International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2025 - Executive Staff Profile

This week the EPA is marking International Day of Women and Girls in Science on 11 February by acknowledging some of the EPA's #womeninscience.

This day celebrates the work of women in science and that of their colleagues around the world.

For this year's 10th Anniversary, the UN’s focus is on 'Charting Progress to Shape the Future: The Best is Yet to Come'.

Kathryn Bellette is the Executive Director for Science Services, Climate Change and Programs at the EPA.

• How long have you been with the EPA, and what initially drew you to the agency?

I have been with the EPA for over seven years, but my history with the agency goes back much further. I first worked here in 1993 as part of the inaugural staff of about 75 people. I was part way through a Master of Science (Research) in Aquatic Ecotoxicology and drawn to the EPA by my passion for pollution prevention and ecologically sustainable development.

• Can you share your journey into science?

After graduating from university and teachers’ college, I spent a year at CSIRO before teaching high school science and biology - a role I found both enjoyable and rewarding. I then worked as a botanist, participating in a multi-year biological and soil survey in the Northern Flinders Ranges, which often involved extended camping trips and backpacking to remote sites.

Following that, I became involved in environmental impact assessments at the Department of Environment and Planning and was South Australia’s first WaterWatch facilitator. When the EPA was first established, I saw an opportunity to further develop my skills and contribute to environmental protection, so I joined for five years working as a member the policy and strategy and then the water and monitoring branch before leaving to establish and lead the Onkaparinga Catchment Management Board staff. While I was at the EPA, I started a parallel career as a Board member as a person with either biological or environmental expertise.

Since then, I’ve worked as an environmental consultant and held executive roles in strategic planning at Planning SA (now PlanSA), where I introduced an ecosystem, sustainable development-based approach to land use planning across the State. I also spent time at Flinders University, leading the Water and Environment Research Hub and lecturing, before returning to the EPA as Director of Strategy and Assessment.

• What field did you study, and how did it shape your career?

I studied a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Botany and Zoology, followed by a Graduate Diploma in Education. About 10 years into my career I completed a Master of Science (by Research) in Aquatic Ecotoxicology and explored law and economics. My education and teaching experience gave me strong communication skills and an appreciation for the relationship between language and culture. Understanding the language and culture of law and economics has been invaluable in negotiating positive environmental outcomes with a diverse range of stakeholders.

• What sparked your passion for pursuing a career in science?

I’ve always had a love of nature.

• What do you find most rewarding or meaningful about your role in advancing environmental protection or science?

Using science and evidence-based approaches to drive legislative change and improve development assessment outcomes. Above all, preventing environmental problems before they arise is very fulfilling.

• What aspects of your work do you find most interesting and engaging?

Collaborating with the team of committed professionals from diverse disciplines who work at the EPA and share a common drive to create meaningful environmental change.

• From your perspective, what’s the most exciting or enjoyable part of your job?

Expanding the EPA’s capability and capacity in key areas like climate change, radiation, and persistent organic pollutants is particularly exciting. In my new role, I’m also looking forward to getting out into the field to see the state of the environment firsthand.

• Are there any surprising or lesser-known facts about your career or your field of work that you’d like to share?

My career has often placed me at the intersection of environment and development, science and policy, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. I believe some of the most innovative solutions to complex environmental and sustainability challenges emerge from these intersections - where different perspectives and ways of thinking come together.