International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Brianna (Bri) Guidera Landscape Officer 

What sparked your interest in your field? Was there a defining moment or influence? 
I think it was a combination of things. Science has always excited me because for every question there’s an answer, and for every answer there’s another question. Growing up in a small West Coast town surrounded by farms, some of my core memories are sitting on the skirting table watching my dad shear. 

When I was about 13, a great science teacher encouraged my interest in agriculture and the environment through lessons in our school vineyard and wetlands. I once helped him lead a vineyard tour for local aged care residents and had a great time. Funnily enough, 14 years later, giving presentations about things I’m passionate about is still one of my favourite parts of the job. 

Did you always picture yourself working in this field? 
Yes and no. I always imagined working in environmental management, ideally within agriculture. I ended up spending nearly six years in applied agronomic and soils research, which I enjoyed and assumed I’d continue doing long term. When the Landscape Board offered me this role in 2025, it was a bit of a shakeup, but I embraced it, and I now describe it as my dream job. 

What’s been the most unexpected part of your career so far? 
How my interests have evolved. At university, I took a compulsory course on extension and thought, “This isn’t for me.” Then my first internship involved a lot of extension work, and I found out I actually loved it. Now I find giving people new ideas and knowledge one of the most rewarding parts of what I do. 

What does a typical day look like for you? 
One of my favourite things about this job is that “typical” days don’t exist. My work changes with the seasons – and sometimes week to week. 

Before and during seeding, I focus on planning, reporting and running workshops and events. During the growing season, I’m out collecting data and samples for our trials and demonstrations, and we work closely with local ag bureaus, which keeps us busy. 

September is agriculture’s “Silly Season,” filled with field days, stickybeak days and events – I’m rarely in the office then. Once harvest begins, things quieten down and it's back to planning and reporting. 

What project are you most proud to have worked on? 
A project measuring soil carbon levels in saline soils with and without native samphire in the Coorong/Tatiara district. It was fascinating work, and I was really happy with the outcomes. 

What’s something about your work people might not expect? 
The huge size of our region and just how many projects we’re involved in across it. 

What major changes have you noticed in your field over time? 
Soil health, soil carbon, and carbon credits have absolutely boomed. In the last few years, these topics have become some of the biggest in agriculture, at least from my vantage point.
 
What’s one thing that has made your workplace more welcoming for women? 
I’ve been fortunate – my workplaces have generally been staffed by and welcoming to women. But one small change I’ve loved is the addition of portaloos at field days and crop walks. It might sound simple, but it makes a big difference. 

Have you had a moment where you felt your voice shaped a decision? 
Not a single standout moment, but I feel that my voice regularly helps shape decisions within our team. My input is always valued, which means a lot. 

What do you wish you’d known early in your career? 
You don’t always need to have a plan – things work out one way or another. Some things are worth losing sleep over, but most aren’t. 

Are there any women in science who inspire you? 
All of my previous and current managers have been women, and they’ve inspired me in different ways – through their conduct, assertiveness, achievements, decisiveness and supportiveness. 

What advice would you give a young woman or girl thinking about a STEM career? 
Support the women around you. Working in male-dominated industries can be tough. I’ve been told I’d make a “handy wife” because of my job and once had someone suggest I only got a role due to “gender quotas.” Many women I know have experienced similar things. 

But those comments come from a small minority – and their opinions do not define you. Most people will support you and genuinely want to see you succeed. 

Don’t fall into the trap of feeling like you need to “prove you belong.” Ask questions, apply yourself, take on challenges. The people who matter will see your value. 

Any piece of advice that has stuck with you? 
Be open-minded but critical. It’s the best advice I’ve received – and the best I can offer anyone working in science. 

Best encounter in your job? 
There’s no single moment, but I’ve had some amazing conversations with people I’ve met through work. The variety is great – the people, the places, the learning. I work with incredible colleagues and landholders who support me and share so much knowledge …and I meet a lot of farm dogs – which always makes me happy! 

Favourite tool you use? 
My soil kit. It has everything you need to characterise a soil pit – and it’s saved me more than once. 

Elly Pratt, Resilient Ecosystems Ecologist 

What sparked your interest in your field? 
Right from the start, my parents fostered a deep love of the outdoors. We grew up on a farm, spent summers at Wallaroo and took camping trips all over Australia. Those experiences gave me countless opportunities to discover strange and wonderful plants and animals, and to appreciate nature for what it is, not just what it can do for us. 

Did you always picture yourself working in this field? 
I always imagined working in conservation, though the shape of what that career looks like has definitely evolved. I started with a degree in Marine Biology and spent five years studying bottlenose dolphins. That work sparked my interest in how nature adapts to a changing environment – something that ultimately led me to where I am now, supporting native plants and animals in the face of climate change. 

What’s been the most unexpected part of your career? 
Getting to work with my parents in a professional capacity. My mum is the Lead Ag Teacher for SA, and we’ve collaborated on carbon farming resources and teacher training. I never imagined we’d get to work together. That’s been incredibly fun and special. 

What does a typical day look like for you? 
It is so varied. Most days I work on projects and strategies that help communities and native species adapt to climate change. But I also get to spend time outdoors doing on-ground monitoring and tree planting – a great way to break up the week and stay connected to the landscapes we work to protect. 

What’s something about your work that most people wouldn’t expect? 
How much collaboration and planning goes into helping species adapt. A lot of my work happens behind the scenes at a computer, shaping strategies and long-term approaches that guide how we respond to environmental change. 

What change have you seen in your field since you started? 
There’s now far greater recognition of First Nations knowledge and Caring for Country practices. It’s exciting to see that working with First Nations communities is becoming a normal, valued part of how we design and deliver projects. 

What’s one thing that’s made your workplace more welcoming for women? 
I’ve had incredible female leaders from the very beginning. During my PhD, my supervisor, Luciana Moller, was one of the few female professors at the university. Since then, I’ve been fortunate to work with more brilliant female leaders. In my current role, I always feel my ideas are respected and appreciated – and I’m surrounded by inspiring women doing fantastic work. 

Have you had a moment where you felt your voice shaped a decision? 
Not one specific moment, but I always feel heard. Our leadership genuinely values our expertise, and my boss, Libby, is amazing at making our team feel like trusted professionals whose ideas matter. 

What do you wish you’d known when you were starting out? 
You don’t have to choose a path and stick to it no matter what. Some of the best experiences in my career came from jumping at unexpected opportunities. 

Are there any women in science who inspire you? 
My mum. She carved her own path in the male-dominated agriculture industry and has a real-world impact while inspiring students from all backgrounds. She works incredibly hard, is deeply respected, and has always encouraged us to pursue careers we truly enjoy. 

What advice would you give a young woman or girl thinking about a STEM career? 
Say yes to every opportunity to learn and gain experience. Even if something isn’t the perfect fit, the connections and skills you develop along the way will help you reach your dream job. Stick with it! 

Best encounter in your job? 
There are so many! The mix of people, places and species I get to interact with makes every week interesting. I really enjoy working with our people, and I enjoy the freedom to be constantly learning. 

Favourite tool you use in your job? 
Nothing beats being out in nature with fieldwork gear in hand – it’s where the real magic of conservation happens.