Lachlan Black

ANU College of Engineering, Computing and Cybernetics
School of Engineering

I’m a Senior Research Fellow in the School of Engineering, and have worked at the ANU since 2018. My research is focused on the development of new materials and device structures to help improve the performance of commercial solar panels and reduce the cost of solar photovoltaic electricity.
I have been a NECTAR Custodian since 2022 and a NECTAR Co-Chair since October 2023. In this role, I helped to steward NECTAR through the difficult transition following the departure of the previous NECTAR Coordinator in 2023, among other things overseeing the adoption of the NECTAR Charter, participating in the recruitment process for the new NECTAR Coordinator, and convening a working group to provide feedback to the proposed ANU Research and Innovation Portfolio Strategy.

I see NECTAR as playing a critical role in supporting the professional development and career progression of early career academics (ECAs), as well as providing a voice for their interests at a university level. I’ve twice been a participant in the NECTAR mentoring program as a mentee, and have experienced just how important programs like this are to helping ECAs navigate the challenges of an academic career. As a NECTAR Co-Chair, I aim to work together with the NECTAR Custodians, members, the ANU executive and the Colleges to find ways to address some of the structural barriers and challenges for ECA career progression, while continuing to advocate for the interests of ECAs during the current period of significant uncertainty and change in the university sector.

Kathy Wang

ANU College of Business & Economics

Research School of Accounting

I am a Lecturer at the College of Business & Economics at ANU with a strong passion for championing the interests of Early Career Researchers (ECRs). Having been part of the ANU community for over 11 years—nine as a student and two as a faculty member—I have gained a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges that define our university and the broader academic landscape. These experiences have inspired my commitment to supporting ECRs as they navigate the complexities of academia.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I co-founded and have since chaired the Early Career Researchers Support Network (ECRSN) to address the unique challenges ECRs faced during this time of reduced funding and limited opportunities for in-person mentorship. What began as a small initiative with just five members has grown into a global network of over 170 participants, connecting institutions across Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia, and the US. Through monthly online seminars and mentoring opportunities, ECRSN has become a vital platform for fostering collaboration, building connections, and enhancing academic resilience.

As NECTAR Co-Chair, I aim to bring my experience in leadership, advocacy, and community-building to create an inclusive and supportive environment for ECRs at ANU. I am committed to driving initiatives that empower ECRs, amplify their voices, and promote their professional and academic development. Together, I believe we can overcome challenges, forge meaningful connections, and cultivate a thriving environment where every ECR has the opportunity to succeed.

Laura L. Dawes

Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science

I am a public historian of medicine and the law at the Centre for the Public Awareness of Science (CPAS). I studied history of science at Oxford and Harvard. As a public historian, my aim is to bring rigorous historical scholarship to a wide audience and as such my research outputs include TV documentaries, magazine pieces, and radio programs, and I previously worked in news and entertainment media. My research looks at the nexus between medicine, science and the law and explores how medical knowledge is communicated to, understood and used by the public. I convene CPAS’s honours program and also sit on NCEPH Education Committee and CPAS Teaching Committee.

I have served as a NECTAR custodian since joining ANU in 2023. I am interested in representing and advocating for early career academics – making sure our perspectives and interests are both heard and acted upon. I believe this results in better outcomes in teaching, research, and life satisfaction with benefit to our members and to the University as a whole.

Hongbo Guo

Research School of Management

ANU College of Business and Economics

I am a postdoctoral research fellow at the Research School of Management, College of Business and Economics. I hold a PhD in Management, and my research focuses on employment relations, precarious work and migrant workers. Throughout my studies, I had the privilege to work with multiple organisations to give into why people often stay silent when facing underpayment and other exploitative industrial practices.

I am dedicated to creating an inclusive, empowering space for early career researchers. To me, NECTAR represents more than a network – it is a movement to create an inclusive and supportive academic environment. Together, we make a meaningful change by advocating for fairer policies, fostering connections across disciplines and offering tangible support through workshops, mentorship and open dialogue. I believe that by standing together, we can ensure that every ECR feels seen, valued and empowered to thrive