Alumni and Supporters

Friday, 05 March 2021

Associate Professor Dr Rachel Sheffield has a passion for both science and teaching. Born in the UK, Rachel moved to Perth at the age of 13.

After completing a Science degree, Rachel came to ECU to become a teacher and ended up completing an undergraduate, master's and PhD at the University.

In 2015, she co-founded STEMinist, an organisation committed to promoting the teaching of science education with a particular focus to increase the number of women in STEM fields.

Rachel has ignited the imaginations of many women interested in becoming doctors, engineers and lifesaving researchers.

In 2020, Rachel's contribution was acknowledged with induction into the WA Women's Hall of Fame.

Continued from Alumni News...

Where are you from?

I am from the UK and came out to Australia when I was 13 years old and finished my schooling at Presbyterian Ladies College (PLC).

What made you choose ECU and your particular course/study area?

ECU was the place to learn to teach with practical courses and ECU Education was near where I lived in Nedlands.

What is your fondest memory of ECU? 

My fondest memory of ECU was working in schools on practicum and working with my lecturers on improving my practice. As a sessional lecturer I enjoyed dressing up for SKIDS (Science for Kids Day) one year as a frog, which was run by the School of Education. My sons also participated and I think that is why my youngest son is starting his PhD in science and education.

Career wise, what have you done since leaving ECU?

After completing a Bachelor of Science, I decided to complete a Graduate Diploma of Education at ECU in 1990. I loved study and whilst I taught in schools in WA, I completed a Master of Education also at ECU. Finally, in 2001 with a 6-month-old and a 2-year-old I started a PhD, which I completed in 2004.

After completing my PhD, I taught as a sessional lecturer at ECU and then at Murdoch University and was a Research Fellow at Curtin University. I worked part-time as I managed a young family and when they reached the end of primary school, I started work at Curtin University as a Lecturer, then Senior Lecturer and now as an Associate Professor and Chair of the Curtin Academy for excellence in teaching.

What's the one thing about you few people know?

I spend my spare time in northern Laos in a small town called Luang Prabang working with teachers and children on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Science projects.

What is your biggest achievement to date – personal or professional?

Personally, it would have to be my family including my two sons although I am not sure I would tell them (😉). Professionally, it would have to be creating the STEMinists and the work that my colleagues and I have completed through grants in Australia and overseas. Our STEM work to empower young female teachers in Indonesia, Malaysia and India has been incredibly rewarding.

Where’s your favourite place in the world?

Luang Prabang, working with teachers and children on STEM and Science projects. It is very beautiful as it sits on the isthmus of the Mekong and the Nam Rivers.

Who inspires you? 

I am inspired by a friend who is a quadriplegic. He is a warm and bright person who never complains about his many challenges and is always interested and engaged in the lives of the people that he meets. During COVID lockdown he spent seven months in bed so if I thought being at home was difficult spending seven months in one room in bed takes the challenge to the next level.

Who would you most like to meet and why? 

I would like to have met Mother Teresa, she was a remarkable, selfless, and humble women, and had an incredible journey during her life.

If you could live in any other time, when might that be?

I am not sure I would. I enjoy living in this amazing time of technology and innovation.

If you could go back to when you graduated from university, what advice would you give yourself?

I would advise the younger me to be braver and to take more risks. I have been getting progressively braver as I have been getting old. I think this might mean by the time I have my seniors’ card I will be completely fearless.