support membership programme to include female undergraduates, with careful consideration of the practicalities of such an expansion. The initiative has already begun reaching out to similar groups and female researchers at other nearby universities and research institutes, building a wider network of support and collaboration.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Professor Miliszewska embodies the balance between professional success and personal enjoyment that many ambitious women in STEMM strive for. An avid traveler and downhill skier, she also enjoys theatre, opera and suspenseful detective stories. Her self-proclaimed passion for suede heels is a subtle reminder that maintaining femininity and achieving great success in science are not mutually exclusive.
Professor Milizewska's leadership style is informed by a philosophy passed down from one of her mentors, who often quoted Thomas Paine: "The greater the obstacle, the more glorious the triumph." This mindset has helped her overcome obstacles at work that are not necessarily too great, but sometimes make her feel the need to work harder than her male colleagues to prove her worth.
Through her work at RMIT Vietnam and the WiSC initiative, Professor Miliszewska continues to demonstrate that the future of STEMM is one where diversity drives innovation and women can express their full intellectual and personal potential. Her efforts are helping to create a world where the next generation of women in STEMM will find more open doors, stronger support networks and fewer barriers to overcome on their journey to achieve their dreams.
Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/giay-cao-got-va-stemm-hanh-trinh-cua-nu-truong-khoa-rmit-viet-nam-20250306120340327.htm
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