Amelie Hampton
Women of STEM Scholarship Winner
Award Date:
2026
STEM Interests
Currently studying a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) with a major in Chemical Engineering
A Bit About Me
I grew up on the South Coast in Kiama before attending high school in the Illawarra. I’ve always loved STEM, spending school years diving into science, chemistry, maths, and physics projects and even completed hands-on experiences like the UNSW SciX Summer School and Science Extension projects. Outside academics, I’ve played representative basketball for the Illawarra Hawks throughout my childhood, enjoyed building with Lego, and love spending time with my dogs, Charli and Willow. I’m now commencing my chemical engineering degree at UNSW, living in Sydney, and excited to turn my curiosity and passion into real-world solutions.
Questions and Answers
Tell us about someone who inspires you and why
How did you become interested in STEM?
What are you most looking forward to about studying STEM at university?
How will the Women of STEM Scholarship assist you?
Dr Butson is incredibly inspiring to me. I based my Science Extension project on his work and developed it under his guidance, using cutting-edge technology from his research on water purification. He runs a non-profit focused on water sustainability, often sacrificing personal time to make a real impact. Seeing how he applies engineering to solve critical challenges showed me that the field isn’t just about theory, it’s about creating life-changing solutions. His vision and dedication fuel my passion to pursue chemical engineering and make a difference.
I’ve loved STEM for as long as I can remember! As a kid, Lego, Connect N’Build sets, microscopes, and water rockets had me constantly asking, “How does this work?” Science experiments, bushwalks, and trips to Questacon fueled that curiosity. In high school, visiting BlueScope Steel to explore renewable energy projects and attending UNSW’s SciX Summer School to study water purification strategies showed me how STEM can solve real-world problems. That experience transformed curiosity into a passion to create practical, meaningful solutions for people and the environment.
I can’t wait to get hands-on with real research, experiments, and projects that tackle global challenges like clean energy, water sustainability, and waste reduction. University will give me access to advanced labs, amazing mentors, and collaborative projects where I can test ideas and see them come to life. I’m excited to work with passionate peers, learn cutting-edge solutions, and turn knowledge into real-world impact. University feels like the perfect place to bring my curiosity and ideas into action.
The Scholarship Award would help reduce the financial pressure of university, allowing me to fully engage in STEM projects, research, and initiatives. It would give me the freedom to participate in labs, workshops, and hands-on experiences that build technical skills and problem-solving abilities. With this support, I can focus on creating innovative solutions, exploring new technologies, and contributing to sustainability-focused engineering projects without worrying about balancing costs alongside study and extracurricular commitments.
What job do you hope to pursue after graduating from university?
I want to work as a chemical engineer in sustainability or renewable energy, creating innovative, scalable solutions to real environmental challenges. Whether it’s clean energy systems, water treatment, or sustainable manufacturing, I want to take research and turn it into action that positively impacts communities and the planet. I hope to work on interdisciplinary projects, apply problem-solving and creativity, and make a measurable difference. My goal is to design solutions that truly matter, combining innovation with impact.
