Igniting the Spotlight on Quantum Trailblazers: Why Women's Voices in Quantum Computing Matter More Than Ever
Imagine a world where groundbreaking innovations in quantum technology are shaped not just by brilliant minds, but by diverse perspectives that ensure everyone benefits. That's the heart of today's discussion on empowering women in the quantum field. But here's where it gets controversial: In an industry dominated by complex science and rapid advancements, are we truly doing enough to amplify female voices, or are we risking a lopsided future where opportunities are missed? Stick around as we dive into insights from experts who are challenging the status quo—and you might find yourself questioning your own assumptions about gender and innovation.
Joining us today are Biliana Rajevic, who leads external communications at Quantum Brilliance and co-founded the impactful charity Quantum Women; Rachel Rayner, a dynamic science communicator and comedian; and Alison Goldingay, a dedicated quantum researcher at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. Together, they unpack the 'Elevating Quantum Women's Voices' program, a transformative initiative aimed at equipping women in quantum industries with the skills to express themselves powerfully and gain greater recognition. They delve into the program's curriculum highlights, such as harnessing the art of storytelling, tailoring messages for varied audiences, and navigating the unique hurdles of virtual presentations on Zoom. Rachel opens up about her 'Quantum Comedy' performances, which cleverly mix humor with physics, while Alison and Biliana put the program's '60-second challenge' to the test by simplifying concepts like single-photon detection and diamond-based quantum computing for everyday understanding. We also ponder the vital role of diversity in quantum ecosystems, dream up historical dinner guests, and explore even more thought-provoking angles.
Transcript
Yuval: Greetings, Alison, Biliana, and Rachel. I'm thrilled to have you all here today.
Rachel: Hey there, thanks so much for inviting me. Actually, thanks to all of us for being here.
Yuval: Let's kick off with you, Alison. Could you introduce yourself and share what you do?
Alison: Absolutely, hello! I'm Alison Goldingay, working as a quantum researcher at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. It's exhilarating. I spend a good deal of time in the lab, focusing on photonic control—creating and detecting single photons. I can elaborate if you'd like, but we're thrilled about the potential applications across various quantum technologies.
Yuval: Fantastic. Now, Biliana, your turn—who are you and what keeps you busy?
Biliana: Hi everyone, I'm Biliana Rajevic. I juggle multiple roles. In my primary job, I'm at Quantum Brilliance, a top player in quantum diamond technology, developing hardware, software, and diamond materials. I started handling strategy two and a half years ago and have since moved into external communications. Outside of that, in my free time, I'm a co-founder of Quantum Women, a charity dedicated to uplifting and showcasing women in the quantum space.
Yuval: And Rachel, tell us about yourself.
Rachel: Hello, I'm Rachel Rayner. I'm a communications specialist focusing on presentations and performances across TV, video, radio, and the stage—each platform has its own nuances that I love exploring to help people convey their stories effectively. Like Biliana, I wear several hats: I've been touring with quantum comedy shows at arts festivals, and I also handle PR and marketing for a company. Communications expert pretty much captures it for me.
Yuval: In the context of our chat, you're also a coach for a specific program. Can you walk us through it—what are its objectives and who participates?
Rachel: Yes, precisely. It's an outstanding initiative. We're a group of coaches and mentors who applied and demonstrated our qualifications to join. The focus is on enhancing communication skills for women in the quantum sector, empowering them to speak up confidently in rooms, on stages, or on TV about their work and their organizations. The name says it all—it's about boosting visibility for quantum women like Alison. This program is a crucial step toward making more women prominent in the industry.
Yuval: What's so quantum-specific about it? Aren't these skills useful in many other fields?
Rachel: Oh, absolutely they are, but—and Biliana might elaborate better—it's a prime chance to integrate diversity into this emerging industry right from the start. We've missed opportunities in fields like physics from the 1920s onward, where women were underrepresented. Now, with quantum engineering, science, and physics at a new frontier, let's equip women with visibility skills early on. That's my take, but Alison, any other perspectives?
Alison: Definitely. Communication is essential everywhere, but it's especially tough for researchers in quantum because, as we've seen, explaining our work can be tricky. Learning to simplify complex ideas so others can grasp them is vital—it helps demonstrate quantum's real-world value. If people can't understand it, they might dismiss it as 'interesting but irrelevant,' so it's partly our responsibility to bridge that gap.
Yuval: Alison, nearing the program's end, what's the biggest takeaway? If you had to pick one new insight from the past six to eight weeks, what would it be?
Alison: The standout lesson is the importance of personalizing everything in communication. I always tailored messages to my audience's knowledge level, but now I go further by considering what they truly need—not just assuming they'll passively absorb information, but ensuring my presentation meets those needs directly.
Yuval: Rachel, let's talk about the syllabus. How does it unfold, and just out of curiosity, how many people are involved?
Rachel: Great question. I'd estimate around 60 participants total. We have sessions led by experts like Arabella McPherson on presenting with influence and impact, held every two weeks. In the off weeks, smaller groups refine what we've learned to align with individual goals. It's flexible—we review exercises, decide what needs more practice, and adapt them. For instance, if someone's aim is public speaking, we might tweak storytelling techniques to fit. As a comms pro, I often overlook basics like assuming everyone knows terms like 'quantum spin,' but this group reminds us to clarify. It's eye-opening for researchers and communicators alike.
Yuval: It's funny how 'spin' means totally different things in our worlds.
Rachel: Totally different, yes!
Yuval: Alison, I imagine there were hands-on elements, like presenting to the whole group. How much practical training was there?
Alison: Yes, and the big event is tonight! We'll practice on stage with panels on topics close to us, emphasizing storytelling as a core skill. Even in a field as intricate as quantum, human elements like stories help connect. And this is the part most people miss: storytelling isn't just for fiction—it transforms abstract science into relatable narratives.
Yuval: Rachel, I think you mentioned 'quantum comedy' earlier. Can you explain that or give an example?
Rachel: Sure! I call it 'quantum comedy' partly tongue-in-cheek—adding 'quantum' makes anything sound cooler, like in Ant-Man. Participants from the program came to a show and said things like, 'Oh, atoms and the Standard Model—haven't thought about that in ages.' Maybe it's not purely quantum after all. I do one-hour solo shows at festivals: one on photons and light interaction, showing our everyday quantum connections; another on building atoms from the Standard Model, exploring its real-world implications. I aim for humor and artistry, inspiring artists with science—but I've ended up drawing scientists to arts events, which I'm delighted about.
Alison: I've seen Rachel's shows—they're hilarious. If I may share a joke: historically, we've called women 'female scientists,' but men are just 'scientists.' Rachel flips it to empower women, showing they can excel in quantum, comedy, or both. Her shows are a must-see!
Yuval: Agreed. Biliana, how did this program originate? What sparked it, and how long did it take to develop?
Biliana: It traces back five or six years to a similar effort for women in finance in Australia. A man there noticed women declining panel invitations despite being asked. They interviewed women to identify barriers like feeling unheard or unworthy. With a C-suite comms expert, they built a program: four group sessions, four coaching ones, plus launch and closing events. Coaching is in small groups of five with two coaches for a supportive, equal dynamic. Topics include preparation (beyond slides to audience research), handling tough questions, storytelling, and building confidence. When I saw its success, I adapted it for quantum women, partnering with Quantum Australia. Initial feedback is positive, so Alison and Rachel's insights speak louder than my endorsement.
Yuval: I've chatted with Michelle Simmons on this podcast, and Catherine Foley is another Australian standout. Is the scene different here compared to the UK or US, and should this program spread globally?
Biliana: It should absolutely expand—we're discussing with European groups. It's resource-intensive: securing participants, coaches, and industry partners for in-person sessions at places like KPMG, AWS, DIRAQ, Quantum Brilliance, law firms, and the Semiconductor Sector Service Bureau. Senior leaders attend to show support. Adding virtual options could help overseas, but the challenges are universal. In quantum, with a small female pool, we must include diverse viewpoints. For passionate scientists, it's tragic if they opt out due to fixable issues. But here's where it gets controversial: Is prioritizing women in quantum 'fair' to men, or is it essential to correct historical imbalances? What do you think—does equality require targeted programs, or should merit alone prevail?
Yuval: Rachel, Biliana brought up Zoom. As a communications pro, are there differences in prep for in-person vs. virtual, and does the course cover that?
Rachel: Not in detail—we focus on fundamentals like voice empowerment and audience awareness, which apply everywhere. Knowing your audience, voice care, and nerve management work for stages or meetings. For specifics: in-person involves more body language—posture, gestures—which we practiced. On Zoom, you're confined to a screen; look at the camera for eye contact, which feels unnatural. Hand movements can be distracting if they go off-frame. Practice helps make it fluid. Biliana added using a better camera and polishing your setup, even for casual calls—eye contact and angles matter.
Rachel: And don't forget the nose-up camera angle!
Yuval: Alison, post-program, imagine a cocktail party with non-experts. How do you describe your single-photon detector work?
Alison: I call it a 'quantum camera' for tiny light particles—relatable to everyday cameras. It sparks interest in applications, making quantum accessible without jargon overload.
Biliana: Arabella, our trainer with no quantum background (she's an opera singer turned actress), challenged us to a 60-second video explaining our work to her. One participant started at three minutes, refining to 62 seconds. It's hard to stay accurate yet engaging.
Alison: People care more about 'why' than 'how.' I used storytelling for data security, referencing Australia's 2022 breach affecting millions—personalizing it builds connection.
Rachel: Alison even tried quantum comedy on stage—it was brilliant!
Yuval: Biliana, practice time: Explain Quantum Brilliance in 60 seconds.
Biliana: We get synthetic diamonds, enhance their quality, implant qubits, overgrow with diamond for room-temp operation, forming chips for quantum computers or sensors. Visually, it's like polishing a rough gem into a flawless one.
Yuval: Diamonds for computers—truly a modern treasure.
Biliana: To add, 26 women and 10 coaches participate, including non-scientists in operations, design, finance—anyone quantum-touched needs these skills.
Yuval: Rachel, as a coach, what have you gained from participants?
Rachel: Absolutely—I'm not instructing; we're co-learning. I've discovered Australia's quantum talent firsthand. Refreshers in comms are invaluable. Listening to their stories inspires me. Biliana's team is amazing.
Biliana: Participants transform, leading to more conference speakers beyond current leaders.
Rachel: I'm spotting practice opportunities, like lunch-and-learns.
Yuval: Wrapping up, a fun hypothetical: Dinner with one quantum icon, dead or alive. Biliana first.
Biliana: John Martinis, post-Nobel, for insights on future developments.
Yuval: Rachel?
Rachel: Margrethe Bohr, Niels Bohr's wife—she co-wrote his papers and shaped his message. I'd love to hear about crafting those ideas.
Yuval: Alison?
Alison: Marie Curie—she defied odds at the Solvay Conference, winning two Nobels. I'd ask about her experiences and life balance.
Yuval: Thanks, Alison, Rachel, Biliana.
Alison: Thank you.
Biliana: Thank you all.
What sparks your thoughts? Do you agree programs like this are crucial for diversity, or should we focus solely on individual merit? Is quantum comedy a game-changer for science outreach, or just a gimmick? Share your views below—let's debate!
