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Museums Victoria and Swinburne University of Technology announce learning partnership
Swinburne will collaborate with Museums Victoria to bring to life programs that engage students in STEM principles and design thinking.
On International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Museums Victoria and Swinburne University of Technology have announced a landmark three-year partnership designed to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders. Launched by two prominent women in science,Dr Heather Handley and Professor Virginia Kilborn, the collaboration underscores a shared commitment to equity, inclusion and empowering young women and girls to see themselves as future innovators, problem-solvers and changemakers.
The partnership appoints Swinburne as Museums Victoria’s exclusive learning partner across a suite of flagship exhibitions, festivals and education programs, bringing together two of Victoria’s most influential institutions in education, research and public engagement.
The announcement on a day dedicated globally to women and girls in science highlights the leadership of two prominent STEM figures.
Dr Handley, a volcanologist who studies the chemistry of volcanic rocks to better understand and reduce volcanic risk, is internationally recognised for her leadership in geoscience communication and her advocacy for equity, diversity and inclusion in STEM. She has spoken about how a childhood fascination with rocks and a desire to understand how the Earth works sparked her journey into science, a curiosity she now hopes to ignite in others.
Professor Kilborn is a renowned radio astronomer and the first Chief Scientist appointed at an Australian university. She provides leadership in science within and beyond Swinburne, helping drive scientific policy and relationships with government, industry and schools. Reflecting on her own path, Professor Kilborn has said that curiosity and a love of learning from a young age paved the way for her career in STEM, underscoring the importance of visible role models for young women and girls considering similar fields.
Throughout the partnership, Swinburne will collaborate with Museums Victoria to bring to life programs that engage students in STEM principles and design thinking. This includes major initiatives such as Top Designs at Melbourne Museum and the Science is a Superpower Festival at Science works, creating opportunities for young people to explore real-world applications of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
With more than three million admissions across its sites each year, Museums Victoria is the most visited museum organisation in Australia and New Zealand. Since founding the Museums Victoria Research Institute in 2022, the organisation has expanded its multidisciplinary research program to promote knowledge that reshapes how the world is understood and informs future action.
At a time when Victoria faces growing demand for science and technology skills, the collaboration aims to create richer, more inclusive STEM experiences that encourage play, exploration and discovery and help young people see themselves as future innovators, engineers and problem-solvers.
“Curiosity and a love of learning from a young age really paved the way for my career in STEM. It’s so important for young people, especially young women and girls, to be able to engage with science and technology and see how they can forge their own path in these exciting and important fields.”
Professor Virginia Kilborn, Chief Scientist - Swinburne University of Technology
"STEM is for everyone. By continuing to make it accessible and inclusive, we spark curiosity, nurture problem-solving skills, and demonstrate how exploration and discovery prepares us to address the challenges facing our communities."
Dr Heather Handley, Senior Curator of Geosciences - Museums Victoria Research Institute
Source: Museums Victoria and Swinburne University of Technology
