Rate My Professor Pauline Charman

Pauline Charman is the Education Specialist and Harry Butler Institute (HBI) Education Lead at Murdoch University. As a biotechnologist and former high school science teacher, she possesses over 30 years of experience passionately inspiring secondary science students throughout Western Australia. Her diverse career includes positions as a teacher, administrator, state curriculum officer, and educational consultant, where she has championed the inclusion of biotechnology and the latest genetic discoveries in curricula. Charman founded and directs BioBarcode Australia, a social enterprise dedicated to biotechnology and STEM education through hands-on incursions and excursions. She leads the HBI's outreach and education programs, developing initiatives that bring real-world science to diverse learners, including those in schools, homeschool environments, and remote communities such as Kalumbaru, Looma, Leonora, and the Goldfields.

Charman's programs at the HBI focus on wetland science, taxonomy, biotechnology, and ecological restoration, enabling students to contribute to genuine scientific research. Key initiatives include the WA Bug Barcode Blitz, a National Science Week citizen science project where participants collect specimens, perform DNA extraction, genetic sequencing, and bioinformatics analysis to identify species and populate national biodiversity databases. She also coordinates Project Wetland Science in partnership with the Peel-Harvey Wetlands Centre, promoting environmental stewardship. Prior to joining Murdoch, Charman spearheaded a 15-year campaign to establish the Lotterywest BioDiscovery Centre at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, creating custom, curriculum-aligned activities delivered by researchers in operational laboratories, drawing visitors statewide. Her innovative approach to making science 'real and fun' has been recognized with the WiTWA Inspiring Role Model Award in 2019. Through virtual lessons, live streams from Murdoch University, and collaborations with HBI scientists, Charman continues to bridge the gap between classroom learning and professional research, empowering future scientists across regional Western Australia.