An effective way to boost the visibility of women scientists is through high-profile prizes. This has the double impact of promoting the individuals' careers as well as inspiring the next generation of young women from developing countries to enter scientific careers.
Celebrating women from under-resourced countries - making them visible - inspires women from similar contexts to follow in their footsteps.
Focusing on women from developing countries at early career stage, OWSD has co-designed a high-profile awards scheme with The Elsevier Foundation.
The awards recognize and celebrate the achievements of early career women scientists in the South who have worked hard against social, economic and cultural pressures to achieve internationally competitive results.
Each year, awardees receive USD 5,000 and an all-expenses paid trip to a relevant international meeting, to present their research, network with others in their fields, and receive recognition in front of a scientifically-informed public. Awardees are celebrated in international and national media. Past awardees have been received by their country’s presidents and gone on to receive other prestigious awards and fellowships including the L'Oreal-UNESCO Award For Women in Science Fellowships and the British Council Award.
According to an impact survey conducted in 2020, awardees report increased collaborations, additional fellowships and research grants, and invitations as speakers or panelists or on expert committees and funding boards. They also feel more confident and motivated to continue in their scientific careers and to seek out leadership opportunities.
