2015 WISE Awards Nominations

This year we have added more categories to further celebrate those individuals and organisations that are leading the way for women in STEM

Read the Press Release announcing the Shortlist

#WISEAwards2015

Nominations have now closed. Sign up to our newsletter to find out when nominations are open for the 2016 WISE Awards.

Find out about the Semta Skills Awards 2016 - Semta & WISE Diversity in Engineering Award. Closing date 30 November 2015.

Read the shortlist for the 2015 Awards

The WISE Awards aim to achieve the following objectives:

• Celebrate excellence and the contribution women make to Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Manufacturing in the UK
• Share stories to inspire others, especially those that would otherwise consider that these subjects and careers were not for “People like me”
• Recognise the critical role that organisations and individuals have in influencing the choices of girls and women
• Showcase the winners and mobilise them to actively work with WISE to achieve our goal of '1 million more women in the UK STEM workforce'

WISE Awards Categories

Bloomberg Open Technology Award - SPONSORED BY BLOOMBERG

The majority of businesses rely on open source technology to run their operations and build their products. Yet women make up a tiny fraction of contributers to open source projects. This needs to change. Help us identify and recognise the female role models who are making a difference in open source communities.

Nomination criteria

• a woman who has significantly contributed to an open source software project
• a woman who has a leadership role in an open source software initiative
• a woman who is inspiring others to get involved in open source software

** For the purposes of the award nomination we consider open source = Free software/software libre.

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WISE Girl Award - SPONSORED BY INTEL CORPORATION

For achievements by a girl under 18 years of age whose passion for science and technology is an inspiration to other girls.

Nomination criteria

• Achievements in Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths, Manufacturing & Construction exceeding expectations for their age.
• Evidence of passion/commitment for the subject and overcoming any barriers faced.
• Can demonstrate having inspired or influenced the choices of other girls in subjects where they are under represented
• Ability to be a strong role model for other girls.

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WISE Apprentice Award - SPONSORED BY ROLLS-ROYCE

For a female apprentice in a science, technology, engineering or manufacturing environment with potential to be a national ambassador, inspiring other girls to choose a STEM apprenticeship.

Nomination criteria

• Outstanding contributions to their organisation where the apprentice has exceeded expectations
• A track record of inspiring girls to follow STEM apprenticeships
• Evidence of a commitment to promoting their subject outside of work
• Commitment by the apprentice to their own personal development and progression through skills and learning – being clear on how they will use their apprenticeship as a stepping stone to a long term career
• The ability to be a convincing ambassador
• The nominee should still have at least 6 months of their apprenticeship to complete after Thursday 12 November 2015 (negotiable).

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WISE Inspiring Young People Award - SPONSORED BY ATKINS

This award is for a teacher, mentor, careers advisor, school governor, STEM ambassador or other person who inspires girls to choose STEM subjects, jobs or careers where women are under-represented. We are particularly keen to hear about people who are reaching girls who do not have support and encouragement from their family or community to choose science, technology or engineering.

Nomination criteria

• Going above and beyond what is expected of the role
• Created new opportunities that would otherwise have not been possible –the first stepping stone to a career
• Helped to break barriers

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WISE Hero Award - SPONSORED BY BABCOCK

To celebrate the inspirational story of a woman using a science, technology or engineering qualification to make the world a better place.

Nomination criteria

• Having improved people’s lives through STEM
• Evidence to show the impact (priority will be given to nominations that have already had an impact)
• Inspirational story of women’s contribution to science
• Compelling role model for the WISE Campaign

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WISE Research Award - SPONSORED BY THALES

Celebrating excellence in scientific research; to show the contributions women are making to advances in a scientific or other technical field.

Nomination criteria

• Research has to be cutting edge
• Inspirational story of women’s contribution to scientific research
• Evidence of supporting other women to follow a successful career in scientific research
• Compelling role model for the WISE Campaign

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WISE Campaign Award - SPONSORED BY NETWORK RAIL

This category is for a campaign which has generated an increase in recruits of women into STEM apprenticeships, degree courses, graduate programmes or employment in subjects or sectors where they are under-represented.

Nomination criteria

• A Creative & Imaginative campaign that can be adapted and implemented by others
• Effective targeting
• Relevance of the message
• Impact

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WISE Influence Award - SPONSORED BY THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF ENGINEERING

This category will be for an organisation or an individual who has influenced their sector or organisation to take sustainable action which has improved the participation of women in STEM in an evidenced way.

Nomination criteria

• Evidence of actions taken and the measurable impact
• Showing leadership within an organisation and/or sector

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WISE Tech Start-up Award - SPONSORED BY GOLDMAN SACHS

This category is for a woman within a technology, science, engineering or manufacturing environment who has set up, or helped set up, a business which would inspire the next generation of female entrepreneurs. The award aims to highlight innovation; be it in the business model, the product or service, the business formation, or the way in which technology is used in the business, recognising the creative and entrepreneurial contributions of the individual.

Nomination criteria

• Innovative
• Potential for growth
• Meeting a need
• Story which inspires girls to do technology

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WISE Employer Award - SPONSORED BY AWE

For an employer who has adopted the Ten Steps or a similar framework and can demonstrate a positive impact on the recruitment, retention and progression of women in their organisation, through their supply chain the wider industry.

Nomination criteria

• Systematic approach using the Ten Steps or similar framework, led from the top and embedded within the organisation's culture
• Evidence this approach has made a difference within the organisation
• Evidence that this approach has influenced/ made a positive difference beyond their organisation

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WISE Health & Safety Award - SPONSORED BY AMEC FOSTER WHEELER

The winner of this Award will be able to demonstrate how women can help with this agenda and have improved health and safety within an engineering environment.

Nomination criteria

For a woman who has significantly improved health and safety culture in a science and engineering operating environment e.g. plant/site environment, laboratories, field work. The award is to recognise a sustained programme of activities that has delivered measurable improvements in the health and safety of colleagues.

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WISE Lifetime Achievement Award - SPONSORED BY WINTON CAPITAL

This Award will celebrate a woman who has excelled in an Engineering, Manufacturing, Technology or Science industry. This Award will recognise a woman who is an expert in her field and is an inspiration demonstrating that it is possible for women to reach the top. It is for a woman who has reached the top of her profession and made a significant contribution in a STEM role in industry.

Nomination criteria

• Evidence of significant contribution to their organisation/ and or industry sector
• Achievement of success in a male dominated field
• Evidence to show inspiring/supporting other women to follow in their footsteps

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Range Rover Evoque WISE Scholarships - SPONSORED BY JAGUAR LAND ROVER

Find out about the scholarships. One scholarship will be awarded to an apprentice and one to a girl about to start a STEM course at University.

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