€20k science award targets females

FEMALE scientists are being targeted for sponsorship to help them stick with a career in science — because they’re worth it.

The fellowship awards of €20,000 are part of a drive to end a trend that has seen more than three-quarters of Irish female scientists opt out of a scientific career.

Although women in Ireland account for 50% of science, mathematics and computing PhD places — which is among the highest in Europe — only 9% of our female scientists advance to senior positions. In addition, only 23% of Irish research personnel are women, and of these, six in 10 are in support positions.