Publishers and content company Refraction Media have been named by the Australian Science and Innovation Forum and the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering as one of 2015’s Innovators of Influence.
The Australian Science and Innovation Forum and the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering have announced today that Refraction Media have been included as part of the 2015 Innovators of Influence list. The list was selected on Wednesday 2 December by a panel of ATSE Fellows and former Clunies Ross awardees.
Congratulations to the 2015 Innovators of Influence:
Dr Peter French – Peter developed a single shot cure for hepatitis C called TT-034. This is the first time gene therapy has been used to treat viral disease.
Dr Catherine Robinson – Cathy has developed an innovative program for biosecurity stakeholder engagement strategies which assesses the risk and social impact of biosecurity decisions.
Heather Catchpole and team members at Careers with Code – Heather and her team Careers with Code have pioneered a national initiative to assist high school students develop skills in the area of digital technologies in order to forge the careers of the future. Their program is supported by Google.
Dr Catherine Ball – Cathy is developing world class long-range drone technology for environmental and engineering projects. Her technologies have been used in the oil and gas industry, as well as to protect wildlife.
Professor Tony Weiss – Tony has developed an advanced pipeline of products based on elastin with applications in a number of areas including skin rejuvenation, scar remodelling, skin tissue repair and wound healing, and surgical glues / sealants.
Professor Maree Smith – Maree developed the first orally active analgesic in more than two decades for neuropathic pain.
Guest speakers for this inspiring new initiative were Dr Alan Finkel AM FTSE, President of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, and Associate Professor Jan Tennent, Chief Executive Officer Biomedical Research Victoria.
Specialists in science, technologist, engineering and maths (STEM), Refraction Media produce magazines, websites, animations and e-learning tools that drive a narrative of innovation, adaptability and future change.
Co-founder and Creative Director Heather Catchpole accepted the award from incoming Chief Scientist Alan Finkel at a presentation in Federation Square in Melbourne today.
The ASIF offered their congratulation to Refraction Media, who partner with Google Australia to produce Careers with Code, an information hub and magazine aimed at encouraging Australian high school students to combine computer science skills with their passion or ‘X’ factor.
“This new award seeks to recognise individuals and teams who are in the process of putting novel scientific, technological or engineering ideas and research to use. Through this award, we hope to bring recognition to the great work you are undertaking at the stage when you need it – when growing and scaling your innovation,” said the ASIF.
“We also hope to highlight the diversity and possibilities of innovation that is being undertaken by a growing community of science and technology innovators and entrepreneurs in Australia.”
Co-founder and Creative Director Heather Catchpole says: “This is a significant recognition of the role that science, engineering, technology and maths plays in inspiring a generation of people with the skills to innovate and problem-solve in their careers, and to move quickly across disciplines.”
“Today’s students will work in careers that don’t exist yet, and use technology that isn’t around today. They will need the business skills, entrepreneurship and knowhow to help Australia to thrive in a competitive global marketplace while facing the challenges of massive population growth, rapid industrialisation and climate change.
“We need people who have the skills and knowledge to adapt to significant global change. In Careers with Code, we’re emphasising STEM skills and the narratives of ‘CS + X’ – combining computer science skills with your passion – to address declining enrolments in ICT in Australian universities and to showcase the exciting career paths available through STEM.”
In 2015, Refraction Media distributed 175,000 copies of Careers with Code – 50 to every high school in Australia.
“In 2015 the level of enrolments is 82% less than it was in 2000,” says Catchpole.
“Particularly concerning is the low levels of females in engineering and ICT, both major employers in Australia. In fact ICT is one of the fastest growing employment areas, but just one in five ICT workers today are women,” she says.
“More than pure coding and tech support, computer science gives us insights into how we live today and helps define how we will live in future. It’s a dynamic, all-pervasive field that sees multi-disciplinary professionals at the forefront of invention, discovery and innovation,” says Catchpole.
Refraction Media was recently awarded Best Small Publisher in Australia by Publish Australia, beating a competitive platform of sports, lifestyle and fashion titles.
Interviews
Co-founder and Creative Director
Heather Catchpole
0401068975
heather@refractionmedia.com.au
Co-founder and Executive Publisher
Karen Taylor
0414218575
More info about Refraction Media:
Refraction was founded in 2013 by Karen Taylor-Brown and Heather Catchpole as a publishing and content creation company specialising in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). Their vision is to inspire a smarter future where we take responsibility for our place on the planet, celebrate creativity and knowhow, and the value of STEM to create better health, wealth and economy.
In 2014 Refraction partnered with Google Australia on Careers with Code, a print, electronic and mobile magazine that emphasises skills, adaptability and entrepreneurship in partnership with STEM: science, technology, engineering and maths.
The narrative of Careers with Code stems from CS + X – where X represents your passion. Careers with Code investigates the role of CS in areas such as marine archaeology, robotics, intelligence, medical technology and research, business analysis, user experience research, app development, space mining, music, art, big data, policy, social health and more.