Under the Stars: Astrophysics for Bedtime

Women in STEM ambassador Lisa Harvey-Smith urges our young women into the field with her inspiring new project.

Astrophysicist and Women in STEM ambassador Lisa Harvey-Smith has announced her brand new project which will nurture and encourage young Australians into the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, her first children's book titled Under the Stars: Astrophysics for Bedtime out through Melbourne University Publishing.

A passionate advocate for gender equity, Lisa hopes to inspire and encourage young women to foster an interest in STEM, as she did at an early age with astrophysics. With women accounting for less than 1/5 of all employees in STEM in Australia, Lisa is raising awareness and driving cultural change in the STEM sector.

"It's important that we foster home-grown talent into STEM and encourage girls as much as boys to develop their interests in the diverse fields in sciences, technology, the different types of engineering and mathematics," Lisa says. "There is absolutely no difference in the ability between the genders and I am excited to assist in driving this cultural change and see a shift in attitudes towards gender in STEM."

Illustrated by Mel Matthews, Under the Stars: Astrophysics for Bedtime, transports curious kids and inquisitive adults on an incredible journey through the night sky. Kids will be able to explore the solar system from the comfort of their bedrooms, find out why the sky is blue, fly around a black hole and learn why Jupiter has stripes. It's a book that will bring the night sky to life, giving amazing new perspectives to young explorers who are always asking"'Why?'

As part of her role as Australia's Women in STEM Ambassador, Lisa has been travelling the country sharing her enthusiasm for astrophysics, encouraging more girls and women into STEM and working with leaders to address barriers to gender equity in STEM fields.

Lisa hopes that parents and grandparents will encourage not only their sons and grandsons, but their daughters and granddaughters to engage with astrophysics by purchasing them a copy of her new book and exploring an exciting new world among the stars.

"The cosmos is a fascinating new world for many, and I am excited to have translated my knowledge of this amazing subject for kids," says Lisa.

It's a wonderful introduction into science and technology for kids – and their parents. If my new book can inspire girls to look beyond the social stereotypes and reach for the stars, I'll be very happy".

Lisa Harvey-Smith is an award-winning astronomer and Professor at the University of New South Wales. She serves on the Australian Space Agency's Advisory Group and is the Australian Government's Women in STEM Ambassador.

Mel Matthews is an illustrator who lives and works on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula in Victoria. After a brief stint as a jazz musician, she studied fine art and illustration before becoming a full-time illustrator, creating artwork for books, games and products of all kinds. When she's not drawing, Mel can usually be found swimming, reading, writing, talking to parrots, or looking for the International Space Station on a clear starry night.

Under the Stars: Astrophysics for Bedtime
Melbourne University Publishing
Author: Lisa Harvey-Smith
Illustrator: Mel Matthews

Interview with Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith

Question: What inspired Under the Stars?

Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith: Under the Stars was inspired by my deep love of the night sky and sharing its secrets with young people. I noticed that although kids love astronomy there weren't many children's non-fiction books about the subject. My volume of 'Astrophysics for Bedtime' fills that void!


Question: What audience did you have in mind when writing Under the Stars?

Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith: I hope that the book and it's beautiful illustrations will inspire big and little kids alike. Whether you are a parent reading to their child as they are tucked up in bed, or a relative sneaking a read at Christmas- everyone can learn something. The book explores questions from 'what are shooting stars?', to 'how big is the universe?'.


Question: What message do you hope Under the Stars spreads to this audience?

Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith: Under the Stars shows inquisitive kids of all ages that there are no boundaries to their thirst for knowledge and how far they can explore.

Through it's beautiful illustrations the book also shows young readers that whoever they are - scientists look like them.


Question: How much of your inspiration comes from real life and real people?

Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith: As part of my role as Australia's Women in STEM ambassador I travel Australia and speak to hundreds of young people about astronomy and space, getting all sorts of questions and learning how young people think about the universe. That has definitely helped to shape and guide Under the Stars into something very accessible for all kids who want to go to sleep dreaming of the stars.


Interview by Brooke Hunter
Under the Stars: Astrophysics for Bedtime
Melbourne University Publishing
Author: Lisa Harvey-Smith
Illustrator: Mel Matthews