‘Talent is universal, but opportunity is not’: Amgen and University of Melbourne leaders in National Science Week

Medical & Science: Coinciding with National Science Week (10-18 August), Scott Heimlich, President of the Amgen Foundation, and Julia Cleghorn, Manager of STEM Outreach Programs at the University of Melbourne, joined Health Industry Hub to discuss the pressing need for diversity in STEM in fostering the next generation of scientists and researchers.

The conversation turned to the Amgen Scholars Program, a flagship initiative with over 5,300 undergraduate participants and an investment of more than $80 million since the program began in 2007. Heimlich explained that the program was developed to address critical gaps in the STEM pipeline.

The University of Melbourne stands out as the only Australian institution offering this program. Cleghorn attributed this distinction to the university’s strong research culture, world-class facilities, and its commitment to fostering innovation and critical thinking among students.

However, the interview also touched on the persistent gender disparity in STEM careers. Despite the fact that female students in Year 12 are nearly on par with males in science and math studies, and more than a third of STEM university students are women, only 15% of STEM-qualified careers are held by women – a slow increase from 10% two decades ago.

Cleghorn pointed to a range of societal and structural factors contributing to this disparity.

“You can’t be what you can’t see. There’s also a lack of confidence and a belief that women have a place in the STEM field as well. That’s a real challenge,” she said.

Heimlich noted that some of the issues are reflected globally, underscoring the importance of international efforts to close the gender gap in STEM.

“In the Amgen Scholars program, we’ve had more women than men from the very beginning at a 60:40 split. We believe in the phrase ‘talent is universal opportunity is not’. We want to make sure that everyone regardless of gender, race, nationality and income, has a chance to participate,” he explained.

The recently released Pathway to Diversity in STEM Review report also featured in the discussion. Cleghorn identified several areas with the potential for meaningful reform.

“It is about having a collective shift on why diversity is so important. By not tapping into this huge potential, it’s holding us back from the [health] challenges that we’re trying to solve,” she stated. “Bigger thinking and bigger cultural shifts start from the leadership level.”

Heimlich emphasised the crucial role of industry in shaping these conversations, saying “As a society, we have a lot of challenges we face in medicine and healthcare where we need to mobilise as an overall scientific enterprise to solve things.”

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