S3E12: Making Women's Health Political with Former Minister of Science Dr. Kirsty Duncan
Wed Dec 17 2025
The Honourable Dr. Kirsty Duncan, former Minister of Science, geographer, and author of The Exclusion Effect: Why Women Are Underrepresented in Science, and How to Fix It, joins us on this episode to discuss the systemic barriers facing women in science and why equity in research matters for everyone. She explains how policy decisions shape scientific progress, why women’s health and women’s leadership remain chronically undervalued, and what it takes to build a research system that truly includes diverse voices. Dr. Duncan also talks about her own experiences navigating sexism in academia and politics, and offers practical advice for how researchers can influence policy and drive meaningful change. Host: Dr. Liisa Galea
Editor: Dr. Andrew McGovern
Producer: Dr. Andrew McGovern
Music by Dr. Andrew McGovern
New episodes of Women’s Health Interrupted will be available every
Wednesday. Please rate, review, and subscribe to our podcast wherever
you find your podcasts. Learn more about the Women's Health Research
Cluster on their website: https://womenshealthresearchcluster.com/
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The Honourable Dr. Kirsty Duncan, former Minister of Science, geographer, and author of The Exclusion Effect: Why Women Are Underrepresented in Science, and How to Fix It, joins us on this episode to discuss the systemic barriers facing women in science and why equity in research matters for everyone. She explains how policy decisions shape scientific progress, why women’s health and women’s leadership remain chronically undervalued, and what it takes to build a research system that truly includes diverse voices. Dr. Duncan also talks about her own experiences navigating sexism in academia and politics, and offers practical advice for how researchers can influence policy and drive meaningful change. Host: Dr. Liisa Galea Editor: Dr. Andrew McGovern Producer: Dr. Andrew McGovern Music by Dr. Andrew McGovern New episodes of Women’s Health Interrupted will be available every Wednesday. Please rate, review, and subscribe to our podcast wherever you find your podcasts. Learn more about the Women's Health Research Cluster on their website: https://womenshealthresearchcluster.com/