Run by the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science, and Innovation the Premier's Science Awards recognises and celebrates scientific research and engagement in Western Australia.
On Monday 29 August 2022 the awards ceremony was held at Optus Stadium. Attending on behalf of the Western Australian Coordinating Committee (WACC), Deputy Chair Gina Pearse reflects on the awards night;
I thoroughly enjoyed attending the Premier’s Science Awards - there was a wonderful celebratory feeling in the air, as the STEM community got together to recognise the state’s scientists, STEM students and science engagement initiatives. There was such a high calibre of talent that the judging panel were unable to choose just one winner for most of the categories, with many joint winners announced. You could see that recipients were happy to share the limelight and support their peers’ achievements.
The emerging STEM leaders recognised with the Woodside Early Career Scientist of the Year, Shell Aboriginal STEM Student of the Year and ExxonMobil Student Scientist of the Year, gives me much encouragement for the future of STEM in WA. It also reminds me that the WA Coordinating Committee need to be always looking for these emerging leaders to include in our National Science Week celebrations and initiatives. Through this we can support their emergence as ambassadors of STEM, and encourage and foster their communication and engagement capacity.
Inspiring WA and the WACC would like to congratulate all finalists and recipients on their respective nominations and awards.