Sony and Nature partner to launch global award celebrating work done by women in technology
The “Sony Women in Technology Award with Nature” recognises and champions the positive change women researchers are making for people and planet
Tokyo | London | Berlin | New York, 6 March 2024
Sony Group Corporation (Sony) and Nature have partnered to launch the “Sony Women in Technology Award with Nature.” The inaugural award, open for applications from today, will recognise three outstanding early to mid-career women researchers in technology (including science, engineering, and mathematics) whose work is driving a positive impact on society and the planet.
With women comprising less than a third of technology roles in the global workforce, Sony and Nature will use this award to champion promising women researchers during crucial phases in their research and career development. The winners of the award will be announced in early 2025. All three winners will each receive a prize of $250,000 U.S. Dollars to support and accelerate work related to their research, and a chance to showcase their research and achievements on nature.com.
Speaking of the awards Hiroaki Kitano, Senior Executive Vice President and CTO, Sony Group Corporation commented:
“At Sony, we build technology for creators. We believe that creators are not just artists, but also scientists and engineers – people who are actively working to build an inspiring future. Technological breakthroughs and innovations to make them work in the real world, solving problems, and exploring new opportunities call for the highest level of creativity. To achieve this creativity, diversity of expertise and experiences is essential. We are excited to launch the “Sony Women in Technology Award with Nature” to support outstanding female researchers at a critical stage in their careers and delighted to work with Nature on this important initiative. We are thrilled to launch this program as part of our broader endeavour across Sony to support diversity in creative and technical fields.“
Magdalena Skipper, Editor-in-Chief, Nature added:
“Research and technology have a key role in setting the agenda in how to address and tackle some of our world’s most pressing challenges. Yet, of those who pursue research as a profession, only around 30% are women, and when it comes to technology, women are less than a fifth of those currently working in this sector. It should be everyone’s responsibility to support women in research and technology. Their contributions bring much-needed diversity and inclusion and deserve to be celebrated. If we are to see a technology sector that continues to innovate and think creatively, we need more women in active research and engineering. At Nature, we are in a unique position to help support that change. Through this new award with Sony, we can provide a global platform to celebrate the work of emerging women researchers and engineers who may otherwise go unheralded. Women who, through their work, are driving positive change for the planet and society need new opportunities to showcase their work and be awarded for it.”
Applications for the award will be accepted from March 6 through May 31, 2024. Submissions will be evaluated by a judging panel of independent, esteemed technologists, scientists and experts from across the globe, including Nature Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Magdalena Skipper as well as Dr. Hiroaki Kitano, CTO of Sony Group Corporation. Each application will be judged on the merits of ambition, innovation, conceptual excellence, impact and social significance.
For more information about the award, as well as full submission guidelines and criteria, please visit: https://womenintechnology.sony.com.
To hear more about the impact and aim of the award,
click here for a video message from Hiroaki Kitano’s and here for a video message from Magdalena Skipper.
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Notes to Editors
Eligibility Details
- The award is open to applicants who self-identify as women and conduct research and development in technology, encompassing domain experts across all fields of mathematics, science, and engineering. An inclusive definition of “woman” and “women” applies, welcoming trans women, genderqueer, and non-binary people.Eligible researchers working within a university, research institute, or university spin-out company are encouraged to apply. This includes part-time and contract workers; a PhD is not a prerequisite in eligibility criteria. All three winners will be selected from early to mid-career stage (less than 25 years from undergraduate degree), with at least one from early career stage (less than 15 years from undergraduate degree).
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Nature/Springer Nature | Corporate Affairs | Theodore HibbertGreaves
theodore.hibbertgreaves@springernature.com
Sony Group Corporation | Corporate Communications Department
