FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Shelley O’Brien
202-588-8175
obrien@awis.org
AWIS Statement on the 2024 Nobel Prizes in the Sciences
WASHINGTON DC, October 15, 2024 – The Association for Women in Science (AWIS) expresses deep disappointment that no women were awarded Nobel Prizes in the sciences this year. This outcome highlights a persistent gender imbalance in the recognition of scientific and academic excellence in physics, chemistry, physiology and medicine, and economic sciences.
“We know many women are succeeding and thriving in STEM, but they don’t always get the recognition they deserve,” said Meredith Gibson, CEO of AWIS. “The Nobel Prize is one of the most prestigious award platforms in the world. It sends the wrong message to future generations when they see zero women among the newly named laureates.”
Women are published less often, receive fewer patents and awards, and face challenges that men do not. Organizations must re-examine existing practices and do more to break the systemic biases that are deeply rooted in STEM culture in order to retain women in STEM, dispel the stereotypes, and inspire the next generation.
AWIS urges the Nobel Prize committees to take concrete steps to ensure that women scientists and scholars are nominated and recognized for their contributions including:
- Transparent Nomination Processes: Ensure that the nomination and selection processes are transparent and inclusive, with clear criteria that promote gender diversity. Publish a list of top nominees so they can receive some benefit from the recognition.
- Diverse Selection Panels: Ensure diverse selection committees that include a balanced representation of women and men from various scientific and academic fields. If the pool of candidates is not diverse, look harder.
- Active Outreach and Encouragement: Do more to actively seek and encourage nominations of women scientists and scholars, as well as historically excluded minorities, particularly from underrepresented regions.
- Regular Reporting and Accountability: Set measurable goals for improving gender diversity. Publish annual reports on the gender breakdown of nominees and awardees.
AWIS remains committed to advocating for gender equity in science and academia and calls on the Nobel Prize committees to take the necessary steps to ensure that the contributions of women are equally celebrated and recognized.
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About AWIS: Founded in 1971, AWIS is the leading organization that advocates on behalf of women in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) professions to achieve business growth, social change, and innovation. AWIS’ mission is dedicated to driving excellence in STEM by achieving equity and full participation of women in all disciplines and across all employment sectors. While our membership is concentrated in the United States, our community reaches over 63,000 social media followers, 32,000 monthly website visitors, and 24,000 newsletter subscribers globally.