A force for change in STEM

Aurora Women in STEM Scholarship

Growing up, Ellie Dodsworth was obsessed with books and movies on physicists who worked at NASA. Now with the support of a scholarship she’s forging her own path to a career in the male-dominated field of physics.

Ellie is one of only three females in the physics topic of her Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Enhanced Program for High Achievers) at Flinders University.

It’s a poor statistic and one that Professor of Physics at Flinders, Maria Parappilly OAM wants to change.

To encourage greater participation of women in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), particularly physics, Professor Parappilly donated $10,000 to create the annual Aurora Women in STEM Scholarship.

Based on their high school ATAR score, the scholarship rewards a high achieving female student studying a physics topic in the first year of a science degree at Flinders.

While she is thriving in her physics and maths studies, Ellie feels the pressure of being one of the few females in her degree. She says, “I’ve found it very isolating at times and hard to raise my own opinions without the fear that I will be judged by those around me.”

Ellie Dodsworth

Last year, in recognition of her outstanding ATAR results, Ellie was awarded the $1,000 Aurora Women in STEM Scholarship.

“This scholarship has offered me validation that I’m on the right path and has empowered me in my study of physics.”

Later this year Ellie is hoping to go on a student exchange to the University of East Anglia – one of the top environmental science universities in the UK. She says the scholarship will help her get there.

“Thank you for the scholarship, it really has made a difference to me and I hope it continues to help others,” says Ellie who is keen to inspire more women to study STEM.

“One of my career aims is to find a role, such as a high school teacher or researcher, where I can inspire and encourage more girls to study science.”

You can encourage more women like Ellie to take up a career in STEM by donating to the Aurora Women in STEM Scholarship.

Donate today

100% of your donation will support high achieving female students studying STEM, with a focus on physics.

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