Zia Westerman felt discouraged from studying science due to a lack of flexibility around her disability, but these trailblazers are determined to make this male-dominated field more inclusive for the next generation.
Zia Westerman was interested in studying geoscience but a lack of flexibility around field trips caused her to do an arts degree instead.There has been a lack of inclusion in science-related professions"I've always had an interest to study that topic. I tried searching for local universities, so I could study on campus," she said.
Ms Westerman, who has muscular dystrophy and uses a wheelchair, was unable to find anything in Australia that was able to cater to her needs. In 2022, people with disabilities made up just 6.3 per cent of university enrolments in Australia, and only 1.2 per cent had a profound disability. Of those, only a handful studied science.Geologist and lecturer Melanie Finch believes the lack of inclusion in geoscience is an attitude problem rather than a lack of opportunities for disabled academics.
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