KATE Clarke’s children think she’s an inspiration – even though she hasn’t got room for them in her suitcase when she travels to Antarctica next year.
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The Bungaree vet will join 99 other female scientists on a 22-day Antarctic expedition at the culmination of a year-long global Homeward Bound program to boost the influence and impact of women in science around the world.
The programs aims to have a global impact in the immediate and future generations, but it has already had a personal one for Ms Clarke.
“It’s great in terms of being able to be a strong role model for my kids. Particularly for my daughter Sophie, it shows you can access something big from our little corner of Victoria and keep challenging yourself and growing.”
When her selection on the program was confirmed last month, son James, 9, told his mum how proud he was of her going to Antarctica to help fix the world.
“You should believe in yourself more than anyone,” he told his mum with wisdom beyond his years.
“He’s nailed it there, but I also think about the global collaboration and opening up the eyes of girls to what women can do,” Ms Clarke said.
For the next 12 months Ms Clarke will work with female scientists from around the world to build their leadership, communication and scientific skills to help influence global policy and improve the world.
“We are already collaborating with women in our cohort on some smaller project work around understanding our existing leadership and communication styles better,” she said.
She will use the skills she gains to help women in the veterinary industry.
“I’ve been a vet for 20 years and it’s a wonderful and challenging job but I think there is more I can do to help women in our veterinary system and I want to help fix the world, which I think we all want to do.”
“The thing about women in science is there’s a lot of knowledge and understanding … but not always communication and leadership to take that forward.”
Over 10 years the Homeward Bound program aims to empower 1000 female scientists to take on the world and highlight the different pathways science can take.
“Scientist conjures up images of white lab coats but we are also doctors, vets, educators, sustainability experts and so much more,” she said.
Ms Clarke said the visit to Antarctica would give participants stories and influence to help them communicate their personal messages.
“Antarctica represents the fragility of the natural world environment and can provide us personally with a lot of first-hand evidence about what is happening on a global scale.”
