Day 6: Women, Wessel and weird stuff
By Greta Creed
Of the projects outlined so far in the Educator on Board blogs, the Principal Investigators have been male. But this voyage is certainly not male-dominated. There are a number of female scientists on board. Three of these female scientists are employed by separate Commonwealth organisations, and each has great interest in one particular voyage project.
Dr Rachel Przeslawski, Geoscience Australia. Photo: Louise Fava
Dr Rachel Przeslawski was, until recently, Senior Marine Ecologist with Geoscience Australia butnow holds the position of Director – Discovery and Engagement. Her particular passion is ‘weird organisms in extreme environments’. Rachel is the Principal Scientist for the next project when we arrive in waters off the Northern Territory – Environmental Baselines for Wessel Marine Park. Earlier research has indicated some very interesting seascape features. She is therefore very keen to discover more about both the seascapes and the habitats of the park, of which very little is currently known.
Louise Fava, Parks Australia. Photo: Greta Creed
Louise Fava is Marine Parks Officer with Parks Australia. She has a Bachelor of Science (Zoology/Geography) and a Graduate Diploma in Environmental Studies, but she has moved into the management sphere. One of the parks under her umbrella is Wessel Marine Park. It has been very clear that Lou has a great love of science. Her strong commitment to fostering meaningful active partnerships in the parks she helps manage is also very apparent.
Mibu Fischer, CSIRO. Photo: CSIRO
Mibu Fischer, is a Quandamooka woman from North Stradbroke Island, and a CSIRO Marine Ecologist. Mibu is on board this voyage to assist in liaising with Indigenous visitors to the ship during the Darwin Open Day, and in consolidating on-board preparation for the Indigenous Time at Sea Scholarship (ITSS). ITSS offers Indigenous university students the opportunity to join research voyages on RV Investigator, with its inaugural voyage from Darwin to Fremantle in December. Mibu has been assisting with a number of projects and is very keen to also learn more about what lies beneath the surface of Wessel Marine Park.
Polydontes worm – just one weird marine organism. Photo: Chris Glasby
These three scientists did not know each other before coming on board the ship. For me, observing these three women share knowledge and understandings with each other (and me) has been amazing. To see them begin to enthusiastically plan future research partnerships to further the scientific, cultural and other outcomes for marine parks in Australia has also been incredible. I can’t wait to see what comes of these partnerships.
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