A strategic goal for FLEET from the outset was to establish a collaborative culture to encourage partnerships between diverse fields and geographically scattered personnel that make up the Centre. Some key elements of FLEET’s approach are:

Fostering inclusiveness, diversity and transparency

• Established the Women in FLEET and Diversity in FLEET fellowships and scholarships to increase representation in STEM
• Ensured early-career researcher (ECR) participation on all Centre governing committees
• Shared best practices and initiatives with other ARC Centres of Excellence.

Creating a family-friendly environment

• Organised family-friendly workshops and events to support work-life balance
• Implemented policies to accommodate caregiving responsibilities.

Building community and collaboration

• Encouraged partnerships between geographically dispersed personnel through collaborated project designs and facilitating collaborations across disciplines and career stages
• Kept Centre alumni connected via communications and events and Friends of FLEET LinkedIn group
• Created a non-hierarchical culture where all members contribute to outreach and presentations. Required all members, from Director to students, to contribute 20 hours of outreach annually
• Had students and researchers present at workshops while senior investigators presented posters, breaking down hierarchies.

Influencing policy and practices

• Centres of Excellence have the potential to make lasting, big-picture changes in Australian science policy, and FLEET made formal submissions to government policy on equity in STEM, Australia’s critical technologies list and Australia’s quantum strategy.
• Trained investigators at all levels to have more effective input into science policy
• Developed methods to evaluate the effectiveness of outreach events and sharing learnings with other research centres.

By implementing these initiatives, FLEET has created a workplace culture that fosters innovation, inclusiveness and collaboration, while developing future scientific leaders and influencing national policies.