Estée Lauder has launched new awards. Image credit: Estée Lauder Companies
Beauty group Estée Lauder Companies is supporting female scientists with the creation of two international awards.
Presented in partnership with Nature Research, Estée Lauder’s awards will honor women’s achievements in science as well as those working to get more women and girls involved in science. Women account for only a third of researchers around the world, offering room for greater inclusivity in the field.
“Given the inspirational advocacy for gender equality across society we’ve recently seen, it’s more important than ever that we do more to recognize and support the achievements of women in science, and that we encourage girls and women to engage with STEM subjects and pursue scientific careers," said Magdalena Skipper, editor-in-chief of Nature Communications and judging panel member, in a statement. "These awards will give a global platform to some of these women who may otherwise go unheralded, as well as celebrate the efforts of the leaders – women and men – behind initiatives supporting greater equality in the sciences.”
“As Nature Research we are in a unique position to champion the achievements of researchers, and we have a responsibility to drive positive change in the research community," she said. "Our journals are committed to supporting gender equality, and we hope that through our connections with the research community we can identify some outstanding individuals deserving of these awards and use our international reach to share their stories.”
Women's empowerment
The Inspiring Science Award is open to women scientists who completed their PhD within the last decade. This will be given to an individual to honor her excellence in scientific discovery.
Estée Lauder and Nature Research will also be awarding an individual or organization that has promoted female participating in STEM fields, either through increased access or awareness, with the Inspiring Science Award.
The winners will be announced in October. In addition to receiving up to $10,000 in funds that can be used on initiatives related to the award, the recipients will also get free training from Nature Masterclasses.
Estée Lauder is supporting women in science. Image credit: Estée Lauder
The Inspiring Science Award winner will also get a grant of up to $5,200 to fund the publication of their research in a Springer Nature journal. Meanwhile, the Inspiring Science Award will come with up to $5,200 to help produce an event related to encouraging women and girls to pursue science.
Nominations opened April 9 and will close on June 11.
“As a company founded by a pioneering woman, supporting other women pioneers is at the core of who we are," said Lisa Napolione, senior vice president, global R&D at The Estée Lauder Companies and judging panel member, in a statement. "We are thrilled to partner on these inaugural awards with Nature Research, an organization that shares our values focusing on exceptional science and extraordinary scientists.
"We are so proud that more than half of our scientists and engineers in our global R&D teams are women," she said. "These scientists have revolutionized research in the beauty industry in a wide range of areas including cellular repair, circadian rhythm and epigenetics in skin.
"As we look to the future, ensuring a deep bench of research expertise among the next generation in emerging scientific areas is critical. We know first-hand that mentoring, and specifically mentoring of young women, is a strong contributor to long-term success, so we have built a scientific mentoring program into the Nature Research Awards.
"Our goal is to connect award recipients to scientific experts in their fields who have the unique skill set required to support and accelerate the awardee’s research progress.”
Female empowerment is a key focus of many brands' efforts.
Mercedes-Benz Canada, for instance, is partnering with the Women’s Executive Network (WXN) to honor women who are up-and-coming leaders.
As part of WXN’s annual Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Awards, Mercedes will be presenting a new category centered on emerging innovators. Mercedes’ earliest history includes a pioneering woman, making this award an opportunity to not only spotlight current talents, but to also honor the brand’s heritage (see story).