Benita Russell - Bass Coast Shire Council

Coordinator Waste Services. BA Applied Science, Master Business Administration.

When and why did you get interested in STEM?

I first became interested in STEM when studying environmental science, biology and chemistry in high school. During that time, I volunteered with several local Landcare and environmental groups, including the Australian Conservation Volunteers, attending restoration and revegetation days in my regional area. At university I started learning about the impacts of climate change on our environment and how we need to change the way we exist to ensure future generations have a liveable planet. Growing up in the Latrobe Valley, surrounded by open cut coal mines and some of the largest and dirtiest power stations in Australia, was a large driver in my decision to work in environmental protection and the science fields.

In my career I have worked as an Environmental Protection Officer for EPA Victoria, within the water industry looking after wastewater discharges and water management. In 2019, I took on the role as the Climate Change Advisor at Council, developing the Climate Change Action Plan with community, businesses and Council in response to our declaration of a climate emergency.
Just recently I have stepped into the role of Coordinator Waste Services, delivering waste services to ensure we effectively manage the waste generated by our community to protect their health and the environment, and ensure we are diverting as much waste as possible from ending up in our landfill.

What do you love about your job?

I love working with teams, communities, and peer councils to come up with innovative and new solutions to waste management, particularly as we start to reshape the way we manage waste in a new circular economy. A circular economy will reduce the amount of waste generated by our community, cut pollution, and increase the amount of recycling in our waste cycle.
I also love working and living in Bass Coast. Our community is passionate about protecting our wonderful environment, so it is rewarding to know my role contributes to keeping our home beautiful.

Do you think it is important for more women to work in STEM?

I think it is important to have women from various backgrounds in all areas of our community, including in roles of leadership, politics, and volunteer organisations. This bring different perspectives to issues and new solutions or ways of thinking, leading to better outcomes. STEM fields are no different: including women of colour, First Nations women, people with disabilities as well as other intersections of society in these fields is necessary to grapple with the significant challenges facing our world.

What is one thing government/schools/organisations could do to increase the number of women working in STEM?

Women make up only 16 per cent of the workforce in STEM in 2022. Increasing diversity and inclusion in the STEM field is critical to tap into the talents, backgrounds and perspectives to maximise science innovation and creativity. The biggest barrier to women in STEM is the broader societal and systemic issue of gender equality, with disparities in domestic workloads, the gender pay gap, child rearing responsibilities and interruptions to careers compared to men. A lot can be done to further gender equality. An example is the fantastic initiatives introduced at Bass Coast, including offering the same parental leave to all new parents, increasing paid parental leave and super contributions continuing during unpaid 12-month parental leave. 

Name a woman who inspires you, who has worked, or is working in the STEM field – and why do you admire her?

From a historical perspective I can’t go past Eunice Newton Foote (1819-1888), an American Scientist who was the first scientist to conclude that gases in the atmosphere warmed by sunlight and rising carbon dioxide would change the global temperature. She was also a women’s rights activist. In the modern era I follow Anita Molesworth, an author, scientist and farmer in Broken Hill and co-founder of Farmers for Climate Action. Anita’s work focuses on climate change and the food system.

This year’s IWD theme is around innovation and new technology – what is one prediction you have for future technology and how it will impact our lives?

I think decarbonising transport will see dramatic changes in the way we move around our region and cities as well as the electrification of homes with decentralised renewable energy powering our homes and workplaces.

What advice would you give to your 12-year-old self in terms of pursuing a career in technology and science?

Do it! It will lead you in lots of different directions that you never imagined and you will feel part of something bigger; contributing to improving both lives and the world we live in.