The leadership of sectors concerned with Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM) needs more women. Despite decades of effort, the numbers in Australia are stubbornly low due to the many barriers women face – cultural and structural – to participation, retention and progression in scientific and technical fields.

The Homeward Bound initiative (https://homewardboundprojects.com.au/) is an excellent opportunity for early career women in STEMM to build leadership skills and a global network of high-achieving peers to help navigate the challenges ahead. The cost of joining this remarkable program is a major barrier to many, so the Royal Society of Victoria is raising funds to help women selected from Victoria, Australia to participate.