Space XX: Gender, Power & the New Space Race

In April 2026, the first woman and first person of colour flew around the Moon in the Artemis II mission. By June 2026 it was announced that no women would be part of future missions of Artemis III – a disappointing return to a reality where women remain under-represented and chronically sidelined in humanity’s outer space engagement.

Space is the site of billions of investment from governments, institutions and private companies, and this is set to accelerate in future years. Yet despite this significance to global economics and society, few have sought to examine the gendered dynamics of the space sector.

As the world is being tipped upside down by the ‘broligarchy’ of space entrepreneurs and anti-diversity, equity and inclusion warriors, this book examines what it is like to work in the space sector – particularly for those historically underrepresented. Drawing on a world-first research study of gender and diversity in space, it explores the experiences of over 400 pioneering women, men, trans and non-binary people, from astronauts to robotics engineers, ethicists to Space Agents. Sharing insights from interviews, surveys and focus groups, it gives entirely new insight into the extent of (in)equality and women in STEM.

While space exploration is often referred to as the ‘final frontier’ and an embodiment of a colonial, patriarchal ‘wild west’, today marks humanity’s best opportunity to ensure we do not engrain social inequalities in space. Other endeavours into land and air, including mining or polar exploration, also struggle with equity and inclusion, but the impact when it comes to space may be far more significant – it will shape not just what kinds of endeavours humanity undertakes, but who benefits and who is left behind. Fascinating, timely and urgent, this book shows us how we could do better – and why it matters.

Invited talks and keynotes

• “Diversity in Space”, keynote, Diversity at the Frontier: Gender Equality in Space Conference, 12-14 April 2023.
• “Soft Power in the ASEAN-Australia Relationship”, masterclass, ASEAN-Australia Strategic Youth Partnership, 15 October 2020.
• “Diversity in International Affairs”, keynote presenter, Raise Our Voices, 29 September 2020.
• “Diversity and Inclusion in a Post-Covid-19 Era,” keynote presenter, Go1, 12 June 2020.
• “Building Influence,” keynote presenter, Asialink Business, 11 June 2020.
• “Antifragility in Academia: Building long-term research and engagement partnerships,” keynote presenter, Griffith Asia Institute, 4 June 2020.
• “Social Enterprise and Making Impact in the Asia Pacific Region,” keynote presenter, International Conference on Social Marketing, Gold Coast, 2020 (postponed)
• “You Can Ask That,” chair, Women of the World Festival, Brisbane, 2020 (postponed).
• “Gender and Sexuality Justice,” keynote presenter, Brigidine College International Women’s Day, 8 March 2020.
• “Social Justice,” keynote presenter, Brigidine College Staff Leadership and Training Day, 27 January 2020.
• “The Future of Business: Social Enterprise”, workshop presenter and facilitator, Australian High Commission to Brunei Darussalam, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, 29 November 2019 – plus 5 additional events.
• “Entrepreneurship and Social Change”, workshop presenter and facilitator, ILO, STELLA, Australia Volunteers and Australian Embassy, Vientiane, Laos, 26 November 2019 – plus 7 additional events.
• “Driving Social Impact Through Enterprise”, workshop presenter and facilitator, RMIT Activator, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 21 October 2019 – plus 11 additional events.
• “Social Enterprise in Australia and ASEAN”, workshop presenter and facilitator, Future Forum, Phnom Penh Cambodia, 30 July 2019 – plus 6 additional events.
• “Gender justice, the Sustainable Development Goals and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights”, chair and facilitator, Human Dignity Festival, Hong Kong.
• “Critical human rights issues facing LGBTIQ communities globally”, chair and facilitator, Human Dignity Festival, Hong Kong, 2018.
• “Doing Business in the Indo-Pacific Region Beyond Your Studies”, keynote presenter, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s New Colombo Plan Queensland Networking Event, alongside State Director Derek Brown, Queensland, Australia, 2018.
• “How can we pitch our innovative, scalable, sustainable solution that makes a difference in the world, and for humanity?” panelist, MAYK It Happen Day, Kelvin Grove State College with 440+ students, Brisbane, Australia, 2018.
• “Social enterprise”, workshop facilitator, Crowd Round, Unconference, Sunshine Coast, Australia, 2018.
• “Entrepreneurial support and mentorship”, keynote presentation, Advancing Women in Business, Boosting Women as Mentors, Office for Small Business, Queensland Government, Brisbane, 2017.
• “The importance of volunteering for national volunteering week”, presenter and MC, Young Women’s Forum, Brisbane, Australia, 2014-2016.
• “MATE LGBTIQ domestic violence prevention”, presenter, Australian AIDS Council, Canberra, Australia, 2016.
• “Griffith University Social Entrepreneurship Projects in Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Mental Health”, presenter, ENACTUS National Conference, Sydney and Brisbane, Australia, 2013-2014.
• “Young Professionals Accord”, presenter, Asia Pacific Cities Summit, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 2013