Submit your entry for the 2023 Women in Technology (WiT) Queensland Awards by 30 June 2023

The First Nations Change Maker Award recognises the impact of your ideas, innovations or initiatives in driving meaningful positive change in your field and the flow on effects your contributions have on lifting up and setting an inspiring example for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander females to participate in and achieve success in STEM disciplines.

Examples of your contribution and impact may include:

Advance, connect and empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander females to flourish in their chosen career or field of study and inspire them to give back to their community in a meaningful way.
Set an inspiring example for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to participate in and achieve success in STEM disciplines.
Protecting and enhancing the cultural, societal, environmental or economic wellbeing of Queensland’s Indigenous communities.
Utilising technological advances to break down barriers and open up diverse opportunities and pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Queensland to access education, employment and career development opportunities.
Promoting the success of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and Indigenous led initiatives, collaborations, start-ups, businesses, enterprises or research to recognise their expertise and contributions to the community.

This category is open to women, female led teams or projects, and majority female start-ups, scale ups or commercial organisations who demonstrate the principles of WiT’s core values (below). Entry is FREE.

Details on eligibility criteria and how to enter is outlined below ⬇️

All Award entries must be submitted online via Judgify. Create your free account to start your application

Download a copy of the Award Application Assessment Criteria for the First Nations Change Maker Award

Entries for the 2023 WiT Awards close on 30 June 2023.

Experience the ripple effects of the WiT Awards

Entering the 2023 Women in Technology (WiT) Queensland Awards is an opportunity to receive industry recognition for your impact as an advocate and role model for women and girls in STEM, and the positive impact your transformative ideas, innovations and solutions have on benefiting Queenslanders, enhancing local communities, strengthening Queensland businesses & industries, protecting our natural world and creating a more sustainable Queensland.

Entering the Awards can support you, your team, and your business to:

Strengthen your reach and impact

Gain widespread recognition as a leading industry expert, thought leader, change-maker, disruptor or innovator advocating for positive change in your chosen field and encouraging greater participation of women and girls in STEM careers or fields of study.

Expand your network

Connect with industry leaders, key decision makers and specialists in your field and across Queensland’s STEM community to help you form valuable connections, collaborations or partnerships that may open up new possibilities or funding opportunities to build support for and champion your cause, research, innovation, initiative or transformative ideas to further increase your impact.

Unlock your potential

The process of applying to enter the WiT Awards is a valuable opportunity for you, your team or your business to reflect on the impact of your achievements, contributions and milestones reach to date. It’s also an opportunity to celebrate how far you’ve come and set new goals or aspirations to work towards that empower you to strengthen your impact in a relevant and meaningful way.

How do I enter ?

Read the eligibility criteria (below) to see if you are eligible to enter and determine if this category is best suited for you, your team or your business.
Download a copy of the Award Application Assessment Criteria for the First Nations Change Maker Award
Visit the 2023 WiT Awards Judgify website to create your free account and commence your Award application.
Submit your Award Application and supporting documents online via Judgify by 30 June 2023.

As part of your award application, you’ll need to provide:

A 1-2 min video introducing yourself or your team/business and showcasing what you do. View tips for creating your video
Written summary or elevator pitch to support your video
Written responses outlining how you demonstrate the principles behind each of WiT’s core values to drive meaningful, lasting positive change to advance, connect and empower people in your chosen community and advocate for women in STEM with courage and respect
References to support your application
Linkedin Profile OR Summary CV
Relevant Social Media links for yourself or your business

Download a copy of the Award Application Assessment Criteria for the First Nations Change Maker Award

Who is eligible to apply?

This category is open to women, female-led teams/projects and majority female start-ups, scale ups, businesses or organisations that lift up or role model Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander who significantly contribute to Queensland’s STEM landscape and maybe operating in the following fields.

(Please note: this is not an exhaustive list).

Emerging Tech

Artificial Intelligence
Blockchain
Crypto
DeFi
Immersive Reality (AR/VR)
Internet Of Things (IOT)
Quantum
Computing
Robotics
Web3

Industry

Agriculture
Forestry & Fisheries
Defence
Aviation & Space
Education &/or Research
Engineering & Construction
ICT
Networks & Communications
Manufacturing
Resources
Energy & Utilities
Supply Chain
Sustainability & Environment
Transport
Postal & Warehousing

Community

Aged Care
Community Care
Retirement Living
Diversity & Equity Inclusion (creating or expanding opportunities for women and/or girls)
Indigenous (cultural, societal or economic wellbeing)
Volunteering
Advocacy
Community and Not For Profit

Business

Biotechnology
Coding
Development
DevOps & Computer Science
Cybersecurity and Security Services
Design
Analysis
Product Management
Finance & Accounting (Fintech)
ICT services, support, delivery and infrastructure
Business Support
Sales and Marketing
Pharmaceuticals
Professional Services (Admin Support Services, Legal, HR etc)

All entrants must either be an Australian citizen or permanent resident to be eligible to enter.

Start-ups, Businesses and Corporate, Government or Not-for-Profit Organisations who enter the Awards may have its head office outside of Queensland, but must be able to demonstrate a significant contribution to employment in Queensland STEM industries and servicing Queenslanders or Queensland communities with their technologically driven STEM based innovation, product, service, process, initiative or scientific research.

If an organisation is entering one (or more) of the categories listed below then they must have greater than 50% female* representation within their organisation.

Inspiring excellence in research & education award
Future focused business achiever award
Lifting communities award
Consumer strength champion award
Excellence in industry leadership award
Public sector excellence award
Emerging tech star award
Raising the regions award
First Nations Change Maker award

In addition to criteria outlined above, entrants must demonstrate in their application that they also meet the specific assessment criteria of the Award Category(s) they are entering.