As part of International Women's Day on March 8, Global Challenges is sharing stories of women in academia who have developed partnerships and mentorships, to celebrate their collegiality and friendship. These partnerships show the power of women when they come together, to face challenges and adversity. Thank you to all women who took the time to share their stories and who will no doubt inspire the next generation of women in academia.
Image: Dr Anna Farmery and Dr Michelle Voyer
Dr Michelle Voyer, Senior Research Fellow - Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS), UOW
I first met Anna about three years ago. She had just been offered the position of Vice Chancellors post-doctoral fellow at ANCORS and she got in touch with me as I was halfway through my own fellowship. We caught up for a coffee and a chat and we hit it off straight away! We were both in different stages of the VC fellowship positions at ANCORS, which are an amazing opportunity to work in a fairly autonomous and exploratory way on your own research topic. This is really exciting but also sometimes a bit daunting. So, we would regularly catch up to swap notes and talk through any issues we were having.
“We decided to collaborate on a project on food security in the Blue Economy, focusing on Timor Leste. That project really solidified our partnership. Field work is a great way to really connect around ideas, and our time in Timor and the Philippines laid the foundation for future collaborations.”
As we got to know each other’s research we realised how complementary our different approaches and research topics were. So, we decided to collaborate on a project on food security in the Blue Economy, focusing on Timor Leste. That project really solidified our partnership. Field work is a great way to really connect around ideas, and our time in Timor and the Philippines laid the foundation for future collaborations. We have now published four papers together, with more planned. More importantly, we have produced work that is focused on creating tangible outcomes and insights for Governments and other stakeholders working on the implementation of a Blue Economy approach in their countries.
We both have a similar sense of humour and don’t take ourselves to seriously. But we are also both driven to conduct research that has impact in the world. I have learnt so much about what commonly used terms like ‘food security’ mean in practice. Anna has opened my eyes to the importance of thinking about fish and other seafood as part of a food system, with a focus not just upon how much is produced but also its nutritional value and whether it is going to the people that need it most. This perspective has been very lacking in a lot of fisheries management thinking and is certainly not discussed much in amongst all the hype surrounding the idea of a Blue Economy. Her perspectives have already contributed a great deal to academic and non-academic debates over the future of our oceans.
“Anna is so generous and collegial, which makes me feel like we both have a safe space in which we can throw around ideas, talk about our insecurities or doubts but also share and celebrate our successes. I look forward to many more collaborations with her in the future.”
Anna and I connect regularly, usually at least once a week for a walk or a coffee. We can cover a lot of ground in one catch up and it helps me to feel reenergised, refocused and confident that the work we both do has purpose and meaning. Anna is so generous and collegial, which makes me feel like we both have a safe space in which we can throw around ideas, talk about our insecurities or doubts but also share and celebrate our successes. I look forward to many more collaborations with her in the future.
Dr Anna Farmery, Vice Chancellor's Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS), UOW
The first time I met Michelle was in February 2018, just after I been offered my job as VC postdoctoral research fellow at UOW. I had flown up from Tasmania to have a look around Wollongong and sign my contract. I had been in touch with Michelle beforehand to ask her questions about the position, as she was also a VC fellow. Michelle had organised a lunch for me to meet a few of the ANCORS folks and it was a great introduction to both ANCORS and UOW. Initially it was the fact that we had the same job title, but as we got to know each other more we realised we had similar research interests around oceans and sustainable development. I had long wished to visit Timor Leste and once I realised Michelle had been working there, we began collaborating on research ideas.
“I trust her [Michelle’s] judgement and often seek her feedback on issues that I am uncertain about, from academic dilemmas to child raising.”
I found that I really valued Michelle’s perspective and enjoyed working with her. She was always open to ideas and a good listener. I began to chat with her regularly about research ideas. Over time we have become very good friends and go on walking meetings where we have a safe space to download everything that is on our minds, both good and less good. Michelle is incredibly positive and open minded and very easy to get along with – in and out of the office. She is honest in her approach and is also great to have a laugh with. I trust her judgement and often seek her feedback on issues that I am uncertain about, from academic dilemmas to child raising.
“Michelle is unfailingly supportive and inclusive. I have really benefited from our relationship and appreciate her ongoing enthusiasm in our individual and combined research. I hope we will share research ideas and laughs together for a long time to come.”
I’ve learned so many things from Michelle! From small things like finding the right person to contact, to huge things like staying relaxed while leading a multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural, multi-sectoral research project. Michelle is unfailingly supportive and inclusive. I have really benefited from our relationship and appreciate her ongoing enthusiasm in our individual and combined research. I hope we will share research ideas and laughs together for a long time to come.
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