Each year, the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Program recognises a small number of exceptional female early‑career researchers in Australia and New Zealand with a prestigious fellowship. In 2025, for the first time since the program began in 2007, the award went to a mathematician: Dr Maria Kleshnina from QUT’s School of Mathematical Sciences.

Maria’s research is in game theory – an interdisciplinary field grounded in the mathematical sciences that studies how people make decisions when their outcomes depend on the actions of others. In this episode, we explore why game theory matters, the kinds of real‑world problems it is designed to tackle, and how it has become a powerful way of thinking across economics, politics, and – in Maria’s area of interest – conservation.

Maria is a Senior Lecturer at QUT, an Australian Research Council DECRA Fellow, and a Chief Investigator with the Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future initiative. We spoke with her about her research, her career journey, and what it means to be awarded a L’Oreal-UNESCO Women in Science Fellowship.

Our host is Dr James Nichols.

Episode webpage: https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/game-theory/ ‎

Each year, the L&rsquo;Or&eacute;al-UNESCO For Women in Science Program recognises a small number of exceptional female early‑career researchers in Australia and New Zealand with a prestigious fellowship. In 2025, for the first time since the program began in 2007, the award went to a mathematician:&nbsp;Dr Maria Kleshnina&nbsp;from QUT&rsquo;s School of Mathematical Sciences.
Maria&rsquo;s research is in&nbsp;game theory&nbsp;&ndash; an interdisciplinary field grounded in the mathematical sciences that studies how people make decisions when their outcomes depend on the actions of others. In this episode, we explore why game theory matters, the kinds of real‑world problems it is designed to tackle, and how it has become a powerful way of thinking across economics, politics, and &ndash; in Maria&rsquo;s area of interest &ndash; conservation.
Maria is a Senior Lecturer at QUT, an Australian Research Council DECRA Fellow, and a Chief Investigator with the Securing Antarctica&rsquo;s Environmental Future initiative. We spoke with her about her research, her career journey, and what it means to be awarded a L&rsquo;Oreal-UNESCO Women in Science Fellowship.
Our host is Dr James Nichols.
Episode webpage: <a href="https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/game-theory/">https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/game-theory/</a> &lrm;

Welcome to The Random Sample - a podcast from the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Mathematical Analysis of Cellular Systems (MACSYS).  In this podcast, we share stories about mathematics, statistics, data science and the people involved. The Random Sample is also proud to have the support of these supporting partners: the Australian Data Science Network (ADSN), the Statistical Society of Australia (SSA), the Australian Mathematical Society (AustMS), the OPTIMA ARC Training Centre, the MATRIX Mathematical Research Institute, and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Mathematical and Statistical Frontiers (ACEMS). ACEMS created the podcast in 2018. For further resources and show notes, visit therandomsample.com.au

Welcome to The Random Sample - a podcast from the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Mathematical Analysis of Cellular Systems (MACSYS).&nbsp; In this podcast, we share stories about mathematics, statistics, data science and the people involved. The Random Sample is also proud to have the support of these supporting partners: the Australian Data Science Network (ADSN), the Statistical Society of Australia (SSA), the Australian Mathematical Society (AustMS), the OPTIMA ARC Training Centre, the MATRIX Mathematical Research Institute, and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Mathematical and Statistical Frontiers (ACEMS). ACEMS created the podcast in 2018. For further resources and show notes, visit <a href="https://www.therandomsample.com.au/">therandomsample.com.au</a>

Stories about mathematics, statistics and the people involved

The Random Sample

Welcome to The Random Sample - a podcast from the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Mathematical Analysis of Cellular Systems (MACSYS). In this podcast, we share stories about mathematics, statistics, data science and the people involved. The Random Sample is also proud to have the support of these supporting partners:  Australian Data Science Network (ADSN), Statistical Society of Australia (SSA), Australian Mathematical Society (AustMS), OPTIMA ARC Training Centre, MATRIX Mathematical Research Institute, and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Mathematical and Statistical Frontiers (ACEMS). ACEMS created the podcast in 2018. For further resources and show notes, visit therandomsample.com.au

Welcome to The Random Sample - a podcast from the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Mathematical Analysis of Cellular Systems (MACSYS). In this podcast, we share stories about mathematics, statistics, data science and the people involved. The Random Sample is also proud to have the support of these supporting partners:&nbsp; Australian Data Science Network (ADSN), Statistical Society of Australia (SSA), Australian Mathematical Society (AustMS), OPTIMA ARC Training Centre, MATRIX Mathematical Research Institute, and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Mathematical and Statistical Frontiers (ACEMS). ACEMS created the podcast in 2018. For further resources and show notes, visit <a href="https://www.therandomsample.com.au/">therandomsample.com.au</a>

Game Theory: The Mathematics of Strategic Choices - with Dr Maria Kleshnina

In this episode of The Random Sample, we explore the science of scale – from the behaviour of granular materials to the remarkable world of nanotechnology. Professor Natalie Thamwattana, an applied mathematician from the University of Newcastle, shows how studying the very small can lead to big insights across science and engineering.

Her pioneering work in nanotechnology is helping unlock how some of nature’s smallest building blocks can tackle some of our biggest challenges – in medicine, energy, and electronics. In a field often dominated by heavy numerical simulations, Natalie was among the first to take a different path, developing analytical, formula-based approaches to understand the mechanics of carbon nanostructures.

Alongside her research, Natalie shares a deeply personal story of growing up in Thailand and forging a path into mathematics. It’s a journey shaped by resilience, curiosity, and the support of her family – one that led to an international career at the forefront of applied mathematics.

Our host is Cait Pryse – from The University of Melbourne.

Episode webpage:  https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/nanotechnology-natalie-thamwattana/

In this episode of&nbsp;The Random Sample, we explore the science of scale &ndash; from the behaviour of granular materials to the remarkable world of nanotechnology. Professor Natalie Thamwattana, an applied mathematician from the University of Newcastle, shows how studying the very small can lead to big insights across science and engineering.
Her pioneering work in nanotechnology is helping unlock how some of nature&rsquo;s smallest building blocks can tackle some of our biggest challenges &ndash; in medicine, energy, and electronics. In a field often dominated by heavy numerical simulations, Natalie was among the first to take a different path, developing analytical, formula-based approaches to understand the mechanics of carbon nanostructures.
Alongside her research, Natalie shares a deeply personal story of growing up in Thailand and forging a path into mathematics. It&rsquo;s a journey shaped by resilience, curiosity, and the support of her family &ndash; one that led to an international career at the forefront of applied mathematics.
Our host is Cait Pryse &ndash; from The University of Melbourne.
Episode webpage: &nbsp;<a href="https://www.therandomsample.com.au/?post_type=podcast&amp;p=2078&amp;preview=true">https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/nanotechnology-natalie-thamwattana/</a>

From Granular to Nano: Big Science at Small Scales – with Prof Natalie Thamwattana

Mathematics is often used to model how diseases spread. But what about the spread of information – or misinformation – about those diseases and their vaccines?

Professor Stacey Smith? from the University of Ottawa is a trans mathematician whose research focuses on modelling infectious diseases. Increasingly, her work has turned to the social and behavioural dynamics that shape anti‑vaccination sentiment.

In this conversation, we explore how mathematical approaches can help make sense of attitudes ranging from vaccine hesitancy to outright resistance, and why understanding these dynamics is critical for effective public health responses.

The episode is hosted by Eva Stadler, a postdoctoral research fellow in the Infection Analytics Program at the Kirby Institute at UNSW Sydney. Together, Eva and Stacey discuss how tools from the mathematical sciences can be applied well beyond traditional epidemiology, intersecting with psychology, sociology, and communication science.

This episode is part of a special two‑part series released to coincide with Women in Mathematics Day (12 May), celebrating the contributions of women – and those who identify as women – in the mathematical sciences worldwide. The other episode in the series explores how the mathematical sciences are playing an increasingly important role in understanding women’s health.

Mathematics is often used to model how diseases spread. But what about the spread of information &ndash; or misinformation &ndash; about those diseases and their vaccines?
Professor&nbsp;Stacey Smith?&nbsp;from the University of Ottawa is a trans mathematician whose research focuses on modelling infectious diseases. Increasingly, her work has turned to the social and behavioural dynamics that shape anti‑vaccination sentiment.
In this conversation, we explore how mathematical approaches can help make sense of attitudes ranging from vaccine hesitancy to outright resistance, and why understanding these dynamics is critical for effective public health responses.
The episode is hosted by&nbsp;Eva Stadler, a postdoctoral research fellow in the Infection Analytics Program at the Kirby Institute at UNSW Sydney. Together, Eva and Stacey discuss how tools from the mathematical sciences can be applied well beyond traditional epidemiology, intersecting with psychology, sociology, and communication science.
This episode is part of a special two‑part series released to coincide with&nbsp;Women in Mathematics Day (12 May), celebrating the contributions of women &ndash; and those who identify as women &ndash; in the mathematical sciences worldwide. The other episode in the series explores how the mathematical sciences are playing an increasingly important role in understanding women&rsquo;s health.

Tracking the Spread of Vaccine Hesitancy - with Prof Stacey Smith?

Mathematics is not often associated with women’s health, yet the mathematical sciences are playing an increasingly important role in understanding pregnancy, reproductive health, and chronic conditions that disproportionately affect women.

Professor Alys Clark and Dr Claire Miller, both from the Auckland Bioengineering Institute at the University of Auckland, use mathematics to shed light on complex health challenges faced by women, including pregnancy and endometriosis.

In this episode, they highlight the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly between mathematicians, biologists, and clinicians. In a twist on our usual format, Alys and Claire interview each other, offering a candid and engaging look at their research, their collaborations, and what it’s like to work at the interface of mathematics and medicine.

This episode is part of a special two‑part series released to coincide with Women in Mathematics Day (12 May), celebrating the contributions of women – and those who identify as women – in the mathematical sciences worldwide.  The other episode explores how mathematics can help us understand the growing challenge of anti‑vaccination sentiment.

Episode webpage:   https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/maths-womens-health/

Mathematics is not often associated with women&rsquo;s health, yet the mathematical sciences are playing an increasingly important role in understanding pregnancy, reproductive health, and chronic conditions that disproportionately affect women.
Professor&nbsp;Alys Clark&nbsp;and Dr&nbsp;Claire Miller, both from the Auckland Bioengineering Institute at the University of Auckland, use mathematics to shed light on complex health challenges faced by women, including pregnancy and endometriosis.
In this episode, they highlight the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly between mathematicians, biologists, and clinicians. In a twist on our usual format, Alys and Claire interview each other, offering a candid and engaging look at their research, their collaborations, and what it&rsquo;s like to work at the interface of mathematics and medicine.
This episode is part of a special two‑part series released to coincide with&nbsp;Women in Mathematics Day (12 May), celebrating the contributions of women &ndash; and those who identify as women &ndash; in the mathematical sciences worldwide.&nbsp; The other episode explores how mathematics can help us understand the growing challenge of anti‑vaccination sentiment.
Episode webpage: &nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.therandomsample.com.au/?post_type=podcast&amp;p=2046&amp;preview=true">https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/maths-womens-health/</a>

Game Theory: The Mathematics of Strategic Choices - with Dr Maria Kleshnina

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