Prof Louise Purton Profile picture
Passionate about DEI & research in blood cells/microenvironment/cancer. Mum. 2 cochlear implants. My personal acct, my views. She/her @louisepurton.bsky.social
Feb 10, 2022 6 tweets 4 min read
Today is @UN International Day of Women and Girls in Science. In 2022 it’s time to shift the focus from recruitment (which is not the main issue) to retention (which is an ongoing problem). This is the current situation in Australia👇🏻, lack of funding of women the biggest cause. This shows the notorious scissors graph for women and men in In 2022 it’s time for change & time for a commitment from funding agencies & workplaces to prevent women from leaving academia (or from being stalled in their career, working for others). We are losing too many #WomeninSTEMM who are fantastic role models, leaders and mentors.
Dec 16, 2021 21 tweets 8 min read
Today the Equity in Australian STEMM team sent @nhmrc @ceo_nhmrc & members of NHMRC council our position paper re gendered outcomes in NHMRC funding. We focused our analyses on the 1st 3 yrs of the new scheme, comparing outcomes for Investigator, Ideas & Synergy Grants. 🧵1/20 First, let’s recap the issue. For decades recruitment of women into most Australian STEMM disciplines has not been an issue. More women are in STEMM than men at the PhD & postdoc level👇🏻. Then there’s a sharp drop from lab head level & few women Professors compared to men. 2/20 This graph shows the % of women and men in Australian STEMM
Sep 23, 2021 10 tweets 3 min read
Analysis of the results of the 1st three yrs of NHMRC Investigator Grants has revealed that gender equity is not being addressed adequately. Analysis of the $ funded per person has revealed L1 basic women received ~ $500K less than men. These are lab heads 10-15 yrs post-PhD. 1/5 This graph shows the amount... Yesterday I asked Twitter researchers what it would mean for your research if you received $500K extra in funding over 5 yrs. The responses were largely from researchers of the level that this fellowship targets. You can read the responses here👇🏻

2/5 https://t.co/68JlFgAwcp
Sep 14, 2021 6 tweets 3 min read
NHMRC Investigator Grant outcomes were announced today. Congratulations to those successful, commiserations to those who were not. Total $ awarded here👇🏻 This 🧵 shows the breakdown of gender & disciplines in ea of the 5 fellowship levels (no data provided for non-binary) 1/6. This shows the total amount of funding awarded in the NHMRC These are the results for EL1. Most recipients were academic level A/B/C. One clinical male was level D as was one health services research woman. 2/6. This shows the outcomes for the earliest fellowship category
Mar 25, 2020 15 tweets 3 min read
Advice for junior lab heads on how to maintain productivity for future yrs (thanks @FZMarques for the thread suggestion, everyone pls add on any tips you think of that I overlook!). Thread 1/15 1st, congrats on becoming a lab head! You may have only just started your own lab or have had a lab for a while now but it is a steep learning curve irrespective & having support (mentorship, sponsorship) will make it easier to navigate. Seek this out. 2/15
Mar 22, 2020 10 tweets 3 min read
In the current climate I thought I would tweet more advice for researchers (esp #EMCRs) who may be stressed about the current situation & what #workingfromhome might mean for their productivity. I have already tweeted on critiquing a paper. This is for those who have data. 1/10 With no wet lab expts possible during lockdown, go thru your data thoroughly. Catch up on analysis if you are behind (a common scenario!). If you need specialised licensed software many of these have opened up public access due to #COVID19 so you can access from home. 2/10
Mar 21, 2020 16 tweets 4 min read
Time for a thread, this is for #ECRchat #AcademicChatter tips for new graduate students/post-docs in the current #COVID19 climate, esp those #workingfromhome. First, stay calm. We are all in this together, we will get through this. Priorities are to be safe, happy & healthy. 1/16 There are many things you can do from home (note- you will need a device & internet access for the majority, if you don’t then access printed copies of publications). This is for grad students/post-docs starting in a new field but may be useful for all. First, read papers. 2/16
Jan 13, 2020 18 tweets 4 min read
It’s my 2nd week back at work in 2020. This is my 1st thread for the yr and is on collaborations. It’s not restricted to scientists, hopefully it is useful to many. Feel free to add anything I miss when finished. 1/n 2/n Definition of collaboration: “the action of working with someone to produce something.” Collaborations are not just about working together to help produce, eg data for a paper, etc, they include ppl helping with grant proposals and other initiatives.