Women in science
Promoting gender equality in science
The FEBS Working Group on Women in Science was established in 2001. Its main objective is to facilitate awareness on the issue of Women in Science, to encourage people to participate actively in promoting gender equality in science, and to support the Constituent Societies of FEBS and academic institutions in FEBS countries on the issue of Women in Science.
Women’s Careers in Science eBook
As part of the FEBS 60th anniversary activities in 2024, FEBS Constituent Societies were invited to highlight outstanding women belonging to their Society for an eBook showing the diverse ways in which women navigate their careers in science alongside personal and family commitments. The resulting book presents 35 engaging accounts of paths in science across different countries, with the aim of inspiring future generations of female scientists.
This project was an initiative by the FEBS Careers of Young Scientists Committee in collaboration with the FEBS Working Group on Women in Science.
View the eBook as a pdf here.
The FEBS | EMBO Women in Science Award
Each year FEBS and EMBO work together to select one outstanding female scientist for the FEBS | EMBO Women in Science Award. The award highlights the major contributions made by female scientists to life sciences research and winners are inspiring role models for future generations of women in science. The award is presented at the annual FEBS Congress, where the awardee delivers a special plenary lecture. More details about the FEBS | EMBO Women in Science Award, including the annual nomination call, are given in the Prizes section of the FEBS website.
FEBS | EMBO Women in Science Award recipients
| 2025: Asifa Akhtar – news post 2024: Anne Ephrussi 2023: Sarah Teichmann 2022: Erin Schuman 2021: Molly Stevens 2020: Elly Tanaka 2019: Sara Linse 2018: Frauke Melchior 2017: Ottoline Leyser |
2016: Fiona Watt 2015: Caroline Dean 2014: Pascale Cossart 2013: Geneviève Almouzni 2012: Susan Gasser 2011: Carol Robinson 2010: Ingrid Grummt 2009: Anne Houdusse 2008: Naama Barkai |
Other activities
For several years, the Working Group has organized a lunch for young female scientists at the FEBS Congress, to discuss career-related issues with senior scientists there. In previous years, workshops on topics related to gender issues in science were held at FEBS Congresses.
To contact the Working Group Chair, Prof. Caroline Dean, please use the Contact section of the website.