Projects / Initiatives

WiNS is about empowering women's participation and leadership roles in national security, fostering diversity, and inclusivity, and enhancing strategic effectiveness.

The ANU National Security College is invested in advancing gender equality and leveraging women's expertise to strengthen national security efforts, promoting diversity and inclusive decision-making within the defence and intelligence sectors.

WiNSipre mentors and mentees standing for group photo

WiNSpire: the next generation of mentors

This new mentoring initiative, from NSC and ASPI, connects emerging female leaders in the national security domain with university students from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Over a 10 month period, emerging female leaders mentor tertiary students who aspire to work in national security, providing guidance and insights to enable them to gain a better understanding of national security workforce opportunities and explore career aspirations.

Women sitting at boardroom table talking

A network of networks

Noticing the hard work being done by a range of women-led national security initiatives, NSC forged the WiNS Alliance in order to give these groups a meeting ground.

This alliance hosts regular meetings for groups including ASPI's Women in Defence and Security Network, USSC's Women in the Alliance, and the Australian Women in Security Network to share news of upcoming initiatives, project proposals, and resources.

Scholarships

Dr Margot McCarthy Memorial Scholarship for Women in Security

This scholarship aims to foster domestic talent in women in national security policy and attract high quality applicants who may otherwise have been excluded due to financial constraints and who can demonstrate long-term commitment to a career in National Security in either the public service or policy research.

Woman in classroom working on computer

National Intelligence Community and National Security College Scholarship for Women

These scholarships aim to foster the talent of Australian women with a diverse background and skillset who are interested in national security and pursuing a career in the national intelligence community.

Two women sitting at table discussing papers.

The ANU National Security College hosted a podcast mini-series to celebrate women from across the Australian national security community.

The series — part of the National Security Podcast — explores the experiences of eminent and up-and-coming security professionals to inspire and expand the next generation of female talent.

Gai Brodtmann and Meg Tapia

Introducing: The Women in National Security series

Nina Davidson headshot

Nina Davidson from the Office of National Intelligence

Julie-ann Guivarra

Julie-Ann Guivarra of the National Indigenous Australians Agency

Elise Stephenson

Elise Stephenson, gender researcher and Fulbright Scholar

Sophia Hamblin Wang

Sophia Hamblin Wang, Chief Operating Officer for Mineral Carbonation International

Catherine Roberts

Catherine Roberts, Australia’s first Space Commander