To mark International Women’s Day 2026, we spoke with Rita Henderson, Professor of Water Engineering and Deputy Dean (Societal Impact & Translation) in the School of Chemical Engineering, UNSW Sydney.
A leader in water quality, treatment and sustainability, Professor Henderson reflects on this year’s theme, “balancing the scales”, and shares insights on navigating interdisciplinary career pathways, senior leadership, and family life — and on building systems that recognise diverse experiences as central to excellence in engineering.
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?
“Balancing the scales” resonates with my career because it has not followed a single, linear path. I began with a chemistry background, moved into applied water science and engineering, and later transitioned into Civil and ultimately Chemical Engineering at UNSW. Each shift required rebuilding networks and learning new disciplinary languages, while drawing on the strengths of what came before. Having also moved from the UK to Australia and built my career while raising a family without local support, I’ve seen how traditional academic models can disadvantage non‑standard pathways. For me, balancing the scales means creating systems that value interdisciplinary careers, flexibility, and long‑term contribution—so excellence in engineering research reflects the full breadth of talent and experience.
As a leader in water quality, treatment, and sustainability, how have you navigated balancing high-impact research with other professional and personal responsibilities?
My approach to balance has evolved over time, shaped by both experience and circumstance. Alongside leading my research program in water quality and treatment, I have taken on significant faculty leadership roles, including Associate Dean and now Deputy Dean (Societal Impact & Translation) at UNSW. With family responsibilities and no local family support network, finding balance has been particularly important. I am learning to focus on work that genuinely inspires and motivates me, and that delivers real impact; to build strong, trusted teams; and to share leadership and responsibility wherever possible, rather than trying to do everything myself. This has enabled me to sustain research excellence and contribute strategically at faculty and university levels, while also being there for my family, reinforcing the value of flexible ways of working that support both meaningful careers and a full personal life.
Can you share a moment in your career where increased support, opportunity, or flexibility made a meaningful difference to your progression?
A defining moment in my career was being supported to step into senior leadership roles while continuing to build my research trajectory, particularly during periods of significant personal responsibility. I took on the Associate Dean role as an Associate Professor during the COVID‑19 pandemic, balancing caring responsibilities alongside leadership, teaching, and research as I progressed to full Professor. The flexibility I was afforded, together with teaching relief as leadership responsibilities increased, enabled me to take on these roles, including progression to Deputy Dean, without unduly compromising my family life. Being assessed on outcomes rather than presence reinforced for me how powerful trust and flexible support structures can be, particularly for those people navigating complex and intersecting career and life demands.
In your experience, what unique perspectives or strengths do women bring to engineering, and how have these shaped your own career journey?
Rather than assuming women bring a single set of “unique” strengths to engineering, I think it’s more accurate to recognise that diversity of experience broadens how engineering problems are framed and addressed. When different perspectives are present, we are more likely to challenge assumptions and design solutions that work in real‑world contexts. In my own career, I’ve been conscious of leading in ways that value collaboration, empathy, and a clear sense of purpose. These approaches have shaped how I build research teams, develop partnerships with industry and communities, and contribute to areas such as gender equity, Indigenous engagement, and societal impact. I see these not as gendered traits, but as leadership capabilities that flourish in inclusive engineering environments.
What advice would you give to early-career women who are working to build a sustainable and fulfilling career in engineering?
My advice is to define success in a way that aligns with your values and life circumstances, and to recognise that impactful careers are rarely linear. Choose to work on challenges you genuinely care about—passion is what sustains momentum when things become difficult. Seek out mentors and sponsors who value both excellence and equity, be open to opportunities that stretch you even if the timing feels imperfect (there is rarely a “right” time), and don’t underestimate the value of your perspective. For those balancing family responsibilities, request flexibility and remember that seeking support is not a weakness, but a strategic investment in long‑term contribution. Engineering needs diverse leaders who can sustain their impact over decades, not just short bursts of productivity.