FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What prizes are available?

    The 2022 Queensland Women in STEM Prize offers cash prizes:

    • Judges' Award - $5,000
    • Breaking Barriers Award - $5,000
    • Highly Commended Award(s) - at the discretion of the judging panel.

  • What are the key dates?

    (Times listed are AEST)

    • Submissions open 11 February 2022
    • Submissions close 4pm AEST, 14 April 2022 (extended from 1 April 2022)
    • Award Ceremony for finalists July 2022

  • What are the categories?

    The Queensland Women in STEM Prize includes two categories:

    1. Judges’ Award: open to STEM professionals who identify as a woman
    2. Breaking Barriers Award: open to STEM professionals who identify as a woman and:
      • are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage; and/or
      • have a disability; and/or
      • are a carer.

    Highly Commended Award(s) will be bestowed at the discretion of the judging panel to applicant(s) deemed to have demonstrated enthusiasm, dedication and commitment in their chosen field.

  • Who can apply?

    The 2022 Queensland Women in STEM Prize is open to any person who:

    • identifies as a woman; and
    • works or studies in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) field; and
    • resides and undertakes STEM activities or research in Queensland; and
    • is within the first 12 years of their STEM career.

    This may include professionals, scientists, researchers, educators or students from any company, institute, government, university, not-for-profit or educational institution.

  • How do I calculate 12 years in a STEM career?

    The Prize is open to any person within the first 12 years of their STEM career, including work, research-based study (e.g. a PhD) or volunteering.

    This is exclusive of time spent on leave, career breaks, course-based study (e.g. an undergraduate degree), or work in a field unrelated to STEM.

  • Am I eligible for the Breaking Barriers Award?

    To be eligible for the Breaking Barriers Award the entrant must also identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, as having a disability (as defined under the Disability Services Act 2006), or be a carer (as defined under the Carers (Recognition) Act 2008).

  • What can I spend my prize money on?

    Prize money must be spent on professional development – this could be a conference, research field trip, internship, purchasing new software etc. Winners are required to acquit their prize within 12-months.

  • Can I apply as part of a team?

    Applications must be submitted by an individual. Teams are ineligible to apply. Entrants working as part of a team are encouraged to apply as an individual by focusing their application on their contribution to the team project.

  • I entered last year, can I enter again?

    Previous winners of the Queensland Women in STEM Prize are ineligible. If you have entered a previous Queensland Women in STEM Prize, but did not receive an Award, you are welcome (and encouraged!) to enter again.

  • How do I create a video?

    Try contacting your organisation's media and communications department who may be able to help in producing and creating your video. Or you can do it yourself by following some of the tips below.  You could also review some of the past winners' videos for inspiration.

  • Tips for filming videos

    Here are a few tips for filming your video. Remember, the judges will be assessing your content and your ability to articulate your work in STEM, not your video production skills.

    • Use simple, clear, plain English and avoid jargon and acronyms.
    • Have only a few key messages in mind which you would like to get across in your video.
    • Try to ‘pitch’ your idea in your first sentence. Explain the problem you’re trying to solve, or the ‘why we should care’ aspect of your research, similar to how TEDx or 3 Minute Thesis talks are scripted.
    • Standing outdoors or in front of a window on a sunny day will give you great natural lighting.
    • Make sure you film video horizontally, not vertically.
    • Use a tripod or ensure your assistant holds the phone in both hands. For even better stability get your assistant to lean against a wall or pillar.
    • If anyone else is going to appear in your video, make sure you have permission to film them.
    • You can save your film in MP4, MOV or AVI file format.
    • You may need to borrow a microphone if the camera or phone microphone is low quality. You could use a lapel microphone (pinned on to your collar), or a directional microphone (placed next to or above the camera, pointed at you).
    • Use a video editing program such as VideoPad for PC, Apple iMovie for macOS and iOS, HitFilm Express 12 for PC and macOS, and InShot or FiLMiC Pro for iOS and Android.
    • When creating your final video, you can insert visual aids (video/still images) of your work place, specimen, locations etc. to help the audience visualise your work and what you do.
    • Add captions for accessibility, if possible.

  • Uploading your video

    Embedding your video is the only way to present your video. You must upload your video to another site like Youtube, Vimeo or Google Drive first - then follow their instructions to copy the embedding code into the application when it asks you. Links to the help guides to help you find the right code to embed are below:

  • Who are the judges?

    The Awards will be determined by a panel of judges, including representatives from:

    • Queensland Museum Network
    • Office of the Queensland Chief Scientist
    • Office for Women and Violence Prevention
    • Queensland science community