The diversity of study pathways into jobs in Australia’s $3.3billion motorsports sector has been showcased to more than 35 girls and young women from Gladstone to the Gold Coast.
The University of the Sunshine Coast co-hosted an information and mentoring day at the V8 Supercars’ PremiAir Racing at Arundel to outline how studies in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) could lead to adrenalin-filled careers.
The Girls on Track Pathways program, coordinated by Motorsports Australia, aims to address gender disparity in the global industry by empowering women aged 15 to 22, particularly those from regional, rural, remote and First Nations backgrounds.
“People outside the industry may not realise how many different careers are on offer beyond the high-profile drivers and their pit crews, and how university studies could be of benefit,” said Dr Dan van den Hoek, UniSC Senior Lecturer in Clinical Exercise Physiology.
“Our academics discussed relevant degrees in sport science, engineering, business, management, marketing, psychology, clinical exercise physiology, communications and journalism.
“There are also many upcoming opportunities for applied research, as the industry rapidly develops new technologies and pursues its sustainability goals.”
Dr van den Hoek, who worked as a sport scientist with Triple Eight Race Engineering, said the national Girls On Track program wanted to counter the underrepresentation of women in both athlete and non-athlete roles in motorsports.
“Female drivers represent less than five percent of the motorsport population,” he said. “We need to increase the visibility of female professionals across the sector.”
The UniSC team received a Queensland Government Investing in Queensland Women grant, which helps organisations create positive change for women and girls.
