This weekend, over 160 of Australia’s brightest young minds travel to Swinburne University of Technology for the NYSF National Youth STEM Summit. Between 19 to 21 July, the STEM Summit will be held in Melbourne, Victoria for the first time. The STEM Summit bridges the gap between career aspiration and action for Australia’s next generation of STEM professionals and is packed full of inspiring speakers, hands-on workshops and high-impact networking events.
“What next?” is the question from delegates at the National Youth STEM Summit; young Australians who are at the decision point of how best to use their science and technology interest and training to solve Australia’s biggest challenges.
Across the three days on Swinburne’s Hawthorn campus, delegates will build critical skills through interactive workshops led by industry experts while diving into major questions in science and society through panels exploring career development, resilience, communication, and trust in science.
Putting their learning into action, a STEM Study and Career Expo gives delegates a chance to meet a range of real-life science and technology professionals and leading national STEM organisations. In a first, a pre-Summit tour of the Australian Synchrotron at ANSTO, provides a rare behind-the-scenes look at one of Australia's most advanced scientific facilities.
Speaker Highlights:
- Dr Doug Hilton AO, Chief Executive of CSIRO
- Professor Misty Jenkins AO FTSE, WEHI Laboratory Head and Gunditjmara woman
- Professor Alan Duffy, Pro Vice Chancellor, Flagship Initiatives at Swinburne University of Technology
In 2025, 70% of delegates are young women or gender diverse and 22 delegates identify as Indigenous. Young STEM leaders are joining from as far away as Western Australia and northern Queensland! The NYSF strives to foster an environment that reflects the true diversity of Australia’s youth, ensuring that every student has an opportunity to engage with STEM studies and careers, regardless of background.
By providing an inclusive platform that amplifies the voices and needs of young Australian STEM talent at a national level, the NYSF National Youth STEM Summit fosters innovation, retains talent, and builds Australia’s future STEM workforce.
“The NYSF National Youth STEM Summit is designed for those in the earliest stages of their science and technology journey after school and helps young people from all over Australia connect with like-minded peers, meet some of the most influential figures in Australian science and technology, and explore the diverse career pathways that STEM has to offer,” said Dr Melanie Bagg, CEO of the NYSF.
“Swinburne University of Technology is honoured to host the 2025 NYSF National Youth STEM Summit. The Summit is a launchpad for the next generation of innovators, creators, and problem-solvers. No matter who you are or where you're from, there's a place for you in STEM. We’re excited to empower the next generation to chase their STEM dreams with purpose,” says Professor Virginia Kilborn, Chief Scientist, Swinburne University of Technology
The STEM Summit is sponsored by key STEM organisations:
- Department of Industry, Science and Resources – Platinum Sponsor
- Swinburne University of Technology – Host University Sponsor
- Atlassian – Opening Networking Event & Scholarship Sponsor
- Pawsey Supercomputing Centre – Coffee Station & Scholarship Sponsor
- ANSTO – Access and Equity Champion & Scholarship Sponsor
- ADF Careers – Sponsor
- ATMO Biosciences – Scholarship Sponsor
- CSIRO – Scholarship Sponsor
- CSL – Scholarship Sponsor
- QUIBIC – Scholarship Sponsor
NYSF more broadly is supported by the Australian Government, our Major Partner, Lockheed Martin Australia, our host universities, The Australian National University (ANU) and The University of Queensland (UQ), and a range of other partners. Rotary is a Founding Partner of the National Youth Science Forum.
Media opportunities are available at the STEM Summit with in-person events in Melbourne between 19 – 21 July. We can arrange interviews with our CEO, young people from all around Australia, and our speakers.