Since the start of the COVID pandemic, women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) have helped improve our lives, communities and economy for the better.
Now WISE wants to learn, share and celebrate the stories of unsung COVID heroes – to shine a light on women in STEM whose actions and brilliance have helped many through this unprecedented time.
WISE COVID Unsung Heroes Awards winners will receive an invitation to, and recognition at, an exclusive VIP drinks reception in central London in March 2022. The reception will offer an opportunity to network with leaders in the STEM industry, finalists, sponsors and prominent members of the WISE network.
The awards are open to everyone. You do not have to be from a WISE member organisation in order to take part. You can nominate any woman who works in STEM. WISE especially encourages nominations of women from marginalised groups. By nominating your COVID hero or by encouraging others to do so, WISE hopes to spotlight the work of women in STEM and celebrate the diverse roles, backgrounds and identities of those who work in the STEM industry. You can submit as many nominations as you
like!
Award Categories
WISE Tech Award
This award will go to an exceptional woman who developed a new technological or digital solution to solve a societal, medical (not vaccine related) or technological challenge caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The individual will have identified a problem that needed to be solved, then acted to deliver a successful response.
WISE New Educator Award
This award will recognise a woman who developed an innovative approach to education or training, working at any level or in any sphere, to overcome a challenge created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The award is not limited to professional educators and will focus on impact.
WISE Data Solution Award
This category aims to recognise an exceptional woman who created a novel data driven or analytical solution to a problem caused by the pandemic. We encourage women from all sectors to apply. Judges will be looking for innovative solutions likely to inspire other girls or women to follow their example.
WISE D&I Award
This award will recognise an individual, group or organisation that found innovative ways of ensuring that Diversity & Inclusion targets were met during the pandemic. The judges will assess the support and training established by the nominee. They will also examine evidence of its effectiveness in terms of meeting targets and impacting women within a group or organisation.
WISE Community Champion Award
This award seeks to recognise a woman who developed a STEM solution to support community members during the pandemic. The work will have been either as part of their employment or within a voluntary capacity. WISE is looking for new faces and potential STEM role models to champion STEM solutions developed for the public good. The winner will be held up as an example of the ways in which women have contributed to STEM developments with a view to inspiring girls and women to work in the sectors.
WISE Responsive Hero Award
This award will recognise and celebrate a STEM hero whose paid or voluntary work during the pandemic was exceptional. This person’s response will have been over and above their traditional voluntary or paid duties.
How to nominate your COVID hero
- Complete the online nomination form – applications are open until 31st December
- The Nominee will receive a digital certificate confirming they have been nominated for an award
- Shout about your nomination and the difference that’s been made by your hero on social media; check out the media toolkit if you need some inspiration
- Keep an eye out for award updates; award winners will be notified at the end of January 2022
- Award winners will be invited to an exclusive VIP drinks reception for finalists, sponsors and prominent members of the WISE network in Central London in March 2022
Note: You don’t have to be a WISE member to take part. These awards are open to everyone and WISE encourages multiple nominations.