First keynote speakers announced

The first two keynote speakers for BS2025 are Associate Professor Jen Martin and Winitha Bonney OAM

Associate Professor Jen Martin (@scidocmartin) spent many years working as a field ecologist until she decided the most useful thing she could contribute as a scientist was to teach other scientists how to be effective and engaging communicators.

Jen founded and leads the University of Melbourne’s acclaimed Science Communication Teaching Program and is deeply committed to helping scientists develop the skills they need to be visible, make connections and have impact. She also practises what she preaches: for 18 years she’s been talking about science each week on 3RRR radio, she writes for a variety of publications, hosts the Let’s Talk SciComm podcast and MCs events.

Jen was named the 2019 Unsung Hero of Australian Science Communication, is Ambassador for The Wilderness Society’s Nature Book Week and is a member of the Homeward Bound Faculty, a global leadership program for women in STEMM.

She’s also a member of the Board at The Wilderness Society and the Australasian Dark Sky Alliance. Jen’s first popular science book, ‘Why am I like this? The science behind your weirdest thoughts and habits’ was published by Hardie Grant in 2024. 

Winitha is a globally recognised and award-winning leader and speaker. She’s got a background as a professional dancer as well as over 20 years experience as a C-Suite executive working in North America and Australia, leading organisation-wide transformation projects and managing billions of dollars. 

Winitha was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 2021 and is known for being a dynamic speaker and thought leader.  

She is obsessed with motivation for change in business and leadership and is recognised as one of the world’s leading experts in inclusion. 

As a professional keynote speaker since 2008, Winitha is committed to delivering real truths in an empowering, challenging, and entertaining way. 

More info about Winitha, can be found here.