Sally Hurst reflects on her time as a Superstar of STEM
Sally Hurst is a Casual Education Presenter at the Australian Musuem. She is also a palaeontologist, researcher, science communicator, and recent graduate of the Superstars of STEM program. In this blog, she shares what she has learned through the program and explains why it is so important for rural kids to have role models in STEM to look up to.
“I always wanted to be a palaeontologist when I was little!”
“So, why didn’t you become one?”
This is a conversation I often have with people when I tell them I am a palaeontologist - yes, I do get to dig up dinosaurs and research fossils as part of my job! I’m often the first palaeontologist people have ever met, and this may contribute to why so many people who loved dinosaurs as children never pursued palaeontology as a career.
Palaeontologist, Sally Hurst, helping to excavate a dinosaur skeleton in Dinosaur Provincial Park, Canada.
Image: Supplied© Supplied
Whether your passion was for dinosaurs, space, engineering, or a different field of science, it’s hard to be what you can’t see.
The Superstars of STEM program is trying to change this.
Run by Science and Technology Australia, this program selects 60 female and non-binary scientists from around Australia to create a cohort of role models to inspire the next generation of scientists.
In 2022, I was chosen as one of the Superstars of STEM. Coming from a small country town, I had never met a real scientist until I moved to Sydney and started university. Being part of this program was special, because it helped me change that for others.
At the end of November 2024, our two-year tenure ended with a gathering of Superstars in Melbourne for a celebration of all that we have achieved.
The Superstars of STEM cohort for 2023/24 at their Melbourne graduation.
Image: Supplied© Supplied
So, how is the program helping to elevate our visibility as scientists and inspire others?
The 60 scientists within our Superstars cohort ranged from experts in industry and experienced science communicators, to professors and pioneers in science across a huge range of fields. The support and wisdom available within this group has been a major highlight, with our massive group chat being the best source to find an expert comment on every question from “what is this bug I found in my backyard?” to “how can I improve this grant proposal to fund my next dinosaur dig?”
Sally Hurst, ecologist Dr. Eliza Middleton and entomologist Dr. Caitlyn Forster at the Superstars of STEM graduation in Melbourne.
Image: Supplied© Supplied
Increasing visibility
A major part of this program was to provide the Superstars with media training, teaching us how to pitch our research and science to every kind of audience - from politicians, to kindergarteners, and everyone in between.
This ability to change our content to suit every occasion has meant that during the program I’ve been booked for everything from conference keynotes to gigs at Sydney Comedy Festival. Using the skills from this program to share my research from the Found a Fossil Project, I was able to work with the ABC Science team to talk about what to do if you find a fossil.
Sally Hurst's Sydney Comedy Festival gig about fantastic fossil finds.
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Mentoring with whale scientist, Dr Vanessa Pirotta
Whale science and palaeontology are both male dominated and involve navigating research and imposter syndrome while trying to balance many different commitments. Having the incredible Dr Vanessa Pirotta by my side to provide insights into these tricky parts of the job has shown me that the need for role models doesn’t stop after we finish school, and having continued support in science can make all the difference in creating a sustainable and fun career.
Palaeontologist Sally Hurst and whale scientist Dr Vanessa Pirotta.
Image: Supplied© Supplied
Connecting with students
One of the challenges we are set within the Superstars of STEM program is to go and speak to at least five high schools, preferably from rural areas, to give students exposure to STEM careers and show a pathway that they could one day follow. Working in both the Australian Museum’s Education team, and with the Future Students team at Macquarie University, I had many opportunities to connect with students and talk about my journey. However, I still wanted to connect with rural students, who couldn’t make it to the city or a museum.
It was through the Superstars of STEM program that I had the confidence to build my own outreach and public speaking business. I would go to the schools if they couldn’t come to me.
Sally Hurst talking about fossils and dinosaurs during a regional roadshow with Macquarie University’s Widening Participation team and the Girls to Graduates program to encourage participation in STEM.
Image: Supplied© Supplied
Throughout 2023 and 2024, across all my workplace and school interactions, both online and in-person, I’ve been able to speak to 4482 students (and counting!) from 306 different schools, across 9 different countries.
Even though my time in the program has drawn to a close, the collaborations, networks and support that Superstars in STEM has provided will continue into the future. For me, to become the role model in STEM that I never had growing up is one my proudest achievements. The next Superstars of STEM cohort has now been announced. You can't be what you can't see, so make sure you check them out!
