To mark International Women’s Day 2026, we spoke with Dr. Emma Lovell, Professor of Chemical Engineering and a leader in energy and environmental catalysis research.
Reflecting on this year’s theme, Balancing the Scales, Professor Lovell shares insights on equity in academia, navigating the evolving demands of research and leadership, and building a sustainable career in engineering while supporting the next generation of scientists.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme focuses on “balancing the scales.” What does this mean to you in the context of your career in chemical engineering and research?
In academia, balance is rarely about a “perfect” split at any one moment. Instead, it’s about creating systems and environments where opportunity, output, and support are distributed more equitably over time.
In our field, where we are tackling complex challenges in energy, catalysis, and sustainability, balance also means ensuring that diverse perspectives are not just welcomed but actively empowered. If we want the best solutions, we need the full spectrum of talent contributing to them.
For me, balancing the scales is about making sure that excellence and equity go hand in hand. Brilliant science and inclusive leadership are not competing priorities, they are mutual.
As a leader in energy and environmental catalysis, how have you navigated balancing high-impact research with other professional and personal responsibilities?
Being an academic is always a balancing game.
Between research, teaching, supervision, service, and impact, there are always many balls in the air. At the moment, I’m also on maternity leave after having my second son, which adds another very real and very joyful dimension to that balancing act.
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that balance doesn’t exist in a single snapshot of time. It exists in aggregate. During teaching term, research output may dip. During intense research periods, administrative tasks might slow. When personal responsibilities increase, professional progress may not move at the same pace. That’s okay.
The key, for me, has been being kind to myself and being clear about the non-negotiables, maintaining integrity in my work, supporting my students, and protecting time for my family. If those foundations are strong, everything else can flex.
Accepting that seasons shift, and allowing them to, is what makes a long-term career sustainable.
Can you share a moment in your career where increased support, opportunity, or flexibility made a meaningful difference to your progression?
I feel exceptionally fortunate to work in such a supportive and understanding environment with incredible and inspiring people, within PartCat Research Group, the School of Chemical Engineering, UNSW, and my broader professional network.
The culture of trust and flexibility, particularly around parental leave, has made a profound difference. Even while on leave, colleagues have continued to offer opportunities but without pressure or expectation. That balance of inclusion and respect has been invaluable.
When you give people freedom and genuine support, they give back. Knowing that my contribution is valued even during periods when my capacity shifts has strengthened my commitment and confidence.
In your experience, what unique perspectives or strengths do women bring to engineering, and how have these shaped your own career journey?
Chemical engineers are working to solve some of the biggest challenges facing the world. From climate change mitigation to the transition away from fossil fuels, to clean water and health technologies. These challenges affect every single person on the planet.
To solve problems of that scale, we need diversity of thought, experience, and leadership. If we exclude 50% of the population, explicitly or implicitly, we are limiting our creativity and our capacity for innovation.
For me personally, leaning into collaboration and mentorship has shaped my career profoundly. Building strong, supportive teams is arguably a lot more important than publishing high-impact research.
What advice would you give to early-career women who are working to build a sustainable and fulfilling career in engineering?
Sustainable is the key word.
To build a sustainable career, it has to be fulfilling. You need to identify the parts of your role that genuinely energise you and invest deeply there. For me, that’s mentoring students, educating the next generation, making paths easier for the next generation and discovering new knowledge that has the potential for positive environmental impact. That’s where I focus my time and energy, because that’s where I find meaning.
There will always be pressures, deadlines, and competing demands. But when you anchor your career in the aspects that bring you joy and purpose, it becomes much easier to navigate those pressures without burning out.
And finally, I don’t aim for perfection. Aim for progress, impact, and integrity. Careers are marathons, not sprints. Balance is not about doing everything at once; it’s about building something that lasts.