Australian women research pioneers in optometry, who have had published papers in Clinical and Experimental Optometry have been celebrated in a special virtual issue of this leading peer-reviewed journal.
The virtual issue salutes the changing face of optometry as women now represent more than 50 per cent of optometrists, said Lyn Brodie, CEO of Optometry Australia.
“Women are having an increasingly important impact on our sector and it is one of the exciting changes we are witnessing in our profession,” Ms Brodie said.
The issue celebrates 32 pioneers in Australian optometric research who have had papers published in Clinical and Experimental Optometry, one of the world’s top three optometric journals and published since 1919 by Optometry Australia.
“Research represents the foundation of evolution in optometric practice as demonstrated by all the exceptional women who contribute to Clinical and Experimental Optometry,” Ms Brodie said.
Editor, Emeritus Professor Emeritus Nathan Efron, said the women selected for the list have played a major role in advancing basic and applied ophthalmic knowledge, for the ultimate benefit of all those who are visually challenged.
The list includes pre-eminent women who have published research papers in Clinical and Experimental Optometry in the past 33 years. It is not an exhaustive list but based on a strict inclusion criterion.
“The reaction to this issue has been fantastic. I have also spoken to many of the women who have been nominated and they’ve been absolutely thrilled,” he said.
“As this is a virtual issue, it is a living document which allows the list to grow over time,” Prof Efron said.
The list includes Dr Maria Markoulli, Clinical and Experimental Optometry’s first deputy editor and first female optometric researcher to hold a role in the journal’s executive management.
“I’m excited and humbled to be included as this virtual issue is a ‘who’s who’ of women luminaries in optometric research,” Dr Markoulli said.
View the full list here: (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/toc/10.1111/(ISSN)1444-0938.women-pioneers.
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For more information contact:
Rosanne Michie, r.michie@optometry.org.au
Kerry I’Anson, k.ianson@optometry.org.au
End note:
Selection Criteria for inclusion:
- Women with an optometric qualification who have gone on to make significant contributions to Australian optometric research.
- Significant contributions normally would be indicated by the woman pioneer having achieved at least two of the following performance/esteem indicators: published > 30 refereed scientific papers; author/editor of books or book chapters; Web of Science h-index > 15, full Professor; Head of School/Department of Optometry; very senior profession/industry appointment; recipient of prestigious research medals/awards.
- Australian citizen, graduated in Australia, worked extensively in Australia, or has other strong Australian connection.
- Authored at least one original research paper or review paper in Clinical and Experimental Optometry (or a preceding journal name); one example is listed for each woman pioneer.
- The journal Editor is the sole arbiter as to who is listed and will consider any further nominations for inclusion