The Athena Forum is the independent and expert voice from, within and for the science community on the issues of career progression and representation in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (‘STEMM’). The Forum aims to work towards a goal of proportional democratic representation in STEMM through providing a unified voice for influencing policy and effecting cultural change.

The Athena Forum is aware that a lack of diversity in nominations is a barrier to the diversification of prizes and awards winners. In order to help address this, the Athena Forum is running a workshop that will provide delegates with practical advice on making nominations for prize and awards. The event will also include a panel discussion bringing together expert speakers from various learned societies to share their knowledge with attendees.

10:30 – 11:00

Registration and coffee

11:00 – 11:05

Welcome address

11:05 – 11:30

Introduction from Professor Jeremy Sanders (Chair, Athena Forum)

This session will cover:

The function and benefits of prizes and awards;
The prizes and awards ‘environment’, including the variety of prizes available and institutions involved; and
Aims and structure of today’s workshop.

11:30 – 12:30

Panel discussion chaired by Dr Eugenie Hunsicker (Deputy Chair, Athena Forum)

Panel members: Sylvia Hampartumian (Royal Academy of Engineering), Sandra Macaskill (Royal Society of Chemistry), and Professor Philippa Saunders (University of Edinburgh).

This session will aim to outline the different prizes and awards available at the speakers’ institutions, how application processes work, and address some common myths about prizes and awards.

12:30 – 13:30

Lunch

13:30 – 14:45

Nominations workshop (Introduction from Professor Jeremy Sanders)

This workshop will apply the learning from the morning session and give delegates practical advice on making nominations, followed by delegate Q&A.

14:45 – 15:00

Closing session

15:00 – 15:15

Closing remarks from Professor Jeremy Sanders

This event would be particularly beneficial to heads of STEMM departments, senior STEMM academics, equality and diversity practitioners in STEMM, as well as learned academies and societies.

For queries about the workshop, please contact athena@royalsociety.org

Registrations are closed

Athena Forum Prizes and Awards Workshop