Inspiring Australia is a national strategy to help build connections between scientists, organisations, businesses, and students to foster public participation in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and innovation.
Founded in 2010, we are a vital link in Australia’s STEM ecosystem, a crucial pillar in the national Inspiring Australia strategy to improve the communication, appreciation and understanding of scientific knowledge in Australia.
We build connections between scientists, organisations, businesses and students to foster engagement and participation in science and play a unique role in meeting the increased demand for STEM skills.
We celebrate science, through innovative programs such as National Science Week and encourage all Queenslanders – regardless of interests, abilities, and backgrounds – to engage with science by making it accessible, approachable, and fun!
The initiative is part of the Australian Government’s National Innovation and Science Agenda.
Inspiring Australia Queensland runs a number of local programs that contribute to the overall Inspiring Australia strategy such as National Science Week, Regional STEM Hubs, and Targeted Science Engagement events and activities.
The Inspiring Australia program in Queensland is currently hosted by The University of Queensland (2023) and funding is allocated with approval by the Inspiring Australia Queensland Reference Group, which meet quarterly.
Reference Group Members 2025:
Adj. Prof. Christine Williams (Chair) (Advisory Board Member for QUBIC, Chair of EQuS)
Dr Jim Thompson PSM (Queensland Museum)
Ben Samy (Questacon)
Sarah Clark Reeves (Questacon)
Cr Tony Rayner (Mayor, Longreach and LGAQ Rep for Central West Queensland)
Lauren Stephenson (Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation)
Sean Cranny (Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation)
Dan Miles (Department of Education)
Jacqueline Steel (Regional Development Australia, Moreton Bay and Sunshine Coast)
Dr Anita Milroy (Inspiring Australia Queensland)
Grant administration, major events, and general promotion for National Science Week across Queensland is overseen by a volunteer committee. Anyone is welcome to join this committee if you are interested, please complete this short Expression of Interest Form.
You can also read the Terms of Reference for the Committee.
Meetings are held monthly from approximately February to September.
Committee Members 2025:
Karis Leung (Healthy Land and Water) (Co-Chair)
Jared Shepherd (UQSchoolsNet) (Co-Chair)
Dr Wade Naylor (Australian Catholic University)
Prof. Michael Cowling (CQ University)
Helen Thompson (Communication and Engagment Specialist)
Gabrielle van Willigen (Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science, and Innovation)
Dr Alejandra Cau Cattan (Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science, and Innovation)
Annie Xu (Centre for Microbome Research (QUT), Translational Research Institute Australia)
Dr Claire Chakrabarti (AustMine)
Dr Anita Milroy (Inspiring Australia Queensland)