Meet the Researcher: Victoria Millar

Victoria Millar wants more girls to see that they belong in science careers. How research aims to identify how we can make this happen.

The gulf between the number of boys and girls who pursue scientific careers refuses to budge in Australia.

According to Australia’s 2022 STEM Equity Monitor, women only make up 36 per cent of enrolments in university STEM courses.

Through her research into the impact of science outreach on students’ perceptions of science, this disparity is something that Associate Professor in Science Education Victoria Millar wants to help change.

The research involves observing and talking to students, teachers and scientists who participate in outreach programs, including the Dark Matter Centre’s program, to try to distil the influence of participating in science outreach on the way students identify with science.

While the study is in its early days after delays due to COVID that prevented research in schools, A/Prof Millar says she has already identified some patterns in the influences that make a student more likely to pursue scientific careers.

An encouraging role model, especially a parent who works or is interested in science, can make a significant difference.

This helps build a sense of belonging that is key to giving students the confidence to pursue scientific pathways.

A/Prof Millar, whose father was a scientist, believes that she has been particularly fortunate to have felt a career in science was an option for her since she was a child.

“We can see that students need to feel that they belong and can relate to science as a subject and that is incredibly important,” she said.

“This is particularly the case for girls and other underrepresented groups – if they don’t see themselves belonging, even if they are good at science – it influences their likelihood of pursuing it is a career.”

In her research, A/Prof Millar aims to explore the impact of outreach sessions on students who might not have access to science role models in their daily lives, and has watched Dark Matter Centre Outreach and Education Coordinator Jackie Bondell present to secondary school students.

She is also asking scientists involved in these outreach activities about their experiences, what they gained, and what they believe are the benefits for students.

“It’s not clear what the influences are going to be and it can be tricky to pull it all apart to find out what makes a difference.”

One thing that A/Prof Millar strongly believes contributes to the continued gendered difference in interest in science careers is the ingrained attitude of parents and teachers.

Long-standing perceptions of physics are also hard to overcome.

“It is partly the reputation of the subject as being very difficult and only for an elite group of students.

“Many students opt out because they don’t think they fit into a certain mould, which is problematic.

“There is also an unconscious bias from parents and teachers when they are presenting opportunities for students.”

A/Prof Millar is pleased that she had opportunities to create her own, winding career path.

After starting a PhD in physics, she realised that her passion lay in education and she became a physics teacher, more recently branching into education research. Her three strands of interest - in science, education and research – come together in her current research project.

“I always felt that my interests in science were incredibly nurtured, and that’s hugely thanks to my parents. I always knew what I wanted to do.”

While not all students are fortunate enough to have STEM role models in their own home, A/Prof Millar believes school outreach can play a part in helping students understand they belong in a science classroom or career.

“Sometimes it’s not the content but the casual interactions students are having with scientists presenting these activities.

“There needs to be a personal side, so that students don’t just leave thinking, ‘That was a fun activity’”.

Improving the balance and diversity of STEM fields is a passion for A/Prof Millar as she knows that the benefits extend far beyond the students themselves.

“We know that all professions are better off when different genders are involved, but also different backgrounds and cultures.”