Cécile Godde is a PhD student with CSIRO and the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Science(QAAFI) at The University of Queensland.
Cécile is studying sustainable grazing system intensification and is passionate about creating a healthier planet, but realises gender bias is still an obstacle for women in science. This passion has led Cécile to take part in a once-in-a-life-time experience, the Homeward Bound initiative, which involves an expedition to Antarctica.
It is a very exciting time to be a woman in science.
Opportunities do arise but far too slowly, and prejudices are pervasive. This is a considerable issue as we cannot address our environmental issues without solving gender inequalities.
Research and agriculture is a male-dominated sector, and this sad reality gave me a strong desire to make things change.
I have the incredible opportunity, together with 79 other women from all around the world, to take part in a worldwide and world-class leadership, strategic and science initiative and outreach for women: the Homeward Bound initiative.
Over the next 10 years, the program aims to heighten the influence and impact of 1000 women with a science background in order to influence policy and decision-making as it shapes our planet.
Homeward Bound includes a year of leadership, strategic and communication training, culminating on a three-week voyage to Antarctica!
Why Antarctica? Antarctica is the frame or backdrop for the initiative. Women were widely discouraged from exploring the continent until the mid-20th century, and the United States prohibited American women to work in the region until 1969.
Antarctica is the last true wilderness on the planet, a precious and unique beauty. It is also an extremely fragile natural world, a critical barometer of our planet’s health and of our society’s behaviour and decisions. The ice is melting at very fast rates, so well past the time to act together for a more equitable and sustainable future.
This journey is going to be extremely enriching and intense: 80 women from 13 different countries and from all ages, in a confined environment for three weeks, questioning our society and questioning ourselves. Most of us will be out of our comfort zone. I am really looking forward to this experience and to the lively discussions we will have about how we can collectively make a change for a better world.
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Blog: cecilegodde.wordpress.com
Twitter:@Cecile_Godde
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/cecilegodde
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