Join Franklin Women

Franklin Women members are individuals who share a desire to have rewarding and impactful careers within the health and medical research ecosystem.

It is the diversity of our community that we value the most, with Franklin Women members representing many different organisations, roles, career stages, and disciplines. So, whether you are a PhD student or a health executive, a lab-based scientist or a science communicator, a public health practitioner or an engineer, the Franklin Women community is for you.

We strive to create a safe space for everyone and welcome people of any gender to join our community. If you would like to be involved in conversations that centre the experiences of women* in our sector, or want to support and be part of driving our mission, we welcome you.

By becoming a member of Franklin Women, you not only gain access to a range of member benefits but also make a collective investment in the women of our sector by supporting our social enterprise.

*’Woman’ is defined as anyone who identifies as a woman, including cisgender (gender identity corresponds with sex assigned at birth) and transgender (gender identity does not correspond with sex assigned at birth) women

Pssst, if you work or study at one of our Partner Organisations, you can access a 25% discount off the membership prices above. Just ask your organisation for the coupon code!

This is an ongoing membership that will auto-renew every 12 months. You can view your next payment date and edit your auto-renew options in My Account.

Benefits of membership

Subsidised tickets to all Franklin Women events

Connect with like-minded women and learn new skills at one of our upcoming events.

Access to members-only website content

Resources from our events and activities are available on our website for members.

Eligibility to apply for Franklin Women initiatives

We are proud to offer our members a carer’s travel scholarship and a sponsored place in our cross-organisational mentoring program for our members.

Access to exclusive Member Connect events

Intimate opportunity to connect with other Franklin Women members while also gaining sector insights, trends, and connections.

Receive our monthly newsletter and career blogs

Stay up to date with what is happening in our sector and be inspired by the stories of your peers navigating their own career journeys.

A good feeling as you are also supporting women in your field

10% of your annual membership fee will go towards our Carer’s Scholarship, an initiative designed to reduce the financial and logistical challenges experienced by primary caregivers in our sector.

Meet our members

Hossai Gul

Hossai Gul

Clinical Implementation, NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation
Doctoral Researcher, Australian Institute of Health Innovation (AIHI), Macquarie University

As an implementation scientist and practitioner, I work with and lead transdisciplinary projects across NSW and Australia to design (redesign), implement and evaluate evidence-based healthcare delivery models, programs, and interventions.

Several years ago, at the ‘All about women festival’ in Sydney I asked a question about connecting with feminism and STEMM. After the event, a lady with big hair (Melina!), chased me down at the steps of the Opera House and gave me a card about a network for women in health research careers – Franklin Women – and I have been a member ever since.

Dr Erica Crome

Dr Erica Crome

Project Director, National Workplace Initiative, National Mental Health Commission

I’m a Clinical Psychologist, leader and researcher with a strong interest in using technology to improve health outcomes.

As someone who is committed to research and impact no matter my role, Franklin Women provides the perfect network to build skills, share stories, learn from each other and meet fabulous women in STEM. It is great to belong to a community that recognises good research lives in so many places beyond university.

Nan Herlihen

Nan Herlihen

Manager, Human Resources – People Operations, Centenary Institute

I’m a generalist Human Resources Professional passionate about people & culture and communications. Coming to work in a positive environment where you can do your best work is the workplace I strive to foster. Apart from my family, music is my next biggest love – there is a genre for every occasion in life.

I joined Franklin Women because they welcomed professionals who supported women in science and they welcomed me even with my deficiencies as a non scientist! What I lack in science knowledge, I like to think I make up for in positive and supportive people skills.

Lifetime Members

Our Life Time Members joined us in June 2020 in response to a call for help we made to the FW community. This initiative raised funds for our COVID Carer’s Support Scholarship allowing us to provide assistance to 16 women working in our sector who were balancing extraordinary career and caring responsibilities during COVID-19. 

Thank you to our Life Time Members for their ongoing support of us and our mission:

Professor Anne Cust 

Dr. Caitlin Keighley 

Professor Caroline Homer 

Dr Carole Ford

Dr Chantelle Ahlenstiel 

Associate Professor Devanshi Seth 

Dr Emily Atkins 

Dr Inken Martin 

Dr Jane Ho 

Professor Judith Trotman 

Professor Julie Leask 

Dr Maryam Correa 

Professor Meera Agar 

Dr Megan Brewer 

Dr Megan Smith

Nanette Herlihen 

Dr Sarah Masso

Dr Tanya Ward 

Dr Teresa Wozniak 

Associate Professor Wilhelmina (Willa) Huston 

Sign up to receive our newsletter and updates

Our monthly e-newsletter keeps you up to date on the news from our sector, shares stories by women on their career journey, and provides updates on our events and initiatives. You will also find bits and pieces on our favourite things – good food, health and wellbeing, and maybe a few cute animals.

Thanks for subscribing to the Franklin Women Newsletter!

Sign up to receive our newsletter and updates

Our monthly e-newsletter keeps you up to date on the news from our sector, shares stories by women on their career journey, and provides updates on our events and initiatives. You will also find bits and pieces on our favourite things – good food, health and wellbeing, and maybe a few cute animals.

Thanks for subscribing to the Franklin Women Newsletter