Announcements

Nominations for the Women in Astronomy in Africa Awards 2025

23
Dec

The African Network of Women in Astronomy (AfNWA) is inviting nominations for the 2025 Women in Astronomy in Africa awards. AfNWA is a sub-committee of the African Astronomical Society (AfAS) and is collaborating with the International Science Programme (ISP), Uppsala University, Sweden. The awards aim to recognize and support the scientific achievements and contributions of women in Astronomy in Africa.

Categories

  • For 2025, the award is offered for the category of The Carolina Ödman-Govender early career astronomer (PhD holders within 5 years of PhD)
  • Mid-career astronomer award (above 5 and below 15 years PhD holders)

The awards will include a certificate to be presented during the next general meeting of the African Astronomical Society hosted by the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST), 22 – 27 March 2026, and €1500. Depending on the general AfAS meeting organization, awardees may have an opportunity to present their achievements as a contributed talk (in-person or online).

Eligibility

To qualify for the award, nominees should:

  • Identify as a woman.
  • Working in the field of astronomy on the African continent.
  • Submit a nomination at this link before 25 January 2026. Self-nominations are welcome.
  • The Prof. Carolina Ödman-Govender early career astronomer award is open to PhD holders within five years after their PhD.
  • Mid-career astronomer award is open to PhD holders with experience up to 15 years.

Process

  1. Review panel confirmed and constituted.
  2. Criteria for awards are decided by the AfNWA Board and the review panel and displayed on the AfNWA website.
  3. Nominations collected through an online form.
  4. AfNWA Board follows up to check eligibility of nominations, collate nominations and follow up for any necessary supporting documentation.
  5. The review panel receives the nominations, along with a scoring sheet based on the eligibility and awards criteria.
  6. All reviewers score independently and return their scoring sheets to AfNWA Board for collating.
  7. Reviewers hold a virtual meeting to make final decision.
  8. AfNWA Board approves outcomes.
  9. Outcomes are publicised – emailed to individuals and shared on AfAS website.
  10. Awards are officially presented during the AfAS annual conference in 22-27 March 2026.

 

Timeline

26 Dec. 2025 Call for nominations opens
25 Jan. 2026 Call for nominations closes
31 Jan.  2026 Shortlist agreed
25 Feb.  2026 Review panel meets to decide on the award
15 Feb. 2026 Awards announced
22-27 March 2026 Prize winners who will receive an opportunity to present at the AfAS conference

 

Evaluation Criteria

  1. Prof. Carolina Ödman-Govender early-career astronomer award

1) Scientific Achievements

  • PhD holder, 5 years at most
  • Publication, quality and quantity given the level of the career.
  • Membership of scientific societies AND/OR awards, grants or other recognition received.
  • Any experience with project coordination given the level of the career.
  • Participation in scientific meetings, given talks, etc.

 

2) Contributions to Society

  • Participation in outreach and education activities.
  • Commitment to improving the field (e.g. advocacy for women and girls in science, or more equal practices in peer review, climate change, etc.).
  • Public engagement (e.g. speaking, social media, etc.).

 

  1. Mid-career level award

            1) Scientific Achievements 

  • Publication, quality and quantity given the level of the career.
  • Participation, coordination and leadership of scientific projects
  • Leadership in scientific societies, other recognitions.
  • Leadership and vision in institutional development
  • Patents (if applicable)
  • Students mentored and graduated.
  • Committee and society membership/service to professional community.
  • Participation in scientific meetings, given talks, organised conferences/meetings/training.
  • Teaching and lecturing.

           

            2) Contributions to Society 

  • Outreach and education initiatives.
  • Advocacy and empowerment (e.g. advocacy for women in science, or more equal practices in peer review, climate change, etc.).
  • Public engagement (e.g. speaking, social media, etc.).

 

Review panel

  • Stephan C. Buchert
  • Catherine Cesarsky
  • Ewine van Dishoeck
  • Debra Elmegreen
  • Ernst van Groningen
  • Edward Jurua
  • Samaya Nissanke
  • Mirjana Povic