Our Impact

See how the Women’s Research Engineers Network has grown international collaboration between women research engineers and strengthened support for women in academia. This timeline highlights the milestones and initiatives that have shaped our progress and influence.

2020

December 2020

Australia–Brazil Engineering Women Researchers Network (WREN) Launched Through COALAR Partnership
The Women Researchers Engineers’ Network (WREN) was officially launched through a collaboration between The University of Wollongong (Australia) and the University of São Paulo (Brazil), supported by a COALAR grant. The initiative was established to strengthen research and teaching collaboration between women engineers and researchers across Australia and Brazil, facilitate knowledge exchange, and support post-COVID-19 economic recovery through innovation and international partnerships. The project delivered a series of online meetings, networking opportunities, and collaborative events, fostering long-term connections between researchers in both countries and laying the foundation for the ongoing growth of WREN. The project commenced on 26 April 2021 and concluded on 30 September 2021.

2021

December 2021

Career Development and Progression: Creating Your Roadmap to Career Success
WREN hosted its fifth international event, Career Development and Progression: Creating Your Roadmap to Career Success, bringing together researchers, academics, and industry professionals from Australia and Brazil. The event focused on career planning, professional growth, leadership development, and strategies for navigating successful career pathways in research, academia, and engineering. It provided participants with practical insights, networking opportunities, and guidance to support their long-term career progression.

2022

August 2022

Received the UOW Vice-Chancellor’s EDI-Transformation Fund

2024

December 2024

Received TMIA – AAS fund
The Australian Academy of Science congratulates the grant recipients of the Theo Murphy Initiative (Australia) (TMIA) grant funding for the 2024–25 round.

2025

May 2025

3rd WREN annual symposium
The Women’s Research Engineers Network (WREN) proudly presented the WREN Symposium 2025, taking place online on May 20-21, 2025. This free, international, and multidisciplinary event brang together researchers, practitioners, and students to share knowledge, foster collaboration, and contribute to the global efforts towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).