Growing human capital through Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
12.15 - 1.30pm, 10 October 2012
LH Martin Institute, University of Melbourne. Level 1, 715 Swanston Street, Carlton VIC 3053
Recording now available
Download Lorelle's presentation slides (pdf) | Listen to Lorelle's presentation (mp3) in our multimedia gallery.
According to Australia’s Chief Scientist, “the world’s dependence on knowledge and innovation will grow and not diminish and to be ahead in the race, a community needs the skills to anticipate rather than follow.” As Australia renews its commitment to growing the nation’s human capital in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, it does so alongside a host of other nations looking to such innovation as a driver of economic development in an economy and overall environment that is increasingly knowledge-based and technological.
The United States is one such nation – with a President squarely focused on STEM education and with a coordinated response on behalf of a myriad of stakeholders. Yet, despite this commitment, higher education degree production in STEM has flattened, and in some fields has declined – a fact that both the US and Australia are faced with.
In this free seminar Dr Lorelle Espinosa will discuss the US policy response to this and other challenges facing America’s education system and the findings of the scholarly community as contributors to the knowledge base of just “what works” in STEM higher education.
About the speaker
Dr Lorelle Espinosa is a Senior Analyst in Social and Economic Policy at Abt Associates, a global policy research and evaluation firm in Washington DC, USA where she evaluates the effectiveness of higher education and training programs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Prior to this Lorelle served as the director of policy and strategic initiatives for the US Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) where she provided leadership in aligning the organisation’s research, programs, and policy initiatives such as the Pathways to College Network and National Coalition for College Completion, which were funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Lumina Foundation for Education, and Ford Foundation.
Lorelle has an MA and PhD in Education with a specialisation in Higher Education and Organisational Change from the University of California Los Angeles. She has experience in undergraduate education administration at the University of California Davis, Stanford University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Lorelle’s experience, primary research, and contributions to the US dialogue on STEM higher education have made her a recognised young leader in her field.
Lorelle is the 2012 Endeavour Executive Award recipient. The Australia Endeavour Awards are the Australian Government’s internationally competitive, merit-based scholarship program providing study, research or professional development opportunities between Australia and the world. During her stay in Australia, Lorelle will work with leaders and policymakers as they seek to increase access and success in higher education, with an emphasis on degree production in STEM.
[Read Lorelle's recent blog entry on how we can ensure a brighter future in STEM]
Registration and more information
If you would like to attend this free seminar, please register by clicking on the 'Register' button on this page. Note: Please bring your own refreshments to the seminar.
For more information about the event, please contact Anita Wong or call +61 3 8344 0906.
